Principal CAM Engineer
19 hours ago
Allentown
Principal CAM Engineer Build the Bridge Between Machining, Testing, and Autonomous Manufacturing On Site · Allentown / Bethlehem, PA Area · Seed Stage About 4MP At 4MP, we are building a new technological foundation for precision manufacturing. Our platform enables CNC machines to self-measure, self-correct, and continuously improve — transforming conventional machine tools into autonomous precision systems. 4MP is backed by a prestigious institutional investor and is fully funded at the Seed stage. We are now moving from early software development into complex, detailed AI and software systems that must be tested, validated, and demonstrated on real machines. This is where CAM, machining, metrology, software, and AI come together. The Mission We are seeking a hands-on CAM Engineer who can help 4MP build, test, and demonstrate the next generation of autonomous manufacturing systems. This role sits directly between the digital and physical worlds. You will create CAM programs, support machining tests, prepare demonstration parts, help validate software behavior, and work closely with engineering teams to understand how machine instructions become real-world results. This is not a production role. This is an R&D, testing, and demonstration role for someone who understands that real machining is more complex than simulation — and who wants to help define how machines become more intelligent over time. Because this role requires extensive hands-on testing, machine interaction, demo preparation, and collaboration with the on-site engineering team, this position is fully on site in the Allentown / Bethlehem area. What You Will Build • CAM programs for R&D testing, validation, and customer/investor demonstrations, • Test parts, machining setups, and repeatable validation workflows, • Machining experiments that help evaluate 4MP’s measurement and correction capabilities, • Toolpaths that support controlled testing across different geometries, tools, materials, and machine conditions, • Practical bridges between CAM intent, G-code behavior, machine execution, and measured results, • Demonstration workflows that clearly show how 4MP technology improves machining outcomes, • Feedback loops between machining results, software models, metrology data, and correction logic, • Documentation and repeatable processes for test execution, setup control, and result tracking, • A deeper understanding of how digital manufacturing plans translate into physical machine behavior Role Nature: R&D, Testing & Demonstration Execution This is a hands-on technical role inside a fast-moving R&D environment. You will work directly with machines, CAM software, tooling, fixtures, metrology data, software engineers, AI engineers, and operations leaders. Your work will help the company prove what works, understand what fails, and demonstrate why 4MP’s platform matters. You will operate at the intersection of: • CAM programming, • CNC machining, • R&D testing, • Technical demonstrations, • G-code and machine behavior, • Metrology and measurement feedback, • Software and AI validation, • Process documentation and repeatability This role is ideal for someone who enjoys solving real manufacturing problems, working hands-on, and being part of a team building something fundamentally new. Key Responsibilities • Create CAM programs for R&D tests, prototype parts, demonstration parts, and validation workflows, • Support machine setup, prove-outs, tool selection, fixture planning, and test preparation, • Work with engineering teams to design machining tests that generate useful technical data, • Help compare CAM intent, machine behavior, measured geometry, and actual part outcomes, • Support closed-loop testing where measurement data is used to evaluate or improve machining results, • Prepare and execute demonstrations for internal reviews, investors, partners, and future customers, • Work closely with software and AI teams to help them understand machining behavior, CAM logic, toolpath strategy, and real-world constraints, • Help identify causes of machining error, including setup issues, tool deflection, chatter, thermal behavior, machine variation, fixture issues, and programming assumptions, • Modify CAM programs and machining strategies based on test outcomes, • Document setups, tooling, parameters, machine conditions, and test results in a clear and repeatable way, • Support continuous improvement of 4MP’s testing, demo, and validation workflows, • Maintain a safe, organized, and disciplined approach to machine testing and R&D execution Who You Are You are a CAM engineer who enjoys the physical reality of machining. You understand that a CAM simulation is only the beginning. The real answer comes from the machine, the setup, the tool, the material, the fixture, the measurement data, and the final part. You are comfortable working hands-on, solving unexpected problems, and collaborating with software and engineering teams. You can explain machining behavior clearly to people who may not have your level of manufacturing experience. You are not looking for a repetitive production programming job. You are looking for a role where your CAM knowledge helps shape a new manufacturing platform. What We Require • Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Engineering Technology, or a related technical field, • 10+ years of professional experience in CAM programming, CNC machining support, manufacturing engineering, or related technical work, • Strong working knowledge of CAM software such as Mastercam, Fusion 360, NX CAM, PowerMill, Esprit, GibbsCAM, or similar platforms, • Understanding of CNC machining processes, toolpaths, workholding, tooling, speeds and feeds, setups, and machine constraints, • Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, GD&T, tolerances, and manufacturing requirements, • Experience supporting machine prove-outs, prototype builds, test parts, or manufacturing validation, • Ability to troubleshoot machining issues and adjust CAM strategies based on real-world results, • Strong documentation and communication skills, • Comfort working closely with software, AI, engineering, operations, and testing teams, • Ability to work fully on site in the Allentown / Bethlehem, Pennsylvania area What Will Set You Apart • Strong hands-on machining background, especially CNC milling, 3-axis, 4-axis, or 5-axis machining, • Experience designing CAD parts, test artifacts, fixtures, demonstration components, or validation geometries for machining and measurement workflows, • Ability to move from CAD part design to CAM strategy to machine execution to measured result, • Experience working directly on the shop floor with machines, tooling, fixtures, offsets, probing, and setup validation, • Experience in R&D, prototype development, advanced manufacturing, test labs, or demonstration environments, • Experience with high-precision machining in aerospace, medical devices, robotics, defense, automotive, or industrial equipment, • Experience with metrology, CMM, probing, laser scanning, optical measurement, or inspection workflows, • Understanding of G-code and how CAM output translates into real machine behavior, • Ability to diagnose machining errors such as chatter, deflection, tolerance drift, surface finish issues, thermal effects, and setup variation, • Experience working with software, automation, robotics, machine monitoring, or data-driven manufacturing systems, • Strong curiosity about how AI, software, and measurement can improve machining outcomes, • Startup or fast-paced R&D experience where speed, ownership, and adaptability are part of the role Why This Role Matters 4MP’s technology must work on real machines, with real parts, real setups, real tools, and real variation. This role helps connect the digital intelligence of 4MP’s platform to the physical reality of machining. Without strong CAM, testing, and demonstration execution, the software cannot be properly validated and the technology cannot be clearly shown. You will help create the tests, parts, workflows, and demonstrations that prove how autonomous manufacturing can work. Why Join Now This is the stage where 4MP is building its first full testing, demonstration, and validation environment. Joining now means you will be part of the core team defining how we test, prove, and demonstrate a new category of manufacturing technology. You will not simply create CAM programs. You will help build the bridge between CAM, CNC machines, measurement, software, AI, and closed-loop correction — and help shape what machining becomes next.