About this Senior Machinist / Shop Manager role at 9 Mothers
Location: Onsite — Austin, TX
Employment Type: Full‑Time
Job Title: Senior Machinist / Shop Manager
About 9 Mothers
9 Mothers is an Austin-based defense tech company operating as an SOT/Class III manufacturer. Our R&D work spans advanced robotics and novel firearms systems. What you build today will be tested on the range tomorrow.
Position Summary
The Senior Machinist / Shop Manager will be the first and primary machinist on staff. This is a hands-on production and prototyping role. You will machine parts, maintain equipment, manage consumables and tooling, and serve as the shop authority on design for manufacturability (DFM), actively coaching engineers to improve designs before they reach the floor. As the team grows, this role will take on direct management of junior machinists.
Essential Duties
Shop Operations
Establish safety protocols, inventory systems, and maintenance schedules
Manage consumables, tooling, and fixture inventory on an ongoing basis
CNC & Manual Machining
Set up and operate Yama Seiki 5-axis CNC mill and Yama Seiki CNC lathe to produce prototype and low-volume production parts from engineering drawings and models
Write and edit CNC programs (conversational or G-code); optimize feeds, speeds, and toolpaths for prototype iteration cycles
Perform manual machining operations on mills, lathes, and drill presses as required
Hold dimensional tolerances consistent with engineering specifications; document inspection results
Fabrication & Additive Manufacturing
Operate polymer and metal additive manufacturing systems; manage post-processing and finishing across both material classes
Fabricate fixtures, jigs, and holding devices to support machining and assembly operations
Engineering Collaboration & DFM
Review engineering drawings and 3D models prior to manufacture; identify and flag features that are non-manufacturable, unnecessarily tight, or will drive excessive cycle time
Work directly with engineers to iterate on designs for manufacturability — communicating tradeoffs clearly and suggesting specific geometric changes
Provide cycle time and material cost estimates in support of engineering design studies
Participate in design reviews as the shop authority on machining and fabrication constraints
Interface with outside vendors and contract manufacturers — communicating specifications clearly, reviewing quotes, and managing delivery of outsourced parts and assemblies
Requirements
10+ years of hands-on machining experience, including 5-axis CNC mill and CNC lathe operation and setup
Demonstrated ability to program CNC equipment (conversational and/or G-code)
Proficient in Mastercam 2026
Proficient in reading and interpreting GD&T engineering drawings and 3D CAD models
Legally eligible to work with NFA-regulated items in a licensed manufacturing environment (no disqualifying factors under 18 U.S.C. § 922)
U.S. citizen or U.S. person as defined under ITAR (22 CFR § 120.62) — required due to the nature of development programs
Ability to pass an ATF-required background investigation
Nice‑to‑Have
Prior experience in a firearms or defense manufacturing environment
Experience operating or maintaining polymer and metal additive manufacturing systems
Familiarity with MIL-SPEC materials and surface finish requirements
Prior experience with Yama Seiki CNC lathe and CNC 5-axis mills
Prior experience mentoring junior machinists or engineers on DFM
Exposure to SAAMI or MIL-STD dimensional requirements for small arms components
Work Environment
Full-time, on-site in Austin, TX. This is a startup environment — expect ambiguity, rapid design iterations, and a small team. The shop will be built around this person’s input on equipment and layout. You will interact daily with engineers and be a direct contributor to prototype timelines.
Benefits
Meaningful Early Equity: You aren't just an employee; you are a foundational owner. Your contributions directly drive the value of your stake in the company.
Direct Roadmap Influence: Forget the bureaucracy of big defense. You will have a seat at the table, directly shaping our product and technology trajectory from day one.
Mission-Critical Work: We don't build for "what if." We build systems the Department of War actively needs to counter immediate, real-world threats.
The Builder's Playground: Work in a brand-new lab fully optimized for rapid prototyping, equipped with NVIDIA Jetsons, high-end scopes, and 3-D printers.
100% Employer-Paid Premiums: We cover 100% of your medical, dental, and vision insurance premiums and cover 50% of healthcare premiums for your dependents.
Unlimited PTO: We value results, not clock-watching. Take the time you need to stay sharp and recharge.
Zero Red Tape: You report to the founders. You have the autonomy to make technical decisions that would take months of committee approval at a larger firm.
Austin-Based Culture: Join an onsite team in Austin, TX, where we prioritize high-bandwidth collaboration and rapid field-testing.
Relocation Assistance: We want the best talent in the room. If you aren't in Austin yet, we’ll help you get here, to make your transition to the Silicon Hills seamless.
About the Interview
Application screen phone call (30 min)
Virtual interview with Director of Operations (30 min)
Virtual interview with Director of Mechatronics and Director of Mechanical Engineering (45 min via MS Teams)
In-person visit to Austin
Offer
