Software Engineer

Kintara; Grandview Heights (OH); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

ForgeNest is seeking a highly collaborative front-end software engineer focused on customer-facing web apps and 3D visualization. You will design modern UIs, build workflow dashboards, and implement interactive 3D tools to manipulate parts and toolpaths.

The role emphasizes fast iteration, strong UX, and integration with AI-driven automation systems. You will work with robotics, manufacturing, and software teams to translate operational needs into scalable frontend features and long-term

Qualifications

• Extensive experience building modern, customer-facing web apps with polished UX/UI.
• Hands-on 3D rendering knowledge and performance-aware front-ends.
• Experience integrating front-ends with backend APIs and CAD-derived data.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop modern customer-facing web applications and operational interfaces
• Build intuitive UX/UI experiences supporting manufacturing workflows
• Create workflow visualization tools and dashboards for manufacturing processes
• Develop 3D interaction tools to manipulate models (rotate, zoom, pan, sectioning)
• Support interfaces tied to AI-driven toolpath and automation systems
• Collaborate with robotics, controls, manufacturing, and software teams
• Translate feedback into scalable software features and workflows
• Integrate APIs, backend systems, and hardware-connected platforms into front-end apps
• Help shape ForgeNest's Universal Operating System direction

Skills

Front-end development

UX/UI design

3D rendering

React

Vue

Angular

Workflow visualization

API integration

WebGL

3D interaction

Tools

Three.js

WebGL

WebGPU

STEP

STL

glTF

REST APIs

Job description

This is a highly collaborative, product-focused front-end software engineering role focused on building the customer-facing software systems, powering a next-generation manufacturing platform.

The priority for this position is front-end development, UX/UI, workflow visualization, 3D rendering, and operational software experiences. The ideal candidate will bring strong experience building intuitive, polished, user-facing applications that simplify highly technical manufacturing workflows.

A core part of this role is displaying 3D models of parts, dies, and toolpaths and letting users manipulate them directly in the application. Hands-on experience with 3D graphical rendering is required.

You'll help develop the software layer that enables operators, engineers, and customers to interact with an AI-driven forging platform, proprietary Universal Operating System, and automation workflows. This includes helping create systems that support AI-assisted toolpath generation, interactive 3D visualization of parts, toolpaths, and forging cells, and long-term near-autonomous manufacturing initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop modern customer-facing web applications and operational interfaces
• Build intuitive UX/UI experiences supporting advanced manufacturing and automation workflows
• Create workflow visualization tools and operational dashboards for manufacturing processes
• Develop 3D interaction tools that let users manipulate models directly, including rotating, zooming, panning, sectioning, measuring, and annotating geometry
• Support development of interfaces tied to AI-driven toolpath and automation systems
• Collaborate closely with robotics, controls, manufacturing, and software engineering teams
• Translate customer and operational feedback into scalable software features and workflows
• Integrate APIs, backend systems, and hardware-connected platforms into front-end applications
• Help shape the usability, functionality, and long-term direction of ForgeNest's proprietary Universal Operating System.

Who You Are

• Most effective building intuitive, polished, customer-facing software systems
• Product-minded developer focused heavily on UX/UI, workflows, and usability
• Comfortable collaborating directly with engineers, operators, customers, and leadership teams
• Strong communicator capable of translating technical workflows into clean user experiences
• Curious and resourceful with strong independent problem-solving ability
• Adaptable and quick to ramp up on new technologies, domains, and projects
• Motivated by building software that directly impacts real-world industrial and manufacturing systems

What You Bring

• Strong front-end software development experience with emphasis on UX/UI and customer-facing applications
• Experience building intuitive, workflow-oriented user interfaces
• Strong understanding of usability, workflow design, and customer interaction principles
• Experience with modern front-end frameworks such as React, Vue, or Angular
• API integration and backend connectivity experience
• Ability to collaborate directly with engineering teams, operators, and end users
• Experience building operational dashboards, workflow tools, or visualization platforms preferred
• Hands-on experience with 3D graphical rendering, including building interfaces that display and let users manipulate 3D models (e.g., Three.js, React Three Fiber, WebGL/WebGPU)
• Understanding of 3D graphics fundamentals such as cameras, lighting, materials, and rendering performance
• Experience working with CAD-derived geometry and formats such as STEP, STL, or glTF preferred
• Comfortable operating in highly collaborative startup-style environments

What Success Looks Like

• Workflow Development: Within the first 6 months, you've delivered meaningful improvements to software usability, operational workflows, or customer-facing functionality
• User Experience: Operators, engineers, and customers actively rely on and enjoy using the interfaces and workflows you help build
• 3D Visualization: Users can view and manipulate parts, toolpaths, and forging processes through clear, responsive 3D views that make complex geometry and machine behavior easy to understand
• System Integration: Front-end applications integrate effectively with hardware, controls, robotics, and backend systems
• Collaboration: Engineering and operations teams involve you early in workflow, tooling, and platform discussions
• Platform Growth: You contribute directly toward the long-term development of ForgeNest's proprietary Universal Operating System and near-autonomous manufacturing ecosystem

Experience

• 5-10+ years of professional software development experience
• Strong front-end development experience building modern web applications and customer-facing platforms
• Experience with UX/UI design principles and workflow-driven application development
• Experience with modern front-end frameworks such as React, Vue, or Angular
• Experience integrating APIs and backend services into front-end applications
• Ability to collaborate with technical and non-technical stakeholders to translate operational needs into software solutions
• Demonstrated experience with 3D graphical rendering (WebGL, Three.js, or similar) in a production application
• Experience with CAD/CAM visualization is a strong plus
• Experience within manufacturing, industrial automation, robotics, or hardware-adjacent environments is helpful but not required
• Startup or fast-paced product development experience preferred

Why Join ForgeNest

ForgeNest is a venture-backed startup building an AI-driven, software-forward forging platform designed to modernize one of the world's most critical manufacturing industries.

By combining commercially available hardware with proprietary software, AI-driven toolpath generation, and a next-generation Universal Operating System, ForgeNest is transforming how forged metal parts are designed and manufactured across defense, aerospace, energy, maritime, and industrial markets.

This is an opportunity to join a small, highly technical, high-impact team developing dual-use technology with real-world applications where your work will directly influence the future of advanced manufacturing, automation, and industrial technology.

Export Control Requirements

This position may involve access to technology or technical data subject to U.S. export control regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Where required, the company will determine whether an export license or other government authorization is needed for a selected candidate and may apply for one. Information about export control status will be requested only to comply with these regulations and will not be used to discriminate on the basis of citizenship, immigration status, or national origin.