Europe's defense industrial base cannot respond at the speed modern conflict requires. Legacy suppliers operate on month-long timelines. Tribal knowledge is retiring. Supply chains are fragile. SAEKI is building the operating system for autonomous factories — the infrastructure that lets Europe manufacture mission-critical components at software speed.
You'll own the subtractive manufacturing core of SAEKI: the precision machining operations that turn near-net-shape blanks and additively manufactured preforms into finished, aerospace-grade components. Your expertise directly determines whether we can hold the tolerances and surface finishes that the world's most demanding defense and aerospace primes require.
Manufacturing Lead: CNC
Munich (Factory ONE)
Full-time
Permanent employee
SAEKI - Manufacturing at software speed
The Role
As the Manufacturing Lead — CNC, you are the owner of all subtractive machining operations at Factory ONE. Your mandate is to establish, scale, and optimize our 5-axis CNC capabilities — from process development and toolpath strategy to operator training and production output. You are the bridge between our Manufacturing Intelligence software and the physical reality of machining.
Based on-site at Factory ONE in Munich, you will run the CNC department and ensure every part that leaves the machine meets spec, on time.
Based on-site at Factory ONE in Munich, you will run the CNC department and ensure every part that leaves the machine meets spec, on time.
What We're Looking For
- 7+ years of hands-on CNC experience, including significant time as a machinist or CAM programmer before moving into leadership. You understand spindle speeds, toolpath strategies, and fixturing tradeoffs at a visceral level.
- 5-Axis Mastery: Proven expertise programming and operating 5-axis machining centers for complex aerospace or defense geometries.
- CAM Proficiency: Expert-level ability in Hypermill or similar. You can evaluate a CAM setup, challenge a process plan, and know when a tolerance callout is unrealistic before it hits the shop floor.
- Team Leadership: Experience building and leading a machining team. You set the standard for quality and discipline on the shop floor.
- Quality Mindset: Deep familiarity with AS9100 or equivalent aerospace quality systems. You understand GD&T, first-article inspection, and traceability requirements.
- Software-Driven Mindset: You are energized — not threatened — by the idea that software and AI will automate significant portions of CAM programming and machine operation. You want to shape that future.
- Location: Based in Munich (on-site at Factory ONE).
- Language: Fluent in German and English.
What we're not looking for
- Supervisors who haven't touched a machine in years. You must be able to step in, diagnose a problem, and fix a setup.
- People who see automation as a threat to their expertise. We are building the future of manufacturing — you need to embrace it.
- Operators who prefer to work in isolation. This role requires constant collaboration with our software and AI teams.
- Leaders who manage by spreadsheet instead of by presence on the shop floor.
What we offer
- Mission: Rebuild the industrial sovereignty of the West. Your work directly enables the production of mission-critical hardware for defense and space.
- Total Ownership: High-stakes autonomy in your domain. You own both the problems and the solutions — and have the authority to execute.
- The Environment: Access to a 5,000m² state-of-the-art facility featuring 5-axis CNCs, industrial robots, and industrial 3D printers. Your work runs on real hardware from day one.
- The Team: "Special Forces" model. Everyone senior, everyone ships. No politics, no bureaucracy. Direct feedback, high standards.
- Compensation: Competitive salary + meaningful equity.
- Location: Factory ONE in Munich, depending on role. Hybrid options available where applicable.
Apply
- Resume: Focus on systems you've built and owned.
- Portfolio: Show us work you're proud of — code, machines, or production systems.
- Cover letter: Why this mission? Why now? What would you build first?Ausblend
About us
SAEKI is building the operating system for autonomous factories. The infrastructure that lets Europe manufacture mission-critical components at software speed.