CNC Programmer

About Atomic Semi

Atomic Semi is building a small, fast semiconductor fab.

It’s already possible to build this with today’s technology and a few simplifications. We’ll build the tools ourselves so we can quickly iterate and improve.

We’re building a small team of exceptional, hands-on engineers to make this happen. Mechanical, electrical, hardware, computer, and process. We’ll own the stack from atoms to architecture. Our team is optimistic about the future and we want to continue pushing the limits of technology.

Smaller is better. Faster is better. Building it ourselves is better.

We believe our team and lab can build anything. We’ve set up 3D printers, a wide array of microscopes, e-beam writers, general fabrication equipment - and whatever is missing, we’ll just invent along the way.

Atomic was founded by Sam Zeloof https://www.youtube.com/@SamZeloof and Jim Keller https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Keller_(engineer). Sam is best known for making chips in his garage, and Jim has been a leader in the semiconductor industry for the past 40 years.

About the team

The Atomic Semi production team manufactures chip fabs. From deposition and etching tools to lithography and metrology, we are building every tool ourselves. We fabricate the metal parts, operate SMT lines to build PCBAs, and assemble the tools in-house.

About the role

Atomic Semi is building a new generation of semiconductor manufacturing equipment. We're staffing up our first production facility, and the CNC programmer is the seat that decides how fast we can build them.

You own the CAM programs that run our Haas fleet — three UMC-500SS five-axis VMCs, one UMC-750SS, two DS-30Y mill-turn lathes. Today our chassis-mix mill cycle is ~45 min/part. Your year-one target is to drop that to 20 min/part through better toolpaths, smarter fixturing, optimized tool selection, and disciplined process documentation. That single number controls how many cubes we can ship per month.

Responsibilities

• CAM programming for 5-axis VMC and mill-turn lathe work (Mastercam, Fusion 360, or HSMWorks)
• Toolpath strategy on stainless and aluminum semiconductor-grade parts (typical ±0.001")
• Probing routines for in-process inspection
• Tool library, tool-life tracking, and offset management at the Zoller presetter
• Pallet-pool lights-out programs for the UMC fleet
• DFM feedback to the design team — "this would run 30% faster if you opened that radius up"
• Process documentation that survives operator turnover

Required Experience

• 4+ years CNC programming, including 2+ years on 5-axis
• Strong Mastercam, Fusion 360, or HSMWorks fluency
• Haas control native (or comparable Fanuc/Siemens)
• GD&T fluency, comfortable reading drawings to spec
• Documented track record of taking specific part families from high cycle time to low

Nice-to-have

• Trunnion-mount 5-axis programming
• Pallet-pool / lights-out experience (Fastems or similar)
• Mill-turn programming on DS-30Y class machines
• Semiconductor, aerospace, or medical-device part background
• Mastercam Multi-Axis or HSMWorks Adaptive Clearing certification

Working at Atomic Semi

We’re an early-stage hardware startup with solid funding, world-class advisors, and a lab/office in San Francisco, CA.

Benefits: Atomic Semi offers the following benefits, subject to applicable eligibility requirements:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
• Generous Paid Time Off inclusive of Holidays and Sick Time
• Visa Sponsorship
• Life and Disability Insurance
• Paid Parental Leave
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Weekly Learning & Development opportunities
• Commuter Benefits including Parking and Late Night Uber rides from the office
• Lunches daily, Dinners 3x per week, Stocked Office Kitchen with Snacks and Spindrifts

We are an equal-opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, disability or other legally protected statuses.

Export Control Analysis: This position involves access to technology that is subject to U.S. export controls. Any job offer made will be contingent upon the applicant’s capacity to serve in compliance with U.S. export controls.