Prototype Machinist/ Tool & Die Maker

About Voxel
Voxel is a growing advanced manufacturing company focused on Pulsed Electrochemical Machining (PECM), a manufacturing process used to create high-value components from difficult-to-machine metal alloys. Our mission is to use PECM and related manufacturing technologies to supply critical parts and manufacturing solutions for aerospace, energy, medical, and other demanding industrial customers.

Voxel is not a high-volume commodity machine shop. We work on hard problems, unusual parts, and manufacturing processes that require precision, curiosity, and follow-through. Much of our work involves creating the electrodes, fixtures, tooling, machine components, and prototype hardware that make our PECM process possible. Attention to detail matters. Our ~30 person team owns every step of the technology life-cycle, translating R&D into production under one roof.

Our core values are: Expect Excellence, Do Right By Others, Always Getting Better, and What Would Happen If...?  

The Role
Voxel is seeking a Prototype Machinist/ Tool & Die Maker to help turn complex engineering concepts into real, accurate, working hardware. This role is for someone who can take a drawing, model, sketch, or conversation and figure out how to make the part correctly.

You will program, set up, machine, inspect, and improve complex one-off and low-volume parts used in our internal manufacturing processes. Most of the work will support Voxel's internal needs, including PECM electrodes, tooling, workholding, machine components, test fixtures, and prototype parts. Over time, the role may include precision machining of customer parts.

The ideal candidate does not need to be a 25-year master toolmaker, but they do need real machining experience, strong judgment, and the desire to become excellent. We are open to a strong CNC programmer/machinist who wants to deepen their toolroom and prototype skills, as well as a more experienced tool-and-die or prototype machinist who wants to work on unusual advanced manufacturing problems. This position is full-time based in Knightdale, NC.

About You
You are a strong fit for this role if you:

• Take pride in making difficult parts correctly, not just quickly
• Can work from incomplete information and ask good questions before cutting metal
• Understand that prototype work requires both craftsmanship and disciplined inspection
• Like solving problems at the machine, not just running someone else's process
• Are comfortable working in a small company where priorities can change and everyone helps where needed
• Want to learn new equipment, new processes, new materials, and new inspection methods
• Have the humility to learn from others and the confidence to suggest better ways of doing the work
• Align with our culture values
  
   

Job Description

• Program CNC parts from scratch using Mastercam, based on prints, models, sketches, or engineering direction
• Set up and operate CNC mills and lathes, primarily Okuma equipment today, with the ability to learn additional controllers as Voxel adds equipment
• Machine tight-tolerance components, including features and fits below +/-0.001 inch when required
• Work primarily with stainless steels, along with titanium, aluminum, tool steels, and other engineering materials
• Plan machining sequences, workholding, tool selection, inspection approach, and order of operations for prototype and low-volume parts
• Design and fabricate simple machining fixtures, soft jaws, workholding, setup aids, and gages as needed
• Use manual equipment such as lathes, mills, grinders, saws, and surface grinders to support prototype and toolroom work
• Support Mitsubishi wire EDM work, either directly or by helping prepare parts, fixtures, and inspection plans
• Perform first-piece, in-process, and final inspection using manual inspection tools such as micrometers, calipers, indicators, bore gages, pin gages, height gages, thread gages, surface plates, and related tools
• Use or learn advanced inspection tools including CMMs, vision systems, and other metrology equipment
• Read and interpret technical drawings, GD&T, CAD models, setup sheets, and inspection requirements
• Collaborate with engineers, machinists, technicians, and quality personnel to improve part designs, manufacturability, inspection methods, and shop practices
• Help diagnose machining issues related to tolerance, surface finish, tool wear, workholding, material behavior, or process sequence
• Maintain equipment, tooling, and work areas in a clean, organized, and safe condition
• Support urgent internal or customer-driven projects when needed
• Take on other hands-on technical work as required in a growing advanced manufacturing business
• Schedule: Primarily day shift, with some flexibility in start/end times. Occasional overtime may be needed for urgent customer or internal projects and will be paid accordingly.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of CNC machining experience, preferably including prototype, toolroom, mold/die, fixture, aerospace, medical, or other precision work. 10+ years experience preferred.
• Ability to independently set up and operate CNC mills or lathes, 4/5th axis or EDM work is preferred.
• Ability to create CNC programs from scratch using CAM software; Mastercam experience preferred
• Strong print reading skills, including GD&T
• Experience machining tight-tolerance metal parts, including tolerances below +/-0.001 inch and in materials like stainless steel, titanium, etc.
• Experience using a variety of inspection tools including manual/hand tools as well as CMM or vision systems
• Ability to work safely, carefully, and independently with limited supervision
• Strong attention to detail, integrity, curiosity, and follow-through
• This position requires access to controlled information under U.S. export control laws. Therefore, applicants must be U.S. persons (U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident).
• Submittal of a cover letter describing why you are interested in working at Voxel and our mission.

Why This Role Matters
Voxel's PECM process depends on high-quality electrodes, fixtures, machine components, and prototype hardware. If those parts are not right, the process does not work. This role directly affects how quickly we can develop new applications, solve customer problems, and turn advanced manufacturing ideas into repeatable production capabilities. You will not be making commodity parts all day. You will be helping build the tools, fixtures, and systems that make a new manufacturing process possible.

 

Voxel Innovations Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. The above job description does not constitute a promise or guarantee of employment.