Back to jobs
New

CNC Programmer Supervisor

Huntington Beach, California

Karman Space & Defense is a leader in the rapid design, development, and production of critical, next-generation system solutions that align with the U.S. Department of War and its allies’ core mission priorities, and meet the accelerating demand for access to space. Building on nearly 50 years of success, we deliver Payload & Protection Systems, Aero/Hydrodynamic Interstage Systems, and Propulsion & Launch Systems to more than 80 prime contractors supporting over 130 space and defense programs.

This role is part of our Hypersonics and Strategic Missile Defense business, which designs, develops, and delivers highly dependable missile systems for hypersonic and strategic missile defense missions. We provide integrated, mission-ready hardware that brings together multiple technologies into unified systems engineered to perform in demanding operational environments. Our tip-to-tail capabilities include payload protection and deployment systems, propulsion systems, aerodynamic interstage systems, separation systems, missile subsystems, shroud systems, launch systems, and payload integration solutions.

The CNC Programmer Department Supervisor leads the daily operations of the CNC programming function while programming and optimizing machining processes. This role works closely with Engineering, Production, Quality, and shop floor teams to produce conforming hardware, maintain program traceability, resolve machining issues, and lead CNC programming personnel in meeting safety, quality, and delivery objectives.

Responsibilities

  • Leads daily operations of the CNC programming department and establishes objectives, priorities, schedules, and performance goals.
  • Supervises, mentors, coaches, and develops CNC programmers and support staff, including recruiting, hiring, training, and performance evaluations.
  • Programs CNC milling and/or turning machines using Mastercam 2022 or later, verifying toolpaths against drawing requirements and developing custom fixtures and jaws.
  • Interprets engineering drawings, computer-aided design (CAD) files, customer blueprints, and specifications for metal and composite materials.
  • Develops, modifies, transfers, loads, and archives verified programs in accordance with standard operating procedures to maintain traceability.
  • Collaborates with Engineering, Production, and Quality teams to align schedules and priorities, verify first article dimensions, and resolve production non-conformances.
  • Diagnoses and resolves machine, tooling, and production issues, coordinating with supervisors or managers before resuming production following machine malfunctions or non-conformances.
  • Establishes and monitors productivity, quality, and on-time delivery metrics while driving continuous improvement and maintaining visual management tools.
  • Develops and implements machine sketch projects related to Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) within the programming department.

Required Qualifications

  • Extensive Mastercam programming experience.
  • Experience operating multi-axis Haas Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machines.
  • Strong knowledge of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) and blueprint interpretation.
  • Understanding of Aerospace Standard 9100 (AS9100) or equivalent quality management systems.
  • Proven leadership experience supervising or mentoring machinists or programmers.
  • Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting skills.
  • Knowledge of shop mathematics and machining processes.
  • Minimum of 10 years of experience.
  • Ability to read, speak, and write in English.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Prototype machining experience.
  • Composite machining experience.

Physical Requirements

  • Occasionally push, pull, lift, or carry up to 50 pounds, with a minimum of 35 pounds.
  • Stand and walk constantly for at least 8 hours

Salary Range

$100,000 - $135,000 USD

Karman Space and Defense is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

View our Privacy Policy

Apply for this job

*

indicates a required field

Resume/CV*

Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf

Cover Letter

Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf

Which option best describes the highest level and current status of any DoD security clearance eligibility you hold or previously held? *
Select...
Select...

Please provide your desired hourly rate or annual base salary. A range is welcome, such as $20 to $30 per hour or $70,000 to $80,000 per year.

Select...

A U.S. person includes a U.S. citizen or national, a lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or a person granted refugee status or asylum in the United States.

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey. Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiring process or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in a confidential file.

As set forth in Karman Space & Defense’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy, we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

Select...
Select...
Race & Ethnicity Definitions

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection. As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measure the effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categories is as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.

Select...