The role
- COMP
- $160K - $220K
- EQUITY
- Meaningful early-stage stock option grant, with details discussed at the offer stage
- LOCATION
- Texas
- WORKPLACE
- On-site
- EXPERIENCE
- 5 - 8 years
- VISA
- None
- INDUSTRY
- Hardware, Defense, Robotics, Manufacturing
/roles — ROLE_349
Head of Programming
Seed-stage startup building lights-out CNC factories for aerospace and defense part production
The company
Early-stage manufacturing company building modular, automated CNC machine shops to address the skilled labor shortage in U.S. precision manufacturing, with a focus on defense supply chains.
- STAGE
- Series A-stage
- FUNDING
- $9M raised
- TEAM
- founding team of <10
- FOUNDED
- 2026
JD — the work
About the role
You would lead the CAD-to-CAM team and define how programming is done, starting from zero, for a set of automated five-axis machining cells. The company wants a Siemens NX CAM expert who still programs difficult defense and aerospace components in aluminum, titanium, and Inconel, and who has mentored programmers, set up processes, and implemented probing for unattended, lights-out runs. The team is very small and on site in Texas, with a fully automated cell due for delivery ahead of a planned Series A.
What you'll do
- Coach a CNC programming group of two, growing past five, with shared templates, tooling libraries, and review standards
- Define the full programming process, from simulation and sign-off to first runs, and slot new orders in with the COO
- Set up probing for unattended runs, covering tool and work offsets, in-process inspection, and macros that let programs self-correct mid-cycle
- Personally program demanding parts, both 3+2 and full simultaneous five-axis, and validate them on the machine
- Develop and tune post processors for each machine and control so generated code runs exactly as intended
- Train the team on disciplined practices for verifying, simulating, and releasing programs
- Work with automation and software engineers on tooling, workholding, pallets, and automating repetitive CAM work
What they're looking for
- 5+ years of expert-level Siemens NX CAM programming
- Hands-on skill programming tough parts in titanium, Inconel, and aluminum
- Proven experience setting up processes, mentoring programmers, and implementing probing for lights-out work
- Ideally, applications engineering experience on NX with a reseller, machine builder, or major aerospace manufacturer
Nice to have
- Prior experience managing a programming team or running a shop floor
- Post processor development using Post Configurator or NX Post Builder