Sr. 3D C++ Software Engineer (On-site)

Sr. 3D C++ Software Engineer

The software team is part of the Global Manufacturing Engineering (GME). Alongside GME's Hardware Controls, Manufacturing Process, and Automated Quality Control teams, we build the geometrical compiler behind Spark™ Clear Aligners: the math-heavy software stack that turns digital treatment intent into physical parts at production scale. Our systems decide how geometry gets transformed, nested, validated, and translated into instructions that run across a global factory footprint producing more than 100,000 unique parts per day.
This is not generic application development. Our code drives scanners, printers, mills, and other fab equipment. Physical reality is the unit test. When the math is wrong, parts are wrong.
We are hiring a Sr. 3D C++ Software Engineer who is genuinely strong in applied math, understands the physics behind manufactured parts and processes, and can turn that reasoning into production-grade C++. You will work on the core algorithms and services that bridge CAD to CAM: geometry processing, numerical optimization, physical constraint modeling, and the software interfaces that let those models run reliably in production.
You should be comfortable moving from formulating a problem from first principles to shipping the implementation without handholding. If deriving a normal from three points on a triangle, reasoning about numerical stability, or solving a nonlinear equation numerically feels outside your daily toolkit, this is likely not the right role. At this production volume, a solver running at 99.9% reliability still generates roughly 100 support escalations per day. Correctness isn't a quality bar — it's a throughput constraint.
This is a full-time and on-site five days/week engineering role in Pomona, CA. Rapid development here depends on being next to the hardware and the people using it. You will work directly with R&D equipment such as scanners, 3D printers, CNC systems, and metrology tools, shortening the loop between idea, code, experiment, measurement, and revision from weeks to days.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Build the mathematical core: Formulate, design, and implement algorithms for 3D geometry processing, numerical optimization, spatial reasoning, and CAD/CAM translation in a production manufacturing environment.
Model physical constraints in software: Turn real-world process behavior, machine limits, material effects, and measurement data into robust computational models that survive contact with actual hardware.
Write expert-level C++: Develop high-performance, maintainable C++20 systems for compute-heavy workloads where correctness, numerical robustness, and runtime behavior all matter.
Prototype with purpose: Use Python, NumPy, SciPy, and related tools when they speed up discovery, then harden the right ideas into production services.
Run tight hardware-software loops: Work side by side with R&D and Operations to test algorithms on equipment, inspect outputs, understand failure modes, and iterate quickly based on measured results.
Ship math in real systems: Package algorithms behind gRPC and Protobuf interfaces, operate within Bazel- and Conan-based builds, and make sound choices about how compute-heavy services run in Docker and AWS Kubernetes environments.
Any duties or tasks assigned by Manager.
Examples of the Work:
Detect geometry with no downward path to the build plate and automatically generate support structures that prevent mid-print failure — without adding unnecessary material or obstructing neighboring parts.
Given a hollow 3D-printed part with non-uniform structural loading, compute the wall thickness profile it actually needs — then implement the custom offset surface that produces it.
Register a 3D scan of a printed mold against its digital blueprint, segment the surface into regions by structural importance, and produce a localized deviation map that flags quality failures at production scale.
Given a 5-axis CNC toolpath, find the velocity profile that keeps every drive within its speed and acceleration limits without unnecessarily slowing the overall cut.
Job Requirements:
Bachelor's degree in computer science, a related technical field, or equivalent practical experience.
5+ years of professional software development experience, including substantial work in large modern C++ codebases.
Deep fluency in 3D geometry, linear algebra, numerical methods, and optimization. You should be able to reason from first principles.
Experience in the physics that sit underneath geometric or manufacturing problems, with the judgment to translate continuous models into stable discrete implementations.
Demonstrated ability to formulate and implement mathematically demanding algorithms in production-quality C++ with attention to correctness, performance, memory behavior, and maintainability.
Experience building software for computational geometry, CAD/CAM, scientific computing, graphics, robotics, simulation, or another domain where math and physical constraints materially shape the solution.
Must reside within a commutable distance to Pomona, CA. This is not a remote or hybrid opportunity.
Preferred Qualifications:
Hands-on experience with libraries such as CGAL, Eigen, Embree, VTK, or Draco. Experience with ICP or point cloud registration is a strong plus.
Strong command of modern C++20, including the engineering judgment to build reliable abstractions around complex numeric code.
Experience using Python for fast numerical prototyping and using Go where backend integration benefits from it.
Familiarity with gRPC, Protobuf, Bazel, Conan, Docker, Helm, and AWS Kubernetes for shipping compute-heavy services.
Experience instrumenting production systems with OpenTelemetry, Prometheus, Loki, Clickhouse, or Grafana. Direct work with manufacturing or lab equipment such as CNC machines, 3D printers, scanners, vision systems, or metrology tools.
Abilities:
Basic project management experience, good organization, and prioritization skills
Must possess excellent communication (technical, oral, written) and the ability to describe complex technical issues clearly.
Able to follow instructions and guidelines set forth by the Manager.
Driven and motivated individual with demonstrated critical thinking and analytical skills.
Ability to discern trends and analyze operational and financial reports.
Under general supervision, plan, conduct, lead, and report on significant projects. Review progress, evaluate results, and inform company management on assigned project direction and status.
A team player that can work well under constrained deadlines and communicate effectively with technical and non-technical personnel.
Follows directions well and is a self-starter in identifying what is critical to the success of the project.
Ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly to software, manufacturing, R&D, and operations stakeholders.
Ability to reason from first principles and make sound engineering judgments in math-heavy software systems.
Ability to prioritize technical work in a production manufacturing environment where correctness, reliability, and throughput matter.
Ability to work independently on ambiguous technical problems and drive them from formulation through implementation and validation.
Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including R&D, Manufacturing Engineering, Operations, and Quality.
Ability to follow applicable safety, quality, regulatory, and compliance procedures when working near R&D or manufacturing equipment.
Ability to travel at least 10% of the time to various manufacturing sites, both domestically and internationally, to oversee process implementation and provide on-site support.
Physical Demands:
Working hours and shifts will vary and are dependent upon business needs.
The noise level in the office environment is low, but moderate to loud in manufacturing areas.
The employee must follow applicable safety procedures when working near manufacturing equipment.
Ability to stand and/or sit for long periods of time as required by business needs.
Occasional bending, reaching, or handling of lightweight parts or test artifacts may be required.
Occasionally push, pull, lift and/or bend as required.
Must be able to lift up to 10 pounds.
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Target Market Salary Range: $168,300 - $205,700
Operating Company: Ormco