--- title: 'CMM Programmer at Freeform' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/cmm-programmer-freeform-los-angeles-htjzr7nw8ak6' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-09-26' --- # CMM Programmer at Freeform - **Company:** Freeform - **Location:** Los Angeles, CA - **Posted:** 2026-09-15 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-26 - **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/freeformfuturecorp/jobs/7996183003 ## Job description ## CMM PROGRAMMER (2ND SHIFT) Freeform is deploying software-defined, autonomous metal 3D printing factories around the world, bringing the scalability of software to physical production. Our proprietary technology stack leverages advanced sensing, real-time controls, and data-driven learning to produce digitally-verified, flawless parts at unprecedented speed and cost. Our mission is to make the transformative power of 3D printing available to all industries at scale and unlock the future of innovation. We are looking for a detail-oriented CMM Inspector/Programmer to join our quality team and take ownership of inspecting complex metal 3D printed parts. In this hands-on role, you’ll operate our Zeiss Contura CMM using existing Calypso programs, perform part inspections, and clearly communicate results to the engineering and production teams. You’ll also assist in maintaining inspection tools, documenting results, and continuously improving quality workflows. Over time, you’ll have opportunities to learn more advanced metrology tools and inspection methods in our growing lab. If you are detail-oriented and passionate about precision inspection, quality assurance, and continuous improvement, we’d love to hear from you! 3D printing experience is not required to be successful here - rather we look for smart, motivated, collaborative individuals who love solving hard problems and creating amazing technology! Responsibilities: - Operate Zeiss Contura CMM machine using Calypso for the inspection of complex metal 3D printed parts and geometries. - Create and execute inspection programs, and ensure parts are measured accurately and consistently. - Interpret GD&T requirements as applied to engineering drawings and notes, identifying and addressing dimension interpretation issues. - Choose and utilize appropriate gauges and tools to inspect feature tolerances, ensuring accuracy and adherence to quality standards. - Collaborate with engineers and quality leads to communicate inspection results and flag potential part or process issues. - Assist in maintaining and organizing inspection programs, toolkits, and inspection records. - Support upkeep of CMM equipment and contribute to continuous improvement in inspection workflows. Basic Qualifications: - 5+ years of CMM operating experience - 1+ years of CMM programming experience - Experience interpreting engineering drawings and understanding GD&T principles Nice to Have: - Experience with Zeiss Contura and Calypso - Experience with CMM inspection of metal 3D printed parts - Ability to utilize power tools, hand tools, cranes, forklifts, and other heavy equipment - Ability to lift and/or move up to 30lbs unassisted - Must be available and willing to work overtime when needed Location: - We are located in Hawthorne, CA in a 35,000 square foot, state-of-the-art facility featuring large open spaces for team collaboration, R&D, and production, as well as easy access to the 405, 105, and 110 freeways. Our facility is in the heart of Los Angeles' vibrant emerging tech ecosystem alongside many other high growth startups and enterprises. What We Offer: - We have an inclusive and diverse culture that values collaboration, learning, and making deliberate data-driven decisions. - We offer a unique opportunity to be an early and integral member of a rapidly growing company that is scaling a world-changing technology. - Benefits - Significant stock option packages - 100% employer-paid Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance (premium PPO and HMO options) - Life insurance - Traditional and Roth 401(k) - Relocation assistance provided - Paid vacation, sick leave, and company holidays - Generous Paid Parental Leave and extended transition back to work for the birthing parent - Free daily catered lunch and dinner, and fully stocked kitchenette - Casual dress, flexible work hours, and regular catered team building events - Compensation - As a growing company, the salary range is intentionally wide as we determine the most appropriate package for each individual taking into consideration years of experience, educational background, and unique skills and abilities as demonstrated throughout the interview process. Our intent is to offer a salary that is commensurate for the company’s current stage of development and allows the employee to grow and develop within a role. - In addition to the significant stock option package, the estimated pay range for this role is $30-$45/hour, depending on the level of seniority demonstrated in the interview process. - This role will include a shift differential for all hours worked on 2nd shift (~1pm - 9pm). - Freeform is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values diversity; employment with Freeform is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status. ## About Freeform ## Company Overview - **One-liner**: Freeform builds the world’s first AI-native manufacturing system – autonomous factories that use advanced sensing, compute, and machine learning to 3D-print industrial-grade metal parts at unprecedented speed and scale. - **Entity Type**: Private (Series B, raised $67M in Feb 2026) - **Headquarters**: Hawthorne, California, USA - **Founded**: 2019 - **Founders**: Erik Palitsch (CEO), Thomas J. Ronacher (President & Co-Founder) ## Core Business - **Primary industry/industries**: Industrial Automation, Additive Manufacturing (Metal 3D Printing), Physical AI - **Target customers**: B2B, primarily serving mission-critical industries: Aerospace & Defense, Aviation, Automotive, Advanced Energy, Consumer Electronics, Robotics, and Motor Sports. - **Mission or purpose statement**: “To radically change the way things are made” and “unlock advanced manufacturing for every industry” by treating manufacturing as a single, integrated AI-native system. ## Products & Services For each major offering: - **AI-Native Manufacturing System**: A fully integrated, software-defined network of autonomous factories. This system uses proprietary compute, sensors, controls, and ML to sense, learn, predict, and control metal formation in real-time. It unifies hardware and software to produce industrial-scale parts from prototype to full production, all under one roof. - **Physical AI Stack**: The company built its own technology stack (compute, sensors, controls, software) to enable a new method of metal 3D printing that is faster, more predictable, and cost-effective than traditional methods. ## Market Standing - **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not publicly disclosed - **Key Metric**: Annual Revenue: $4.5M (LinkedIn estimate); Total Funding: $126M - **Notable Investors/Partners**: NVIDIA (NVentures), AE Industrial Ventures (AE Ventures), Two Sigma Ventures, Founders Fund, Threshold Ventures, 8VC, Linse Capital, Valor. - **Growth Signals**: - Raised $67M Series B in February 2026 to scale up laser AI manufacturing. - Named to Fast Company’s “World’s Most Innovative Companies of 2026.” - 48 active job postings as of mid-2026, with year-over-year hiring growth of +81.5%. - Headcount growth of 9.4% year-over-year (approximately 50 employees). - Key hires from SpaceX, Tesla, Apple, Google, Velo3D. ## Competitive Advantages - **First-principles technology**: The company built all technology from scratch (compute, sensors, controls, ML stack) because the necessary tech didn't exist. This creates a deep technical moat. - **AI-native, not AI-applied**: Their system is designed from the ground up to be autonomous, learning, and predictive, unlike traditional manufacturing methods that apply AI as an afterthought. - **Proven leadership**: Founded and led by ex-SpaceX engineers (Erik Palitsch was Principal Architect of the Starship Vehicle and led the Merlin & Raptor engine programs) and a Chief Scientific Officer with deep experience in additive manufacturing (Tasso Lappas, former CTO at Velo3D). - **Speed and scale**: Promises the ability to go from prototype to full-scale production faster than any competitor, enabling a "death of slow speeds and unpredictable systems." ## Strategic Focus - **Scale up operations**: The primary focus of the $67M Series B is to scale the technology and expand production capacity. - **Industry expansion**: Targeting a wide range of industries including aerospace, defense, automotive, energy, and consumer electronics. - **Talent acquisition**: Aggressively hiring top-tier cross-disciplinary talent (MechE, Electrical, Software, ML/AI, Process, and Engineering leadership) to build out the team. - **Product innovation**: Continuing to push the boundaries of speed, quality, and scale in metal additive manufacturing. ## Why Work Here - **Culture**: Described as a team of "first-principles thinkers" with "low ego" and a "healthy sense of humor." The company emphasizes working on "hard problems" and is driven by a mission to fundamentally change manufacturing. - **Working policy**: Fully on-site in Los Angeles, CA (Hawthorne). This is a shop-floor and lab-heavy environment, ideal for those who want to be hands-on with hardware. - **Compensation & Equity**: Offers competitive compensation and pre-IPO shares, meaning all employees are shareholders in the company’s success. - **Notable Perks & Engineering Culture**: Opportunity to work with some of the most advanced manufacturing technology in the world (lasers, robotics, ML). The environment is described as high-trust, high-impact, and cross-disciplinary. The company encourages applications even if there is no exact role listed, signaling a flexible and growth-oriented culture. - **Talent density**: The team includes top talent from SpaceX, Apple, Google, Tesla, Velo3D, and other leading tech and manufacturing companies. ## Sources 1. [freeform.co](https://freeform.co/) 2. [Freeform Careers](https://freeform.co/careers) 3. [Freeform Company Page](https://freeform.co/company) 4. [Freeform Greenhouse Job Board](https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/freeformfuturecorp) 5. [LinkedIn - Freeform](https://www.linkedin.com/company/freeformfuture) 6. [TechCrunch - $67M Series B](https://techcrunch.com/2026/02/19/freeform-raises-67m-series-b-to-scale-up-laser-ai-manufacturing/) 7. [TechCrunch - $14M Venture Round](https://techcrunch.com/2024/10/22/ex-spacex-engineers-land-14m-to-scale-new-method-for-3d-printing-metal/) ## Other roles at Freeform - [Materials Lab, General Helper (1st Shift)](https://feeny.ai/job/materials-lab-general-helper-1st-shift-freeform-los-angeles-faga6tyj404t) — Los Angeles, CA - [Manufacturing Engineer, CNC Machining (New Grad Summer 2027)](https://feeny.ai/job/manufacturing-engineer-cnc-machining-new-grad-summer-2027-freeform-los-angeles-8psr93z57c32) — Los Angeles, CA - [Manufacturing Engineer, CNC Machining (New Grad December 2026)](https://feeny.ai/job/manufacturing-engineer-cnc-machining-new-grad-december-2026-freeform-los-angeles-h7mgdj17njag) — Los Angeles, CA - [Principal Machine Learning Researcher (Physical AI)](https://feeny.ai/job/principal-machine-learning-researcher-physical-ai-freeform-los-angeles-663pzmgqpzjm) — Los Angeles, CA - [Electrical Engineering Intern (Spring 2027)](https://feeny.ai/job/electrical-engineering-intern-spring-2027-freeform-los-angeles-0806bphqm9rg) — Los Angeles, CA - [Senior Factory Infrastructure Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-factory-infrastructure-engineer-freeform-los-angeles-m0pv1y34aqqz) — Los Angeles, CA - [Factory Infrastructure Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/factory-infrastructure-engineer-freeform-los-angeles-62ec1ncja35w) — Los Angeles, CA - [Additive Engineering Intern (Summer 2027)](https://feeny.ai/job/additive-engineering-intern-summer-2027-freeform-los-angeles-1jkg1yg9wb5k) — Los Angeles, CA - [Mechanical Engineering Intern (Spring 2027)](https://feeny.ai/job/mechanical-engineering-intern-spring-2027-freeform-los-angeles-vyt1gep498wt) — Los Angeles, CA - [Electrical Engineering Intern (Summer 2027)](https://feeny.ai/job/electrical-engineering-intern-summer-2027-freeform-los-angeles-yq6a82we64ds) — Los Angeles, CA