---
title: 'Senior CNC Programmer & Prototype Machinist – MILL at Starpath Robotics'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/senior-cnc-programmer-prototype-machinist-mill-starpath-robotics-future-factory-0f5924ch61c5'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-08'
---

# Senior CNC Programmer & Prototype Machinist – MILL at Starpath Robotics

- **Company:** Starpath Robotics
- **Location:** Future Factory
- **Compensation:** $40–$55/hr
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** onsite
- **Posted:** 2026-07-31
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-08
- **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/starpath.space/eb53db13-fa8e-4782-a299-a37aed327d4d

## Job description

Senior CNC Programmer & Prototype Machinist – MILL – (3-Axis & 5-Axis Expert)

At Starpath Robotics, we’re shaping the future of robotics through precision engineering and bold ideas. Our work thrives on the edge of what’s possible — and we’re looking for people who want to push those boundaries with us. We value craftsmanship, speed, and ownership. If you’re passionate about creating high-precision components that directly fuels the next-generation in space, you’ll fit right in.

## The Role

We’re hiring a Senior CNC Programmer & Machinist with deep expertise in 3-axis CNC milling, 4th-axis rotary, and 5-axis experience strongly preferred. This role requires mastery in CNC programming, machining, set-ups, problem-solving at the machine and program level, and the ability to take ownership from design handoff through finished part.

## Responsibilities

- Program and operate CNC mills (3-axis, 4th-axis rotary, 5-axis) to support precision aerospace robotics manufacturing. HASS UMC 750 (5-axis) & HASS VF- series, machines. As well as conventional turning & milling as needed.
- Create, edit, and optimize programs for HASS G-code, using Fusion CAM (Autodesk product), Mastercam, or NX CAM (other CAM system experience accepted).
- Interpret engineering drawings, CAD/CAM/.STP/3D models, and GD&T requirements to produce efficient machining strategies.
- Generate tool lists.
- Perform set ups and operate CNC machines.
- Maintain records of mark ups on prints, save programs, setup sheets, and tool lists.
- Select and optimize tooling, adjusting speeds/feeds for efficiency and tool life.
- Design and machine fixture tooling as required.
- Work closely with engineering teams, production teams, and provide feedback to improve manufacturability.
- Take ownership of the machine shop, be an asset in troubleshooting, and optimization.
- Mentor teammates and share best practices to raise the bar across the team.
- Pitch in beyond machining when needed — including assisting with assembly of our products — to ensure team success.
- Help with necessary maintenance, cleanliness, up-keep and repairs of machinery to the best of your ability.

Required Qualifications and Experience

- High school diploma or equivalent.
- 8+ years of CNC programming and machining experience.
- Deep mastery of 3-axis CNC milling with 4th-axis rotary, & 5-axis machining.
- Proficiency in Haas control (New and Old) operation & programming (G-code).
- Experience with Fusion 360 (Preferred), Mastercam, , or NX CAM, though strong skills in other CAM platforms are acceptable.
- Expertise in programming and operating multi-axis mill and lathe CNC machines.
- Strong background in complex surfacing, swarf cuts, contours, and aerospace style applications.
- Experience optimizing processes for productivity, quality, and repeatability.
- Familiarity with feeds/speeds/tooling types for different material types; 6061/7075 ALM, 300/400 series stainless steel, carbon steels, Inconel, plastics, & similar.
- Experience mentoring others or leading shop projects.

Additional Requirements

- Ability to lift up to 25 lbs. unassisted.
- Frequent standing, bending, grasping, pulling, and other shop-floor activities required.
- U.S. Person status required (citizen, permanent resident, refugee, or asylee) due to export control regulations.

## Compensation & Benefits for Production Roles

- $40.00 – $55.00/hour

Actual level and pay determined based on skills, experience, and interview performance.

OVERTIME PAY POSSIBLE: Can be offered during peak build cycles.

At Starpath Robotics, base pay is just one part of your total rewards package. We also offer:

- Generous benefits include health, dental, vision, and retirement plans.
- Paid time off, holidays, and flexible policies to support balance.
- Professional growth opportunities through training and development.
- The chance to own high-impact work that directly shapes the future of robotics & space!
- A collaborative, mission-driven culture where craftsmanship and innovation are celebrated.

## EAR REQUIREMENTS:

- To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

## About Starpath Robotics

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Starpath Robotics designs and manufactures robotic propellant production factories for the Moon and Mars, aiming to reduce the cost of deep-space transport and enable a self-sustaining human city on Mars.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Seed stage)
- **Headquarters**: Hawthorne, California, United States
- **Founded**: 2022
- **Founders**: Saurav Shroff (CEO & Co-Founder), Mihir Gondhalekar (Co-Founder)

## Core Business
- **Primary industry/industries**: Space Research and Technology, Air Transportation, Space Travel, Robotics
- **Target customers**: B2B – space agencies (NASA), commercial space companies (e.g., Starship operators), satellite operators, and future Mars/Moon infrastructure developers.
- **Mission or purpose statement**: “Building a self-sustaining city on Mars” by producing propellant and infrastructure in space.

## Products & Services
- **Rover (R10)**: Autonomous lunar ice prospecting rover that excavates and delivers hundreds of kilograms of icy regolith. Built for NASA testing and future lunar operations.
- **Refinery System**: Full-stack hardware system for producing and distributing propellant (oxygen, hydrogen, methane) from water ice on the Moon and Mars.
- **Starlight Solar**: Space-rated solar panels that are 90% cheaper than traditional alternatives, with lead times of weeks instead of months. Available for purchase now.
- **Starlight Air**: The world’s lightest space solar panel (announced March 2026). Engineered for high-efficiency power generation.
- **Shadow Voyager**: Exploration vehicle designed for permanently shadowed regions at the Lunar South Pole.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not disclosed
- **Key Metric**: Total Funding – $12.0M (Seed round closed August 20, 2024)
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: 
  - Fusion Fund (lead investor in Seed round per LinkedIn)
  - 8VC and 10 other investors (per Crunchbase)
  - Contrary, Valhalla Ventures
  - NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (testing partnership)
  - Atomic-6 (development contract for deployable lunar boom)
- **Growth Signals**: 
  - Headcount grew 73.7% year-over-year to 28 employees (LinkedIn, 2026)
  - Successful thermal vacuum chamber testing at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (2025)
  - Launch of Starlight Air solar panels (2026)
  - Active hiring for technical roles including first Technical Recruiter

## Competitive Advantages
- **Ex-SpaceX founding team**: Deep expertise in space hardware and propulsion.
- **Full-stack approach**: Covers rover mining, propellant refinery, and solar power – a vertically integrated solution for in-situ resource utilization.
- **NASA collaboration**: Early access to NASA’s test facilities (e.g., 20-ft thermal vacuum chamber) and credibility.
- **Cost disruption**: Starlight solar panels claim 90% cost reduction vs. traditional space solar.
- **First-mover on lunar ice**: Autonomous rover designed to establish the first American claim to lunar ice resources.

## Strategic Focus
- **Lunar testbed**: Use the Moon as a proving ground for Mars propellant production technology, leveraging lunar water ice.
- **City-scale infrastructure**: Scale from propellant production to energy grids, mining capacity, and life support for a self-sustaining Mars city.
- **Revenue diversification**: Selling Starlight solar panels and rover services to generate near-term revenue while pursuing long-term Mars goals.
- **Talent scaling**: Aggressively hiring to grow the engineering team (technical roles are 48% of workforce).

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: Startup environment with a bold mission (“build a city on Mars”). High ownership and fast iteration – interns are expected to do “whatever needs doing.”
- **Growth**: Company growing rapidly (+73.7% YoY headcount); opportunities for early employees to take on significant responsibility.
- **Technical depth**: Team includes alumni from SpaceX, Boston Dynamics, Anduril, Astrobotic – strong engineering culture.
- **Work location**: Hawthorne, CA (HQ) with additional office in Burlingame, CA. Onsite presence expected (manufacturing and testing require hands-on work).
- **Notable perks**: Not explicitly listed, but startup equity and the chance to work on hardware that goes to the Moon and Mars.
- **Recent hiring signals**: Actively recruiting Technical Recruiter, software engineers, and rover engineers – indicating scaling phase.

## Sources
1. [starpath.space](https://www.starpath.space/)
2. [starpath.space/about](https://starpath.space/about/)
3. [crunchbase.com](https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/starpath-robotics)
4. [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/starpathspace)

## Other roles at Starpath Robotics

- [Intern/Associate Engineer - All Roles](https://feeny.ai/job/intern-associate-engineer-all-roles-starpath-robotics-hawthorne-x72ernec0zvg) — Hawthorne, CA
- [Chemical / Materials Engineer – Space Solar](https://feeny.ai/job/chemical-materials-engineer-space-solar-starpath-robotics-hawthorne-pjhey2tmt22v) — Hawthorne, CA
- [CNC Machinist Setup & Operation – MILL](https://feeny.ai/job/cnc-machinist-setup-operation-mill-starpath-robotics-future-factory-z0f3k4xnmat8) — Future Factory
- [CNC Machinist Setup & Operation – LATHE](https://feeny.ai/job/cnc-machinist-setup-operation-lathe-starpath-robotics-future-factory-fej8ssxcxj3d) — Future Factory
- [Senior CNC Programmer & Prototype Machinist – LATHE](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-cnc-programmer-prototype-machinist-lathe-starpath-robotics-hawthorne-thk919345d3r) — Hawthorne, CA
- [Lead Designer](https://feeny.ai/job/lead-designer-starpath-robotics-hawthorne-axk08ca5qr0j) — Hawthorne, CA
- [Senior Flight Software Engineer - Embedded Linux](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-flight-software-engineer-embedded-linux-starpath-robotics-hawthorne-6s0rba5b8hd2) — Hawthorne, CA
- [Senior Robotics Software Engineer – Lunar Rover Localization](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-robotics-software-engineer-lunar-rover-localization-starpath-robotics-sgmwr7nk47dk) — Hawthorne, CA
- [Electrical Engineer - Space Solar](https://feeny.ai/job/electrical-engineer-space-solar-starpath-robotics-hawthorne-t4cv2by8p1mk) — Hawthorne, CA
- [Senior Manufacturing Engineer - Space Solar](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-manufacturing-engineer-space-solar-starpath-robotics-hawthorne-sj1bj4s7wn0s) — Hawthorne, CA