Full-Time

CNC Machinist

Posted on 8/21/2026

Arxlight

Arxlight

Autonomous interceptor drones for air defense

Compensation Overview

$55/hr

Oakland, CA, USA

In Person

Category
Hardware Engineering (1)
Required Skills
GD&T
Requirements
  • Hands-on experience operating and setting up Haas CNC machines is required.
  • Demonstrated professional experience as a CNC machinist.
  • Ability to independently set up machines and produce parts to engineering specifications.
  • Experience reading engineering drawings and interpreting geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T).
  • Proficiency with common inspection and measurement tools.
  • Strong understanding of cutting tools, workholding, feeds, speeds, and machining processes.
  • Ability to troubleshoot machining and setup issues independently.
  • Strong attention to detail and commitment to producing accurate, high-quality parts.
  • Comfortable working in a fast-paced hardware development environment.
Responsibilities
  • Operate and set up Haas CNC machines to produce prototype and production components.
  • Help establish safe and effective CNC machining workflows.
  • Provide hands-on guidance and training to team members on CNC machine operation.
  • Assist with tooling selection, workholding, setup, feeds and speeds, and machining practices.
  • Read and interpret engineering drawings, GD&T, and CAD models.
  • Set work and tool offsets and perform machine setup.
  • Inspect machined parts using appropriate measurement tools.
  • Troubleshoot machining, tooling, and setup issues.
  • Machine one-off and small-batch parts for engineering and prototype applications.
  • Help establish repeatable processes for frequently machined components.
  • Maintain a safe, clean, and organized machining workspace.
  • Return for additional machining work as needed based on production and prototyping schedules.
Desired Qualifications
  • Experience machining prototypes or low-volume parts.
  • Experience in a startup, aerospace, robotics, defense, or advanced manufacturing environment.
  • Experience with CNC programming or editing G-code.
  • Familiarity with CAD/CAM software.
  • Experience working with aluminum and other common aerospace or robotics materials.
  • Experience training or mentoring less-experienced machinists or engineers.

Arxlight develops autonomous interceptor drones for air and missile defense. The drones use LWIR sensors, computer vision, autonomy software, and an integrated GNC stack to autonomously detect, identify, and intercept threats through sensor fusion and automated flight. It differentiates itself with a defense-first, stealth-mode approach and by recruiting senior engineers to build a sensor-rich platform tailored for national security rather than consumer markets. The goal is to deliver next-generation capabilities for air and missile defense and counter-drone operations for military and national-security customers.

Company Size

N/A

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

N/A

Founded

N/A

Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Arxlight’s June 2026 roles show active buildout across autonomy, robotics, and sustainment.
  • The company’s defense focus aligns with rising demand for counter-UAS and air defense.
  • Paul White’s Anduril background gives Arxlight credibility with U.S. defense buyers.

What critics are saying

  • Arxlight has no disclosed funding, customers, or fielded systems as of August 2026.
  • Stealth plus ITAR hiring narrows recruiting, slows iteration, and delays revenue.
  • Anduril, Shield AI, and Epirus can outspend Arxlight; a single failed demo kills it.

What makes Arxlight unique

  • Paul White joined Arxlight in June 2025 after Anduril drone engineering.
  • Arxlight’s June 2026 job posts target integrated air and missile defense.
  • Its hiring emphasizes LWIR sensors, autonomy, and GNC for interceptor drones.

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Benefits

Flexible Work Hours