CNC Programmer (Mill, Lathe & Swiss)

General Matter; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 96,000; Full time

Job summary

General Matter is seeking a highly skilled CNC Programmer to develop and optimize programs for 5-axis milling, CNC turning, and Swiss-type lathes with live tooling. This role focuses on transitioning from prototype development to scalable production in a regulated manufacturing environment.

You will translate complex engineering designs into robust machining strategies, drive continuous improvement in cycle time, tooling performance, repeatability, and manufacturing scalability, while mentoring

Qualifications

• 5+ years of CNC programming experience, including hands-on programming of 5-axis milling and Swiss-type lathes with live tooling.
• Proficiency with a major CAM package — Mastercam, Esprit, GibbsCAM, or Fusion 360.
• Strong working knowledge of G-code/M-code, control platforms (Fanuc, Siemens, Citizen/Star/Tsugami), and post-processor behavior.
• Ability to read and interpret complex engineering drawings and apply GD&T.
• Demonstrated experience machining precision components in metals such as stainless steels, titanium, aluminum, and/or high-temperature alloys.

Responsibilities

• Develop, prove out, and optimize CNC programs for 5-axis machining centers, CNC lathes, and Swiss-type lathes with live tooling.
• Translate models and drawings (GD&T) into manufacturing processes — select tooling, fixturing, cutting strategies, and sequences.
• Generate and maintain CAM programs, post-processors, tool libraries, and setup sheets; verify programs through simulation/verification.

Skills

5-axis milling

CNC turning

Swiss-type lathes

live tooling

Tools

Mastercam

Esprit

GibbsCAM

Fusion 360

Job description

We are designing, building, and operating the world’s lowest-cost enrichment services, here in the US.

In the process, we are restoring America’s ability to produce nuclear fuel to power AI, advanced manufacturing and critical industries our country relies on to remain competitive.

Fuel drives the cost of advanced reactor electricity production, and enrichment drives the cost of the fuel that advanced reactors consume. Reliable, low-cost enrichment is the catalyst for the nuclear Renaissance now under way.

Our mission is to make nuclear not only the cleanest and safest source of baseload power, but also the most affordable. We believe abundant nuclear energy will lead to a post-scarcity society.

We were incubated inside Founders Fund, like Anduril and Palantir before us, and are backed by over a dozen of the world's top venture capital firms.

Our lean, world-class team of engineers and operators is applying a first-principles approach to solving the problem of nuclear fuel production.

We are a mission-driven company with a culture of urgency, accountability, and transparency.

Help us build a high-energy society by making the cleanest, safest form of baseload energy the most affordable.

CNC Programmer (Mill, Lathe & Swiss)

General Matter is seeking a highly skilled CNC Programmer with deep expertise in 5-axis milling, CNC turning, and Swiss-type lathes with live tooling. This role is responsible for developing and optimizing machining programs that support the transition from prototype development to scalable production of high-precision components in a regulated manufacturing environment.

The ideal candidate is both highly technical and process-oriented, capable of translating complex engineering designs into robust machining strategies while driving continuous improvement in cycle time, tooling performance, repeatability, and manufacturing scalability.

Key Responsibilities

Develop, prove out, and optimize CNC programs for 5-axis machining centers, CNC lathes, and Swiss-type lathes with live/driven tooling and sub-spindle operations.

Translate engineering models and drawings (GD&T) into manufacturing processes — selecting tooling, work-holding/fixturing, cutting strategies, and machining sequences.

Generate and maintain CAM programs, post-processors, tool libraries, and setup sheets; verify programs through simulation/verification before floor release.

Lead first-article runs and process prove-out; drive cycle-time reduction, tool-life improvement, and scrap reduction without compromising tolerance or surface finish.

Author and maintain process documentation — setup sheets, work instructions, tooling lists — to a standard that supports traceability and repeatability.

Partner with Manufacturing and Quality Engineering on tolerance feasibility, inspection planning, and first-article inspection (FAI / AS9102) requirements.

Support equipment commissioning and capability studies as new machine tools are installed during facility ramp-up.

Mentor machinists and operators on setup, in-process adjustment, and program intent.

Identify and recommend tooling, software, and process improvements to support the transition from prototype to rate production.

Basic Qualifications

5+ years of CNC programming experience, including hands-on programming of 5-axis milling and Swiss-type lathes with live tooling.

Proficiency with a major CAM package — Mastercam, Esprit, GibbsCAM, or Fusion 360 — including multi-axis and mill-turn modules.

Strong working knowledge of G-code/M-code, control platforms (e.g., Fanuc, Siemens, Citizen/Star/Tsugami Swiss controls), and post-processor behavior.

Ability to read and interpret complex engineering drawings and apply GD&T.

Demonstrated experience machining precision components in metals such as stainless steels, titanium, aluminum, and/or high-temperature/superalloys.

Practical knowledge of work-holding, fixturing, tooling selection, and feeds/speeds optimization.

Comfort working in a documented quality environment with full part traceability.

Preferred Skills and Experience

Experience in a regulated manufacturing environment — NQA-1, AS9100, or ISO 9001 — preferably nuclear, aerospace, or defense.

Experience supporting prototype-to-production transitions or new-facility/equipment commissioning.

Familiarity with mill-turn machining and macro/parametric (custom macro) programming.

Working knowledge of CMM/inspection processes and first-article inspection (FAI).

Exposure to MES/ERP-driven shop-floor systems and digital process documentation.

Lean manufacturing or continuous-improvement experience (cycle-time reduction, SMED, scrap reduction).

Journeyman machinist background or formal machining/CNC technical credential.

Additional Requirements

• Physical effort including standing, lifting, and carrying equipment up to 50 lbs. unassisted.
• Must be able to work all required shift hours, overtime and/or weekends as needed

Equal Opportunity Employer

General Matter is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with General Matter is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

Compensation and Benefits

Pay range: $40.00 - $70.00/hour

Compensation bands are determined by role, level, location, and alignment with market data. Individual level and base pay is determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on job-related skills, education, experience, technical capabilities and internal equity. Please note that the stated salary range is an estimate and may be adjusted based on market conditions, business needs, or other factors. In addition to base salary, for full-time hires, you may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of stock options, and access to medical, vision & dental coverage as well as access to a 401(k) retirement plan.

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