Machinist (CNC & Manual)

Solcoa Industries; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive base salary

Equity (stock options)

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Company-provided lunch daily

Visa sponsorship available

Job summary

Solcoa Industries seeks a Machinist (CNC & Manual) to turn prints and CAD models into finished parts for reactors, fixtures, and prototype hardware. You will run CNC mills and lathes, set up tooling, verify dimensions, and contribute to fast, high-precision components in a hardware-first environment.

You will collaborate with engineers on manufacturability, design fixtures, and maintain shop discipline as we scale production and R&D efforts. Visa sponsorship available if needed.

Qualifications

• 3+ years machining experience on CNC and manual mills/lathes.
• Ability to read and interpret GD&T on mechanical drawings.
• Experience machining stainless and specialty alloys to tight tolerances.

Responsibilities

• Machine parts from prints and CAD models on CNC and manual mills and lathes.
• Program, set up, and run CNC jobs with appropriate tooling, speeds, and feeds.
• Hold tight tolerances and document inspection results with calipers, micrometers, and gauges.
• Turn around quick-turn prototype and repair work for R&D and plant operations, often same day.
• Design and build fixtures, jigs, and tooling to improve shop efficiency.
• Collaborate with engineers on design-for-manufacturability and feedback improvements.
• Maintain shop with upkeep, tooling inventory, organization, and safety practices.

Skills

Program CNC toolpaths

Read GD&T on drawings

Machining stainless & alloys to tight

Independent, disciplined execution

Tools

Fusion 360

Mastercam

SolidWorks

CAD proficiency

Job description

Making the Metals Powering the World

Solcoa is building the next generation of American metalmaking, starting with rare earths — the metals of power and motion. We’ve developed a new chemistry that converts rare earth oxides into high-purity metals — the materials inside every EV, fighter jet, wind turbine, and data center — cleaner, cheaper, and faster than any conventional process. Now we’re scaling it to thousands of tonnes of annual production.

The Role — Machinist (CNC & Manual)

Own the machine shop. You’ll turn prints and sketches from our engineers into finished parts—same-day when it matters—machining components for reactors, furnaces, fixtures, and prototype hardware that goes straight onto the plant floor. You’ll set the standard for precision, throughput, and shop discipline as we scale from pilot plant to production.

What You’ll Do

• Machine parts from prints and CAD models on CNC and manual mills and lathes—stainless, carbon steel, aluminum, copper, graphite, and specialty alloys.

• Program, set up, and run CNC jobs (Fusion 360 / Mastercam or similar CAM); select tooling, speeds, and feeds for one-offs and small batches.

• Hold tight tolerances and verify dimensions with calipers, micrometers, gauges, and indicators; document inspection results.

• Turn around quick-turn prototype and repair work for R&D and plant operations—often same day.

• Design and build fixtures, jigs, and tooling that make the whole shop faster.

• Work with engineers on design-for-manufacturability; mark up drawings and feed back improvements.

• Maintain the shop: machine upkeep, tooling inventory, organization, and safety practices for hot work and rotating equipment.

What You Bring

Required

• 3+ years machining experience with proven skill on both CNC and manual mills and lathes.

• Ability to program CNC toolpaths (conversational or CAM) and to read and interpret GD&T on mechanical drawings.

• Experience machining stainless and specialty alloys to tight tolerances.

• Disciplined, reliable execution—on spec, on time, with excellent documentation.

• Comfort working independently in a fast-paced, hardware-first environment.

• Availability to start soon.

Preferred

• Experience supporting R&D or prototype shops where requirements change daily.

• TIG welding and general fabrication ability.

• Experience with graphite, refractory metals, or vacuum/furnace components.

• CAD proficiency (SolidWorks, Fusion 360) for simple part and fixture design.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive base salary

• Equity (stock options)

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance

• Company-provided lunch daily

• Visa sponsorship available if needed