CNC Programmer

Darwin Recruitment; Alameda (CA); On-site; USD 170,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Health, vision, dental

401k

Hot lunch daily

Quarterly off-sites

Frequent happy hours

Job summary

Darwin Recruitment in Alameda, California, is seeking a Production CNC Programmer to join a small, skilled team supporting full-cycle rocket production. You will program CNC machines, interpret drawings, and lead lights-out machining while mentoring operators.

The role requires 10+ years in CNC, strong NX CAM experience, and GD&T proficiency. Competitive salary with equity, benefits, and a collaborative, agile environment.

Qualifications

• 10+ years as a CNC machinist in a fast-paced shop.
• 2+ years with NX CAM; programming and running 5-axis mills and related machines.
• Mentoring setup and operator personnel with pre-programmed jobs.
• Fluent in shop drawings and GD&T; able to calculate feeds and speeds.
• Capability to lift 40 lbs or more; manual handling as required.

Responsibilities

• Programme production CNC machines using CAM NX; select tools and calculate feeds/speeds.
• Interpret drawings; select machine tools, workholding and inspection equipment.
• Use pallet sequences and live tooling to drive a lights-out workflow.
• Provide setup guidance and pre-programmed jobs to the team.
• Set up and operate CNCs; assist with tool setup and proofing.
• Operate manual milling/lathes and inspection equipment as needed.
• Collaborate with QC, engineering and vendors to resolve issues.
• Identify bottlenecks and improve shop efficiency.

Skills

CNC Machining

5-axis Milling

Mentoring

Feeds & Speeds

GD&T

Shop Drawings

Inspection Tools

Vendor Coordination

Lifting / Handling

Tools

NX CAM

Mastercam

CATIA

ESPRIT

Job description

Production CNC Programmer

Alameda, California

This is a launch company applying an agile approach to space launch, building on over a decade of technology development in rocket propulsion, structures and avionics. They deliver routine access to Earth orbit for enterprises launching services powered by small satellites.

Their headquarters sits in Alameda, between San Francisco and Oakland. The campus supports full cycle rocket production, from design through manufacturing and test, plus mission control.

The production team is a small, highly skilled group running multi axis lights out cell systems. They take raw material to finished form against dimensional requirements and schedule constraints, with the goal of producing parts faster, cheaper and at higher quality than any outside shop.

This role reports directly to the Production Shop Manager.

What you will do

• Programme production CNC machines using CAM software such as NX, making tool selections and calculating feeds and speeds
• Interpret dimensioned part drawings and select the correct machine tools, workholding and inspection equipment
• Use pallet sequences, tool life counters, bar feeders and tool break detection to drive a lights out approach to machining
• Lead production on your machines by keeping setup and operator personnel supplied with pre programmed jobs and setup guidance
• Set up and operate CNC machines, or hand off to support personnel, including new tool setup and workholding, proofing programs and loading parts
• Operate manual metal cutting machinery including knee mills, manual lathes, drill presses, surface grinders and saws
• Inspect in process parts with handheld tools, working with the Quality Control lab where needed
• Work with shop staff, Quality Control, engineering personnel and machine vendors
• Identify bottlenecks and recurring issues, and offer solutions to improve shop effectiveness

Who this suits

• Someone with 10 or more years as a CNC machinist, used to a fast paced shop
• 2 or more years with NX CAM, and experience programming and running 5 axis mills, mill turns, horizontal mills, and lathes with live tooling
• Someone who has kept setup and operator personnel supplied with pre programmed jobs, and is comfortable mentoring team members relying on their direction
• Someone who makes independent priority calls on scheduling machines and operators based on scope of work
• Fluent in shop drawings and GD&T, able to calculate feeds and speeds and solve geometry problems, and confident with calipers, micrometers, hard gauges and surface plate inspection
• Comfortable working with machine vendors, CAM vendors and other technical vendors to resolve machine issues
• Able to lift 40lbs or more, push heavy carts or crates, and stretch, reach, kneel or crawl as tasks require
• Useful extras: Mastercam, CATIA or ESPRIT, high mix job shop experience, fabrication including welding, sheet metal, waterjet or assembly, engineering or design training, lean certifications, wire, sinker or drill EDM

What you get

• $170,000 to $200,000.
• Equity as part of the package.
• Health, vision, dental and 401k.
• Hot lunch every day, quarterly off sites and frequent happy hours.

This role is subject to US export control regulations, so it is contingent on US citizenship, lawful permanent residence, protected individual status, or eligibility to obtain the required authorisations from the Department of State.