Sr. Manufacturing Engineer- CNC Programmer

Sr. Manufacturing Engineer- CNC Programmer Mojave, California, United States | Manufacturing

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, work holding, simulation, and machining-process troubleshooting.

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, tool holders, work holding, probing strategies, machining parameters, and inspection approaches.
• Design or support the design of fixtures, soft jaws, pallets, tombstones, and other work holding.
• 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.

• Extensive hands-on CNC machining and programming…