We are hiring an Automation Engineer with 3+ years of experience in CNC machining and manufacturing engineering, deep hands-on experience with 5-axis milling, and a strong engineering foundation. You should be comfortable working on the shop floor, thinking at a systems level about tooling, fixturing, and process optimization, and eager to architect an automated machining cell from scratch. Bonus points if you have experience running or engineering automated cells with pallet systems, machining hard alloys like titanium and Inconel, or working in aerospace and defense manufacturing environments.
The goal is to design a system that runs overnight and weekends without supervision by standardizing tooling and workholding, and to push the boundaries of lights-out production.
What you will do:
Define our standardized tool set and tool wear parameters so we know exactly when a tool gets swapped out, maximizing part coverage while minimizing unique tooling.
Design our standard vise and workholding system to minimize the number of unique fixtures while maximizing the range of parts the cell can hold.
Own the pallet strategy: how jobs are assigned to pallets and sequenced through the cell so it stays running unattended through nights and weekends.
Specify and implement machine monitoring hardware (Marposs, Caron Engineering) including spindle load, torque, and vibration sensors to detect bad cuts or worn tools before they become scrapped parts.
Define our next-generation quality inspection stack, evaluating technologies such as CT scanning, in-machine probing, and automated CMM programming.
Lead machine and equipment selection for future iterations of the cell, including CNC machines, wash stations, and quality equipment, from requirements through vendor evaluation and acceptance testing.
Prove out new parts through first article and process qualification before they are released to run unattended.
Work closely with software engineers to build automation workflows into manufacturing processes.
- 3-5 years of experience as a machining engineer or manufacturing engineer, specializing in CNC machining and 5-axis milling
- Direct machining or manufacturing engineering background in CNC machine shops with deep understanding of 5-axis milling
- Hands-on experience with 5-axis milling, CNC machining, and CNC programming
- Familiarity with a major CAM package, G-code, macros, and in-process probing
- Experience running, setting up, engineering, or leading automated machine shops or automated cells with pallet and linear systems
- Background in mechanical engineering or a STEM field, with deep experience in CNC machine shops
- Bachelor's degree in engineering or a STEM field (preference for mechanical engineering)
- US citizen or lawful permanent resident (ITAR compliant)
- Ability to work on-site in Austin, TX (5 days/week)
- Experience machining titanium, Inconel, and other hard alloys preferred
- Experience defining standard vise/workholding systems, pallet strategy, tool sets/tool wear, and leading machine/equipment selection preferred
- Collegiate Formula SAE or motorsports team participation is a nice-to-have