Manufacturing Engineer, CNC

About Mach Industries

Founded in 2023, Mach Industries is a rapidly growing defense technology company focused on developing next-generation autonomous defense platforms. At the core of our mission is the commitment to delivering scalable, decentralized defense systems that enhance the strategic capabilities of the United States and its allies. With a workforce of approximately 350 employees, we operate with startup agility and ambition.

Our vision is to redefine the future of warfare through cutting-edge manufacturing, innovation at speed, and unwavering focus on national security. We are dedicated to solving the next generation of warfare with lethal systems that deter kinetic conflict and protect global security.

The Role

Mach Industries is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer, CNC to own the manufacturing strategy and producibility of complex CNC-machined hardware from development through production.

This role sits at the intersection of design engineering, CAM programming, machining, quality, and production . You will be responsible for determining how parts should be manufactured, identifying the major technical risks in the machining process, and driving the larger process changes required to improve producibility, quality, cost, and scalability.

This is not primarily a CAM programming or machine-operating role. Dedicated CAM programmers will develop CNC programs, and machinists will execute setups and run parts. The Manufacturing Engineer is responsible for providing the technical direction that connects those functions—defining the manufacturing approach, challenging existing methods, resolving cross-functional problems, and ensuring the complete process is capable of meeting program requirements.

You will work at both the part level and manufacturing-system level , diving deeply into CNC technology, tooling, workholding, probing, machine capability, automation, process monitoring, and inspection feedback to continuously improve how Mach manufactures hardware.

Key Responsibilities

• Own CNC manufacturing strategy and producibility for assigned hardware and manufacturing projects.
• Partner with design engineering early in the product lifecycle to influence geometry, tolerances, material selection, datum structures, and other design decisions that affect manufacturability.
• Define the overall machining approach, including operation breakdown, machine platform, setup strategy, datum strategy, workholding concept, tooling approach, inspection strategy, and process-control requirements.
• Provide technical direction to CAM programmers while allowing programmers to own the detailed creation and maintenance of CNC programs.
• Work with machinists during prove-out and production to understand process behavior, identify failure modes, and determine required engineering changes.
• Lead larger CNC process improvements involving changes to machining strategy, tooling, workholding, probing, sequencing, machine utilization, or process architecture.
• Drive first-article and process-development activities from initial manufacturing strategy through a stable, repeatable production process.
• Identify and resolve manufacturing risks related to chatter, distortion, tool wear, thermal behavior, dimensional drift, surface finish, workholding, machine capability, and process variation.
• Use inspection results, machine data, spindle load, probing results, tool-life data, and operator feedback to understand process performance and prioritize improvements.
• Develop and validate strategies for in-process probing, tool monitoring, automated compensation, inspection feedback, and other forms of closed-loop process control.
• Evaluate new CNC technologies, machines, cutting tools, workholding systems, monitoring technologies, software, and automation capabilities.
• Lead technical investigations and manufacturing-development projects that improve CNC capability across the organization.
• Establish manufacturing standards and engineering best practices that can be reused across parts, programs, machines, and facilities.
• Develop mature manufacturing processes that can transition from Huntington Beach development into repeatable production with clearly defined technical requirements and process controls.

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in CNC manufacturing engineering, machining, applications engineering, process engineering, or advanced manufacturing.
• Strong practical understanding of CNC milling, turning, 5-axis machining, and/or mill-turn manufacturing.
• Demonstrated ability to define machining strategies and solve complex manufacturing problems at the process level.
• Strong understanding of cutting tools, workholding, feeds and speeds, material removal, machine dynamics, and machining fundamentals.
• Experience working closely with CAM programmers and the ability to review, challenge, and provide technical direction on machining approaches without needing to personally own day-to-day CAM programming.
• Hands-on experience supporting CNC process development, prove-out, troubleshooting, and production improvement on the shop floor.
• Ability to diagnose issues involving tool wear, chatter, dimensional variation, distortion, thermal effects, surface finish, fixture behavior, and other machining-related failure modes.
• Working knowledge of CAM systems such as NX CAM, hyperMILL, Mastercam, ESPRIT, Fusion, or similar.
• Ability to read engineering drawings, interpret GD&T, understand datum structures and critical features, and connect product requirements to manufacturing strategy.
• Strong cross-functional communication skills and the ability to lead technical decisions across design engineers, CAM programmers, machinists, quality, and production teams.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment spanning prototype development, process maturation, and production ramp.

Preferred Qualifications

• Aerospace, defense, propulsion, turbine, automotive, medical, semiconductor, or other high-precision manufacturing experience.
• Experience performing design-for-manufacturing and producibility reviews for complex machined components.
• Experience developing manufacturing concepts for new parts, including operation sequencing, machine selection, workholding, tooling, and inspection strategies.
• Experience machining difficult materials such as Inconel, titanium, stainless steels, high-strength steels, or nickel-based alloys.
• Experience with on-machine probing, tool setting, inspection macros, automated offset compensation, or closed-loop machining.
• Experience with VERICUT, machine simulation, digital twins, or advanced CAM verification workflows.
• Experience with machine and tool monitoring technologies such as TMAC, spindle-load monitoring, vibration monitoring, adaptive control, or similar systems.
• Deep knowledge of cutting-tool selection, toolholder systems, tool balancing, presetting, and tool-life management.
• Experience developing fixture, datum, and workholding strategies for complex or high-precision components.
• Experience using CMM data, SPC, capability studies, or inspection feedback to drive machining-process improvements.
• Experience evaluating or implementing new CNC equipment, automation, manufacturing software, tooling systems, or process-monitoring technologies.
• Experience developing processes for lights-out or low-operator-intervention machining.
• Experience transitioning CNC manufacturing processes from development into scalable production.

Additional Requirements

• Available to work extended hours and weekends as needed

ITAR Requirements

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.

Engineer

$105,000—$140,000 USD

Senior Engineer

$140,000—$180,000 USD

At Mach, we believe that compensation is more than just a paycheck. It's a comprehensive package designed to reward the time, skills, and expertise you bring to our team. We are committed to offering competitive compensation that is equitable, transparent, and aligned with market trends.

Key Elements of Our Compensation Philosophy:

• Competitive Salaries : We continuously research market rates to ensure our salaries are competitive with those in our industry and geographic location.
• Performance-Based Incentives : Our bonus structure is tied to both individual and company performance, creating a win-win scenario that motivates our team members to excel.
• Equity Participation : We offer stock options or equity to employees, ensuring that you share in the success and growth of the company.
• Benefit Packages : Our benefits include healthcare, dental and vision plans, retirement savings, and paid time off, because we understand that your well-being extends beyond the office.
• Professional Development : We allocate funds for continuing education, training, and career growth.
• Transparency : We are committed to openness about our compensation tiers and how decisions are made, ensuring trust and mutual respect.

By joining Mach, you’re not just accepting a job—you’re becoming a key part of a team that values your contributions and invests in your growth. Together, we aim to create a rewarding environment that sets the stage for long-term success.

Data Privacy
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Disclosures

This position may require access to information protected under U.S. export control laws and regulations, including the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Please note that any offer for employment may be conditioned on authorization to receive software or technology controlled under these U.S. export control laws and regulations without sponsorship for an export license.

Mach participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary offers may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and training, critical skills, and business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in most offers and are considered part of Mach’s total compensation package. Mach offers benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, and opportunities for professional development.

Mach is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will be treated with respect and receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, uniform service, Veteran status, age, or any other protected characteristic per federal, state, or local law, including those with a criminal history, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws. If you’d like to defend the American way of life, please reach out!