Senior CNC Programmer (MasterCam)

Wild West Systems is an American defense technology company with the mission to equip the civilized world with superior and affordable arms and advanced technologies - to dominate the battlefield of present and future threats, in a new era of asymmetrical warfare. We fuse versatile domain experience with novel approach and creativity to change the paradigm of defense - both for military arenas and civilian soft targets. We're an early stage startup, rapidly moving and growing.

General Qualifications (all roles):

• Deep love for America and passion for Wild West System's mission.
• Self-starter, capable of performing tasks as an individual as well as working well in a team.
• Servant-leader mentality, extreme ownership, willing to participate in different and rapidly changing projects in a dynamic environment. Bias for action.
• ITAR REQUIREMENT: To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.

Position Overview

We are seeking a hands-on Senior CNC Machinist who can program, set up, and run machines independently, not just operate them.

You will own parts end-to-end: CAM programming, tooling strategy, setup, machining, and delivery. This is a fast-paced, high-ownership role supporting both rapid prototyping and small production runs. Occasional late nights or weekends may be required when mission-critical deadlines arise.

If you're the machinist people call when something "impossible" needs to be cut tomorrow, this role is for you.

Responsibilities

• Program complex components in Mastercam, including multi-surface geometry, miniature features, and non-traditional toolpaths
• Set up and validate machines for lights-out / unattended operation, including tooling strategy, probing, workholding, chip evacuation, and in-process inspection to ensure safe, repeatable runs.
• Independently set up and run multiple machines, including: CNC Lathe (Okuma), 5-Axis CNC Mill (DMG), Swiss Lathe, Manual Lathe and Mill
• Select tooling and fixtures; determine optimal feeds, speeds, and machining strategies
• Support prototype builds and short-run production manufacturing
• Troubleshoot machining issues quickly and keep machines running with minimal downtime
• Order tools and materials as needed to eliminate bottlenecks
• Adapt to daily changes and unexpected challenges in a startup manufacturing environment
• Perform and document First Article Inspections (FAI) and in-process inspections
• Maintain part traceability, material pedigree, and basic production documentation
• Partner with engineering to provide Design-for-Manufacturing (DFM) feedback and improve manufacturability
• Support continuous improvement of machining processes, tooling strategies, and shop standards

Required Skills and Experience

• 7+ years of hands-on CNC machining experience across multiple platforms
• Demonstrated Mastercam programming experience (beyond simple edits)
• Ability to supervise and manage multiple machines simultaneously
• Strong experience holding tight tolerances in high-precision environments
• Proven self-starter with a "get it done" mindset and high ownership mentality
• Experience working in or alongside AS9100 / ISO-quality manufacturing environments
• Strong understanding of material specifications, certifications, and lot traceability
• Preferred Skills & Experience
• Background in aerospace, defense, robotics, or other high-tolerance industries
• Experience with multi-axis machining and complex assemblies
• Familiarity with prototype-driven or rapid-iteration manufacturing environments
• Comfort producing repeatable, production-ready parts-not just one-off prototypes
• Interest in helping define machining standards as the manufacturing operation scales

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Background in aerospace, defense, robotics, or other high-tolerance industries
• Experience with multi-axis machining and complex assemblies
• Familiarity with prototype-driven or rapid-iteration manufacturing environments

Work Location:

This role is assigned onsite at our Leander, TX facility.

Benefits :

We are always looking for good people! Wild West Systems is committed to providing its employees with competitive salaries and benefits in order to increase employee satisfaction and productivity.

Health Insurance:100% coverage for employees, 90% for spouse/family

Vision and Dental: 100% Coverage

Important Information:

All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, local, or international law.

As part of the application process, you are expected to be on camera during interviews and assessments. We reserve the right to take your picture to verify your identity and prevent fraud.

If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to our Talent Team at View email address on click.appcast.io

This company uses E-Verify to confirm each employee's work authorization.

***We do not work with staffing companies. Direct applicants only***