Process Engineer; CNC Innovation Los Angeles, CA

Overview

Freeform is deploying software-defined, autonomous metal 3D printing factories around the world, bringing the scalability of software to physical production. Our proprietary technology stack leverages advanced sensing, real-time controls, and data-driven learning to produce digitally-verified, flawless parts at unprecedented speed and cost. Our mission is to make the transformative power of 3D printing available to all industries at scale and unlock the future of innovation.

As a Process Engineer (CNC Innovation) at Freeform, you will bridge the gap between fundamental machining physics and next-generation autonomous manufacturing. You will deep dive into the multi-physics phenomena of metal cutting, focusing on toolpath generation and plastic deformation to gain a fundamental understanding of the process and enable Freeform to develop its own proprietary subtractive manufacturing technology. You will work with an interdisciplinary team of software and controls engineers to translate domain expertise into automated toolpath logic and closed-loop control systems.

Your work will contribute to Freeform’s vision of unifying the entire metal manufacturing ecosystem from autonomous 3D printing to autonomous subtractive manufacturing and post-processing. The ideal candidate possesses academic rigor to investigate and model the mechanics and physics behind processes while remaining grounded in practical machining challenges of hard metals.

3D printing experience is not required to be successful here - we look for leaders who are organized, accountable, collaborative, and motivated to build and scale world-class hardware operations.

• Develop a deep understanding of the physics of the machining process, focusing on plastic deformation under various cutting conditions and toolpath optimization
• Design and execute machining experiments on hard metals, analyze data to develop and optimize automated CAM processes
• Act as the primary domain expert for CNC/CAM automation, providing mechanical and physical insights for the software team to write automation code
• Perform sample cuts and process development on-machine, ensuring a clean and actionable data stream to monitor performance
• Develop and implement novel toolpath strategies and force modeling to extend tool life and improve surface finish
• Collaborate with software and controls engineers to implement Closed Loop Control (CLC) systems beyond static feeds and speeds
• Strategize continuous improvement plans for CNC process development, focusing on scalability from prototype to high-volume production

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, physics, or similar engineering discipline
• 2+ years of process development experience in advanced CNC machining, specifically involving hard metals and complex toolpath geometries
• Hands-on experience (professional or academic) with CAM programming and operating CNC equipment
• Fundamental understanding of mechanical physics, including material properties and the mechanics of material removal
• Experience gathering and processing data sets from manufacturing equipment to drive process improvements

• Master’s or PhD (strongly preferred) in mechanical engineering, physics, or similar engineering discipline
• Research experience in machining or similar manufacturing disciplines
• Experience with difficult-to-machine materials such as nickel-based superalloys (Inconel), titanium, or other difficult metals
• Familiarity with programming languages such as MATLAB, Python, or R for developing semi-mechanistic cutting models
• Experience with metrology systems (CMM, PC-DMIS) and designing automated inspection fixtures
• Passion for solving audacious problems
• Desire to build the future of autonomous manufacturing from the ground up

• Hawthorne, CA — 35,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility with open spaces for collaboration, R&D, and production, located with easy access to freeways

• Inclusive and diverse culture that values collaboration, learning, and data-driven decision-making
• Early and integral member of a rapidly growing company scaling a world-changing technology
• 100%…