Senior CNC Programmer & Manufacturing Engineer - Lights-Out

Stratolaunch; California, Northern (MO, KY); Hybrid; USD 117,000 - 154,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid maternity leave

401(k) match

Job summary

Stratolaunch is seeking aSenior Manufacturing Engineer - CNC Programmer to develop, implement, and optimize CNC machining processes for flight hardware and tooling at our Mojave, CA facility.

You will own CNC programming from planning through release, collaborate across functions, and drive improvements in cycle time, tool life, and machine utilization while supporting a growing internal machine shop.

Qualifications

• Extensive hands-on CNC machining and programming experience.

Responsibilities

• Create, verify, release, and maintain CNC programs using Mastercam 2026.
• Develop programs for 3-axis, 3+1, 3+2, simultaneous 5-axis, CNC turning, and live-tool machining.
• Support programming for Matsuura, Haas, and ProtoTRAK equipment using FANUC and Haas controls.
• Develop machining processes for aluminum, titanium, Inconel, stainless steel, plastics, composites, and other specialty materials.
• Review CAD models, drawings, specifications, GD&T, and model-based definition requirements.
• Develop manufacturing plans, operation sequences, setup strategies, tool lists, setup sheets, and operator instructions.
• Select cutting tools, toolholders, workholding, probing strategies, machining parameters, and inspection approaches.
• Design or support the design of fixtures, soft jaws, pallets, tombstones, and other workholding.
• Verify programs using Mastercam Verify, Machine Simulation, NX simulation, or other approved methods.
• Support machinists during first-piece setup, program prove-out, First Article Inspection, and production ramp-up.
• Troubleshoot tool wear, chatter, distortion, dimensional variation, surface finish, chip control, probing, and machine-performance issues.
• Optimize programs for cycle time, tool life, repeatability, machine utilization, and unattended operation.
• Develop palletized and lights-out machining strategies, including tool-life management, probing, redundant tooling, and process-recovery planning.
• Provide technical input to the machine shop lead and production planner regarding machining hours, capacity, schedule risk, supplier quotes, and make-versus-buy decisions.
• Support occasional overtime, weekend work, off-shift production, and travel as required.

Skills

CNC programming

5-axis machining

multi-axis machining

tooling selection

fixture design

GD&T

Machining process optimization

communication

problem solving

security clearance readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Tools

Mastercam

NX CAM

NX Simulation

SolidWorks

Haas controls

Job description

Stratolaunch is seeking aSenior Manufacturing Engineer - CNC Programmer to develop, implement, and optimize CNC machining processes for flight hardware and tooling at our Mojave, CA facility.

You will own CNC programming from planning through release, collaborate across functions, and drive improvements in cycle time, tool life, and machine utilization while supporting a growing internal machine shop.