R&D CNC Prototype Machinist

Kform is a next-generation defense manufacturer partnering with leading defense and dual-use startups to convert breakthrough ideas into production-ready hardware. We span design, engineering, prototyping, manufacturing, quality, and production readiness to move critical systems from concept to field deployment—on the timelines modern missions demand.

A Day in the Shop

You open a new CAD model, plan workholding, pick tools, and lay out a CAM strategy. By mid-morning you’ve set up a VMC, dialed in offsets, and cut a first-article bracket. Over lunch you review tolerances with an engineer, suggest a simpler datum scheme, and update notes so the next iteration is faster. The afternoon might include turning a custom shaft on a CNC lathe, tweaking soft jaws, inspecting features with micrometers and height gauges, and assembling a prototype to validate fit. Before you leave, you capture lessons learned and flag a design-for-manufacture improvement that will save days when this part hits low-rate production.

What You’ll Own

• Produce prototype and low-volume components for complex defense and dual-use assemblies.
• Program, set up, and run CNC mills and lathes; switch seamlessly to manual mills, lathes, saws, drill presses, and grinders when needed.
• Translate CAD models, drawings, sketches, notes, and verbal guidance into accurate hardware.
• Provide actionable feedback on manufacturability, tolerance stack-ups, materials, setup strategy, tool access, fixturing, surface finish, and expected cost/lead time.
• Build, modify, and repair prototypes, fixtures, soft jaws, tooling, test articles, brackets, enclosures, panels, mounts, and mechanical subassemblies.
• Partner closely with engineers to iterate quickly—from design intent to parts on the bench—catching issues long before release to production.
• Inspect with calipers, micrometers, indicators, thread and height gauges, and on surface plates to verify drawing, function, and assembly requirements.
• Support fit checks, test setups, troubleshooting, and prototype assembly.
• Document setup notes, machining challenges, process tweaks, and design recommendations.
• Maintain shop readiness: organization, tooling health, machine care, and safe practices.
• Drive continuous improvement across prototyping, machining, and manufacturing workflows.

How You Work

You’re a hands-on builder with strong fundamentals who thrives amid ambiguity. You can start from imperfect information, ask sharp questions, and apply practical judgment to produce high-quality parts—fast, without sacrificing safety or precision. You’re comfortable moving between:

• CNC mills and lathes
• Manual machining equipment
• CAD models and prints
• CAM toolpaths
• Inspection tools and methods
• Prototype assemblies
• Fixtures and custom workholding
• Engineering tradeoff discussions
• Production feedback loops

You care deeply about tolerances, finishes, setup strategy, workholding, material behavior, and cutting tools—and about the gap between what “looks good on screen” and what runs repeatably on a machine.

Minimum Qualifications

• 3–5 years in CNC machining, manual machining, prototype fabrication, toolmaking, model making, or similar hands-on manufacturing roles.
• Expertise reading drawings: dimensions, tolerances, notes, materials, finishes, and design intent.
• Proven CNC mill setup and operation experience.
• Comfort with manual mills/lathes, saws, drills, and common shop tools.
• Working knowledge of aluminum, steel, stainless, plastics, and specialty materials.
• Ability to inspect parts with standard measurement tools and apply basic quality practices.
• Capable of executing from incomplete inputs and clarifying requirements quickly.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and practical troubleshooting skills.
• Safe work habits in a fast-paced prototyping/manufacturing setting.
• Clear communicator who collaborates directly with engineers, technicians, and production teams.

Preferred Background

• Experience in a prototype or R&D shop, defense or aerospace manufacturing, robotics, machine shop, or advanced manufacturing environment.
• CAM experience with Fusion 360, Mastercam, SolidWorks CAM, HSMWorks, or similar.
• Hands-on with both CNC mills and CNC lathes.
• Track record machining tight-tolerance parts for complex mechanical systems.
• Fixture/soft jaw design, custom workholding, and production tooling experience.
• Support of low-volume builds, EVT/DVT, or production-readiness efforts.
• Familiarity with GD&T, inspection records, first article inspection, or AS9100-style systems.
• Exposure to sheet metal, welding, finishing/coating, additive, or assembly operations.
• History of collaborating with engineers to elevate DFM/DFA.
• Motivation rooted in manufacturing, U.S. industry, defense technology, and hard problems.

Skills That Matter

• CNC setup/operation and production-minded machining strategy
• Manual machining and hands-on fabrication
• Drawing interpretation, tolerancing, and disciplined inspection
• CAM programming and toolpath creation
• Workholding, fixturing, and setup planning
• Rapid prototyping and iterative builds
• Materials and cutting tool selection
• Design-for-manufacture feedback
• Shop organization, safety, and machine stewardship
• Cross-functional communication (engineering, technicians, suppliers, production)
• Ownership, attention to detail, and sound judgment

Working Environment

Expect a high-velocity product development and manufacturing floor:

• Hands-on time with machines, tooling, fixtures, materials, prototypes, inspection gear, and production hardware.
• Standing, walking, lifting, machine setups, deburring, inspection, and work near active operations.
• Task-dependent PPE.
• Occasional customer project support, supplier coordination, testing, or production assistance.

How We Operate

We value continuous improvement, aggressive value creation, and extreme ownership. We’re building the capability and execution engine to put advanced defense products into production faster. If you love real hardware, respect manufacturing reality, obsess over details, and turn ideas into parts—this is your arena.

Leveling and Focus

This role can be tuned for growth or greater scope—whether you lean toward senior prototype machinist, CNC programmer, or shop lead responsibilities.

Core Proficiencies

• CNC Programming
• Design for Manufacturability (DFM)
• CNC Machine Setup & Changeover
• CAD/CAM Software

Machines & Technologies You’ll Use

• CNC Mill (3–4 axis VMC) — Doosan, Haas
• 3D Modeling — SolidWorks
• CNC Lathe (2–4 axis) — Haas
• CNC Mill (5+ axis VMC) — Haas