What are the responsibilities and job description for the CNC Programmer position at Fab2?
About fab2
The fab2 team can build anything. We design all the hardware and software needed to make chips and we make the fabs, tools, and components ourselves.
We're looking for exceptional, hands-on people who can iterate to the limits of what's possible.
fab2 was founded by Sam Zeloof and Jim Keller. 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 fab2 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
fab2 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 fab2
We’re an early-stage hardware startup with solid funding, world-class advisors, and a lab/office in San Francisco, CA.
Benefits: fab2 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.
fab2, formerly known as Atomic Semi