R&D CNC Prototyping Machinist

Kform is a modern defense manufacturer partnering with cutting-edge defense and dual‑use startups to turn breakthrough ideas into production-ready hardware. We span design, engineering, prototyping, machining, quality, and production readiness to move critical systems from concept to the field—on timelines measured in weeks, not years.

A Day in This Role

Morning starts with a quick sync alongside engineers reviewing a 3D model that needs to fly through a first-article cut. You select tooling, outline your setup strategy, and program a Haas VMC in Fusion 360 or Mastercam. By mid‑day, you’re dialing in workholding, running parts, and using indicators, micrometers, and height gauges to validate tolerances. Afternoon shifts to fixture tweaks, a fit check with the engineering team, notes on manufacturability, and documenting lessons learned so the next iteration moves even faster. You close the day by organizing tooling, updating setup sheets, and queuing CAM for tomorrow’s run.

What You Will Own

• Rapid machining of prototypes and low‑volume builds for complex defense and dual‑use products.
• Programming, setup, and operation of CNC mills and lathes, plus hands‑on use of manual equipment.
• Working from CAD models, drawings, sketches, notes, and evolving verbal direction.
• Early design feedback on manufacturability, tolerances, materials, setup strategy, tool access, fixturing, finishes, and cost/lead‑time.
• Building, modifying, and repairing prototypes, fixtures, tooling, test articles, brackets, enclosures, panels, mounts, and assemblies.
• Direct collaboration with engineers to translate design intent into high‑quality parts.
• Inspection using calipers, micrometers, indicators, height gauges, thread gauges, and surface plates.
• Verification that parts meet drawing specs, functional criteria, and assembly interfaces.
• Support for prototype assembly, fit checks, test setups, and troubleshooting.
• Clear documentation of setup notes, machining issues, lessons learned, and design change recommendations.
• Shop organization, machine care, and safe work practices.
• Continuous improvement across Kform’s prototyping, machining, and manufacturing systems.

How You Work

You’re a hands‑on builder with strong fundamentals who can turn ambiguous requirements into precise parts. You move comfortably between:

• CNC mills and lathes
• Manual machining equipment
• CAD models and drawings
• CAM workflows
• Inspection tools
• Prototype assemblies
• Fixtures and tooling
• Engineering discussions
• Production feedback loops

You care deeply about tolerances, finishes, setup sequencing, workholding, material behavior, cutting tools, and the difference between a design that looks good on-screen and one that runs repeatably.

Minimum Qualifications

• 3–5 years in CNC machining, manual machining, prototype fabrication, toolmaking, model making, or similar hands‑on manufacturing.
• Fluency reading and interpreting drawings, dimensions, GD&T basics, notes, materials, and finishes.
• Proven experience setting up and operating CNC milling machines.
• Manual mill/lathe experience with saws, drill presses, grinders, and standard shop tools.
• Working knowledge of aluminum, steel, stainless, plastics, and specialty materials.
• Ability to inspect parts with standard metrology and apply basic quality practices.
• Comfort operating from incomplete information and asking clarifying questions.
• Strong mechanical aptitude with practical problem‑solving.
• Commitment to safety in a fast‑moving prototyping environment.
• Clear communicator willing to partner directly with engineers, technicians, and production.

Preferred Qualifications

• Background in prototype or R&D shops, defense/aerospace, robotics, machine shops, or advanced manufacturing.
• CNC programming in Fusion 360, Mastercam, SolidWorks CAM, HSMWorks, or similar.
• Experience on both CNC mills and CNC lathes.
• Track record machining tight‑tolerance components for complex assemblies.
• Fixture design, soft jaws, custom workholding, and production tooling.
• Support of low‑volume production, engineering builds, EVT/DVT, and production readiness.
• GD&T, inspection records, first article inspection, or AS9100‑style systems.
• Exposure to sheet metal, welding, finishing/coating, additive, or assembly operations.
• Partnering with engineers to improve DFM/DFA.
• Interest in manufacturing, American industry, defense technology, and tough technical problems.

Skills That Drive Success

• CNC setup, operation, and practical machining strategy
• Manual machining and hands‑on fabrication
• Drawing interpretation, tolerancing, and disciplined inspection
• CAM programming and toolpath creation
• Workholding, fixturing, and setup planning
• Prototype fabrication and rapid iteration
• Materials knowledge and cutter selection
• Effective DFM feedback
• Shop organization, safety, and machine stewardship
• Clear communication with engineers, technicians, suppliers, and production
• Practical judgment, attention to detail, and ownership

Tools and Technologies

• CNC Mills: 3–4 axis VMCs (Haas, Doosan) and 5‑axis VMCs (Haas)
• CNC Lathes: 2–4 axis (Haas)
• CAD/CAM: SolidWorks, Fusion 360, Mastercam, SolidWorks CAM/HSMWorks

Working Environment

Expect frequent hands‑on work with machines, tools, materials, fixtures, prototypes, inspection gear, and production hardware. You’ll spend time standing, walking, lifting, setting up machines, deburring, inspecting, and working near active manufacturing operations. PPE is used as appropriate to task and area. You may occasionally support customer projects, supplier coordination, testing, or production needs.

How We Operate

Kform values continuous improvement, aggressive value creation, and extreme ownership. We’re building the infrastructure and execution engine required to bring advanced defense products to production faster. If you want to build real hardware, work shoulder‑to‑shoulder with engineers, and solve practical manufacturing problems that matter, we’d like to meet you.

Core Proficiencies

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