Automation Engineer

About the company

Our client is an early-stage manufacturing company building autonomous machine shops for aerospace and defense. Its first facility is in Austin, where a small team combines CNC machining, robotics, and software to create production systems that can run with minimal supervision. The standards developed here will shape future facilities.

The role and why it matters

As the first Automation Engineer, you will architect the systems around an automated five-axis machining cell. This is hands-on engineering on the shop floor, with ownership of tooling, workholding, monitoring, and inspection from initial design through unattended production.

What you will do

• Define a standardized tool set, tool-life rules, and workholding system that cover a wide range of parts.

• Design pallet assignment and job sequencing for production through nights and weekends.

• Implement spindle-load, torque, and vibration monitoring to detect worn tools and bad cuts.

• Build the inspection strategy across in-machine probing, automated CMM programming, and emerging technologies.

• Select future CNC machines, wash stations, and quality equipment through vendor evaluation and acceptance testing.

• Qualify new parts and processes before releasing them to unattended operation.

• Partner with software engineers to integrate manufacturing workflows and improve the entire cell.

What we are looking for

• At least three years of direct machining or manufacturing engineering experience in CNC machine shops.

• Deep hands-on knowledge of five-axis milling, setup, machining, and CNC programming.

• Experience with automated cells, pallet systems, or linear systems.

• Familiarity with a major CAM package, G-code, macros, and in-process probing.

• A bachelor's degree in engineering or another STEM discipline, plus practical ownership and a problem-solving approach.

• ITAR eligibility as a US citizen or lawful permanent resident, and availability for onsite work in Austin five days a week. Visa sponsorship is unavailable.

Bonus points

• Experience defining tooling, workholding, pallet standards, or selecting machining equipment.

• Experience machining titanium, Inconel, or other hard alloys.

• Aerospace or defense manufacturing experience, or collegiate Formula SAE or motorsports participation.

Compensation and benefits

• Base salary: $150K-$200K.

• Equity compensation is expected; specific terms are discussed during the offer process.

Location and work model

Austin, Texas. Full-time, onsite five days per week at the manufacturing facility.