A composite part program post-processor that produces a composite part program for use with a computer-numerical control (CNC) multihead composite material application machine. The post-processor includes a definition receiver, a route delineator, an approach and departure profiler, a machine axis solution computer, and an output file composer. The definition receiver receives material application path definitions, for example, from a composite part program generator. The route delineator delineates tool carriage and manufacturing tool routes. In addition, the approach and departure profiler adds approach and departure profiles to the paths, and the machine axis position computer computes machine axis positions to control the composite material application machine and guide the composite material application heads along the paths. The output file composer then composes a CNC composite part program.