Toolpath
• 165 min
#25 Chips, code, and career pivots with Al Whatmough
Chips and Tips Podcast
Play
Al Whatmough did not follow a traditional path into software leadership. In this episode of the Chips and Tips podcast, he reflects on a career shaped by machining, teaching, CAD, CAM, and a deep respect for the craft. From early days in a machine shop to helping bring CAM into Fusion and now leading Toolpath, Al shares how hands on experience continues to shape the way he thinks about productivity, trust, and building tools that actually help shops win.
Al Whatmough’s career has always been grounded in making things. Although many people know him as the CEO of Toolpath or as a key figure behind bringing CAM into Fusion, Al is quick to point out that his foundation came from time spent in machine shops, classrooms, and engineering labs. That mix of hands on work and problem solving shaped his belief that software for manufacturing must respect how shops really operate, not how spreadsheets say they should.
In this conversation, Al and host Tim Paul dig into what Toolpath actually is and how to explain it to both machinists and non machinists. Al describes toolpaths in simple, practical terms, comparing them to mowing a lawn and showing how Toolpath goes beyond generating motion by helping select the right tools and strategies. That focus reflects Toolpath’s broader mission to close the productivity gap by making CNC estimation and programming more consistent and predictable.
The episode also explores Al’s early experiences with machining, including memorable wins, painful mistakes, and the reality that much of his shop time involved CAD, prototyping, and early 3D printing. Those experiences helped him see firsthand how much time shops lose dealing with uncertainty, incomplete information, and rework. That insight directly informs how Toolpath approaches automation, not as replacement for machinists, but as a force multiplier that frees them to focus on what matters.
As the discussion turns toward leadership and startups, Al shares what occupies his thinking today. Rather than obsessing over growth for its own sake, he talks about finding sustainable ways to reach shops without wasting resources on shallow marketing. His goal is to invest time and energy into helping customers succeed, trusting that real value and word of mouth will carry further than ads ever could.
The episode closes with reflections on career turning points, mentorship, and faith. From teaching high school shop classes to product leadership at Autodesk and eventually stepping into the CEO role at Toolpath, Al’s story is one of curiosity, service, and humility. It is also a reminder that the best manufacturing software leaders are often the ones who still think like machinists.
Watch 'From Chips, code, and career pivots with Al Whatmough
