CNC Machinist - San Jose, United States
Originally posted 14 August 2026 by the employer.
Help build prototype parts and assemblies for frontier intelligence hardware.
About the role
As a CNC Machinist, you will join an in-house quick-turn prototyping shop, taking parts from CAD to finished metal, and contribute to shaping the shop's operations. This role focuses on manufacturing hardware for frontier intelligence, with an emphasis on inference-focused systems.
What you'll do
- Program CAM (Fusion 360 / Mastercam) from engineering CAD models and own jobs end-to-end, including setup, first article, and production of prototype parts.
- Design and build fixtures, soft jaws, and workholding.
- Set up and operate 3-axis CNC vertical mills, manual mill and lathe, and supporting shop equipment.
- Operate the sheet metal cell, including waterjet cutting and CNC press brake forming, nesting, and bend programming.
- TIG weld brackets, enclosures, and fixtures.
- Fabricate parts end-to-end: hardware insertion (PEM), deburring and surface finishing, and final fit-up of formed and welded assemblies.
- Manage the tool crib: track cutter and consumable inventory, buy tooling, and own vendor relationships.
- Inspect your own work using surface plate, height gauge, micrometers, and calipers to drawing GD&T.
- Support assembly and integration of prototype systems and racks.
What you'll need
- Trade school, apprenticeship, or journeyman machinist certification.
- Experience with Fusion 360 or Mastercam and Haas controls.
- Sheet metal fabrication experience: CNC press brake setup/operation, waterjet or laser cutting.
- TIG and/or MIG welding proficiency on aluminum and steel.
- Background in prototype, R&D, or quick-turn job shop environments.
- Experience owning tool crib inventory and tooling purchases.
- Basic CAD ability (Fusion 360, SolidWorks, or similar) for fixture design.
- Experience machining thermal/cooling components (coldplates, manifolds) or server/rack hardware.
- Comfort in a fast-moving startup environment with shifting priorities.
- Willingness to work extended hours and occasional weekends.
- Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. with assistance and stand for extended periods.
- Ability to obtain forklift certification.
Skills: CNC, CAM, Fusion 360, Mastercam, sheet metal, TIG welding
This role has been open 64 days — well above the 52-day median for Manufacturing/Industrial Engineering roles.
Manufacturing/Industrial Engineering · Manufacturing Equipment
|
Open roles in category
2523
|
Median days open
52 d
|
Median salary
$96k
|
See the full market breakdown ▾Category comparison, skills in demand, and who else is hiring
| Metric | Etched | All employers we track in this specialty (2523 roles · 80 employers) |
|---|---|---|
| Open roles in this specialty | 8 | 2523 |
| Open roles in the wider Process, Fab & Equipment family | 16 | 9862 · 109 employers |
| Median days open | 48 d | 52 d (−4 d vs this employer) |
| Median salary (USD postings) | — | $96k |
Skills observed across this category: CNC, CAM, Fusion 360, Mastercam, sheet metal, TIG welding
Who's hiring in this category
- Micron Technology · 398 open roles · median 78 d
- Applied Materials · 253 open roles · median 38 d
- Entegris · 228 open roles · median 37 d
- Lam Research · 108 open roles · median 59 d
- Infineon Technologies · 90 open roles · median 57 d
- STMicroelectronics · 69 open roles · median 53 d
How we counted: 2523 open Manufacturing/Industrial Engineering (Manufacturing Equipment) roles from 80 employers tracked in the SemiconductorJobs index, counted 17 Oct 2026. Specialty figures count only roles carrying this exact specialty label, so an employer's related work in neighbouring specialties is not included there — it is counted in the wider Process, Fab & Equipment family row. Figures refresh nightly.