Sr. Manufacturing Engineer- CNC Programmer

Stratolaunch is a technology accelerator that engineers operationally realistic testing at Mach 5+. Our air-launched, Talon testbeds are reusable, cost-effective platforms that enable routine access to the hypersonic environment. We deliver flight data critical to validating system performance and achieving rapid technology deployment. Together with our customers, we drive innovations that are imperative to advancing national security.

To help achieve these efforts, Stratolaunch is seeking a Senior Manufacturing Engineer – CNC Programmer to support the development, implementation, and optimization of CNC machining process for flight hardware, development hardware, and tooling while helping establish our internal machining capability. In this role, you will be responsible for the following:

• Develop safe, repeatable, and efficient CNC processes for production flight hardware, development hardware, prototypes, tooling, fixtures, and rework.
• Own CNC programming from manufacturing planning through simulation, prove-out, release, revision, and optimization.
• Support the launch and continued development of the internal machine shop.
• Collaborate with machinists, manufacturing engineering, design engineering, quality, production planning, procurement, and external suppliers.
• Improve machining quality, cycle time, process stability, machine utilization, and unattended production capability.
• Serve as the technical authority for CNC programming, tooling, workholding, simulation, and machining-process troubleshooting.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential responsibility satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• 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.

QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS

Required Qualifications:

• Extensive hands-on CNC machining and programming experience.
• Demonstrated ability to develop a complete machining process from released engineering data through production prove-out.
• Advanced knowledge of multi-axis machining, cutting tools, workholding, simulation, and CNC controls.
• Ability to work independently and communicate effectively with machinists, engineers, planners, quality personnel, and production leadership.
• Demonstrated experience programming complex 3-axis and multi-axis machined components.
• Demonstrated experience developing and proving out 5-axis CNC programs.
• Experience creating operation sequences, selecting tooling and workholding, performing simulation, and supporting production prove-out.
• Experience interpreting CAD models, engineering drawings, specifications, and GD&T.
• Experience machining or programming aluminum and difficult-to-machine materials such as titanium, stainless steel, or nickel-based alloys.
• Experience with Haas, FANUC, or comparable industrial CNC controls.
• Ability and willingness to obtain and maintain a security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Active security clearance.
• Aerospace, defense, spaceflight, or other high-reliability manufacturing experience.
• CNC turning, live-tool turning, Y-axis turning, or mill-turn experience.
• Experience with palletized systems and unattended or lights-out machining.
• Experience with probing, tool measurement, tool-life monitoring, and tool-breakage detection.
• Experience machining Inconel, titanium, tungsten, thin-wall parts, or other challenging materials.

Required Skills:

• Advanced proficiency with Mastercam, including multi-axis programming, verification, and machine simulation.
• Strong knowledge of CNC milling, multi-axis machining, cutting tools, workholding, speeds and feeds, and material behavior.
• Working knowledge of CNC turning and live-tool machining.
• Ability to interpret GD&T, engineering drawings, CAD models, and manufacturing specifications.
• Ability to create clear setup sheets, tool lists, and operator instructions.
• Ability to evaluate posted NC code and understand common Haas and FANUC functions.
• Strong program-verification, troubleshooting, and root-cause analysis skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication, organization, and configuration-control skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and take ownership from initial planning through stable production.

Preferred Skills:

• Proficiency with model preparation, fixture design, and manufacturing-model development—NX and SolidWorks.
• Working knowledge of NX CAM and NX manufacturing simulation.
• Knowledge of pallet scheduling, probing, sister-tool strategies, tool-life management, and unattended-machining recovery.
• Experience using Teamcenter, Jira, or similar PLM and workflow systems.
• Ability to provide credible machining-hour estimates and technical input for capacity planning and make-versus-buy decisions.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Sr. Level ($117,000–$153,500): Bachelor’s degree (B.S.) from accredited institution and 5–10 years of engineering experience, OR equivalent combination of education and experience.

Special remarks regarding work environment, if applicable

This position is located in Mojave, CA.

Travel, as needed, to support the department; travel estimated to be <5%.

Base salary and leveling are established on a case-by-case basis. We consider several factors to ensure a competitive offer, including your location, educational background, and a comprehensive assessment of the skills and experience demonstrated during your interviews.

• Healthcare ( medical, dental, vision, prescription drugs )
• Paid Maternity and Parental Leave
• 50% company match per contributed dollar into 401(k) savings plan, up to $11,500
• Tuition reimbursement

This position may involve the operation of company vehicles as part of assigned duties.

Mojave Air & Spaceport is located just outside of Lancaster/Palmdale and is only 95 miles north of Los Angeles. The area offers both affordability and central access to a variety of California's best attractions and landmarks.

Not much for the outdoors and prefer the city life? You’re within a half day’s drive or less of Los Angeles, San Diego, Las Vegas, and San Francisco where you can find a variety of live entertainment, museums, tours, and historical sight-seeing. Theme parks are in abundance, with Six Flags Magic Mountain, Disneyland, and Knotts Berry Farm ready to meet the needs of rollercoaster thrill seekers.

Food and drink fanatics are in a haven of delectable choices. Wine aficionados will also find easy access to some of the state’s best vino in Paso Robles, Santa Ynez, and even more locally in Tehachapi and Agua Dulce. Beer fanatics will find some of the best West Coast IPAs at Bravery and Lucky Luke’s in Lancaster. Any food option you crave is covered, and we always recommend the authentic and fresh Mexican food that you won’t find anywhere else in the United States.

Stratolaunch is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity at our company. We encourage people from all walks of life to apply, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by law. Our management team does not tolerate discrimination or harassment at any point during our employees’ and applicants’ time with us, especially with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities, and general treatment during employment. For purposes of transparency, U.S. Citizenship may be required for some positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.

Equal Employment Opportunity is the Law :