Machine Shop Manager

Company Overview
ACS (Allen Control Systems) is a defense technology company building precision robotic systems for the United States and its allies. Founded by two former U.S. Navy electrical engineers with deep experience in robotics and software, ACS brings together AI, computer vision, precision motion, and advanced hardware to solve complex defense challenges across land, air, and maritime environments.

Our flagship product, Bullfrog, is an autonomous precision weapon system that transforms existing weapons into highly accurate counter-drone systems — giving warfighters a scalable, cost-effective response to one of the fastest-growing threats on the modern battlefield. Bullfrog is deployed with U.S. forces, and ACS works with organizations throughout the U.S. military and national security community.

Following a $200 million Series B at a $2.2 billion valuation, ACS is rapidly expanding manufacturing, accelerating Bullfrog deployments, and developing the next generation of autonomous battlefield systems. This is an opportunity to join a proven, fast-moving team and help scale technology with direct, real-world impact on national security.

ACS is headquartered in Austin, Texas, with additional operations in Alexandria, Virginia;
Mountain View, California; and Huntsville, Alabama. For more information, visit

Allen Control Systems (ACS) is seeking an experienced Machine Shop Manager to lead and scale our machining operations in support of rapidly growing manufacturing needs. This role will be responsible for the day-to-day leadership of the machine shop, including people, equipment, production schedules, quality, safety, and continuous improvement.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on manufacturing leader with strong CNC machining experience who can balance production execution with building the processes, systems, and team required for a high-growth manufacturing environment. You will work closely with Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and Production teams to ensure machined components are delivered safely, accurately, and on schedule.

• Lead the day-to-day operations of the machine shop, including CNC machining, manual machining, tooling, and supporting shop activities.

• Manage, develop, and mentor machinists, programmers, leads, and other machine shop personnel.

• Maintain records for skill matrix to drive a culture of continuous learning and development and career growth for team members.

• Establish clear expectations for safety, quality, productivity, attendance, and overall performance.

• Support recruiting, interviewing, onboarding, training, and development of machine shop employees.

• Build a culture of accountability, craftsmanship, urgency, and continuous improvement.

• Ensure appropriate staffing and coverage across production shifts as operations scale.

• Own machine shop production schedules and priorities based on overall manufacturing requirements.

• Coordinate work across machines, personnel, and shifts to maximize throughput and minimize downtime.

• Monitor work-in-process and proactively identify production risks, bottlenecks, and capacity constraints.

• Partner with Production Planning, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain to ensure material, tooling, and resources are available to meet production schedules.

• Balance prototype, engineering, and production machining requirements in a fast-moving environment.

• Develop and track key performance indicators related to throughput, utilization, scrap, rework, downtime, and on-time delivery.

• Provide technical leadership for CNC milling, turning, and other machining operations.

• Support CNC programming, setup optimization, tooling selection, fixturing, and machining strategy.

• Review drawings, GD&T requirements, tolerances, materials, and manufacturing specifications.

• Partner with Engineering to provide Design for Manufacturability (DFM) feedback and improve component manufacturability.

• Troubleshoot machining, tooling, programming, equipment, and process issues.

• Identify opportunities to reduce cycle times while maintaining quality and safety requirements.