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Northwood Space is a modern space infrastructure company building a global network of phased array ground stations for satellite communications. The company designs, builds, and deploys scalable systems for national security, global connectivity, and disaster response missions.
You will own the end-to-end effort to establish and scale Northwood's in-house machining capability for high-performance hardware. This role combines hands-on CNC machining and CAM programming with strategic capability build-out.
Key responsibilities include:
- Develop and execute the roadmap to establish and scale the internal machine shop, from capability definition through machine selection, procurement, and commissioning
- Source, evaluate, and purchase CNC machines (mills, lathes, multi-axis) and supporting equipment including workholding, tooling, metrology, and material handling systems
- Coordinate machine delivery, installation, utilities, acceptance testing, and maintenance strategy
- Design machine shop layout, workflows, and operational standards covering material flow, tool control, inspection procedures, and safety
- Design and validate machining fixtures and workholding solutions for repeatability, speed, and quality
- Create and maintain CAM programs, machining documentation, setups, tool lists, inspection plans, and standardized work
- Operate machines as needed to unblock development and production, and to validate new processes
You bring 4–6+ years of experience with machined components in manufacturing engineering, CNC programming, or related roles. You have demonstrated expertise in fixture and workholding design, bringing repeatable machining processes into production, and strong CAM programming skills (Fusion, Mastercam, NX CAM, or equivalent). You understand feeds, speeds, tooling, and setup strategy, and are comfortable in hands-on environments proving out programs, debugging issues, and iterating quickly.
Preferred qualifications include experience selecting and commissioning CNC equipment with acceptance criteria and ramp plans, CAD proficiency for fixturing design (Siemens NX or similar), GD&T and tolerance stack-up knowledge, inspection and metrology planning (CMM, probing), and experience developing standardized work and training programs.
Compensation includes base salary (determined case-by-case based on skills, education, and experience), company stock options, discretionary performance bonuses, comprehensive medical/vision/dental coverage, flexible spending accounts, flexible time off, 10+ paid holidays, retirement savings plans, and professional development opportunities.
Note: ITAR compliance required—must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.
