Machinist Technician

Alten Technology USA; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Alten Technology USA in San Francisco is seeking a skilled machinist to operate and maintain the machine shop, including CNC mill, lathe, waterjet, laser cutter, and 3D printing equipment to fabricate parts requested by Engineering. This role requires strong self-direction and the ability to manage workload with minimal supervision.

The ideal candidate will read and interpret engineering drawings, produce parts to specification, and collaborate with Engineering to meet timelines.

Qualifications

• Hands-on machining experience across CNC, waterjet, laser, and additive manufacturing equipment.
• Ability to read and interpret technical schematics, diagrams, blueprints, and drawings.
• Experience with CAM software and CNC programming.

Responsibilities

• Operate CNC mill, lathe, waterjet, laser cutter, and 3D printers to produce parts to specification.
• Read and interpret CAD drawings, technical schematics, and blueprints to determine fabrication requirements.
• Use CAM software to generate CNC toolpaths and run programs to close fabrication tickets.
• Perform quality checks on finished parts to verify tolerances.
• Troubleshoot machining issues, adjust programs, and resolve equipment problems.
• Manage daily work order prioritization and production scheduling with input from the Machine Shop Supervisor.
• Keep the shop floor organized and production-ready at all times.
• Perform routine maintenance on all shop equipment to prevent downtime.
• Coordinate with Engineering to clarify part requirements, timelines, and priorities.
• Maintain consumables inventory and reorder supplies before stockouts.
• Track tooling wear and replacement needs across all shop equipment.
• Procure tools, materials, and equipment needed for fabrication requests.
• Flag large purchases or capital equipment needs to the Machine Shop Supervisor.
• Maintain accurate records of completed work orders and material usage.
• Provide status updates to the Machine Shop Supervisor on output and delays.
• Document recurring fabrication processes to build a reference library.
• Communicate with Engineering to confirm specifications and report completion.

Skills

CNC milling

CNC turning

Waterjet cutting

Laser cutting

3D printing

Engineering drawings interpretation

CAM software

Troubleshooting

Time management

Self-direction

Tools

CAM software

3D printing workflows

GD&T knowledge

Job description

We’re ALTEN Technology USA, an engineering company helping clients bring groundbreaking ideas to life—from advancing space exploration and life‑saving medical devices to building autonomous electric vehicles. With 3,000+ experts across North America, we partner with leading companies in aerospace, medical devices, robotics, automotive, commercial vehicles, EVs, rail, and more.

As part of the global ALTEN Group—57,000+ engineers in 30 countries, we deliver across the entire product development cycle, from consulting to full project outsourcing.

When you join ALTEN Technology USA, you’ll collaborate on some of the world’s toughest engineering challenges, supported by mentorship, career growth opportunities, and comprehensive benefits. We take pride in fostering a culture where employees feel valued, supported, and inspired to grow.

Job Summary

Operate and maintain the machine shop, including CNC mill, lathe, waterjet, laser cutter, and 3D printing equipment to fabricate parts requested by Engineering. This role requires someone who can manage their own workload, prioritize competing requests, and execute independently with minimal day‑to‑day supervision.

The ideal candidate will bring hands‑on machining experience, the ability to interpret engineering drawings and produce parts to specification, and strong self‑direction to keep the shop running and fabrication tickets closing on schedule.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Machining & Fabrication

• Operate CNC mill, lathe, waterjet, laser cutter, and 3D printers to produce parts to specification
• Read and interpret CAD drawings, technical schematics, and blueprints to determine fabrication requirements
• Use CAM software to generate CNC toolpaths and run programs to close fabrication tickets
• Perform quality checks on finished parts to verify they meet engineering tolerances
• Troubleshoot machining issues, adjust programs, and resolve equipment problems as they arise

Shop Operations & Organization

• Manage daily work order prioritization and production scheduling with remote input from the Machine Shop Supervisor
• Keep the shop floor organized, clean, and production‑ready at all times
• Perform routine maintenance on all shop equipment to prevent unplanned downtime
• Coordinate with Engineering to clarify part requirements, timelines, and priorities

Inventory & Procurement

• Maintain consumables inventory and reorder supplies before stockouts occur
• Track tooling wear and replacement needs across all shop equipment
• Procure tools, materials, and equipment needed to fulfill fabrication requests
• Flag large purchases or capital equipment needs to the Machine Shop Supervisor

Documentation & Communication

• Maintain accurate records of completed work orders, material usage, and equipment maintenance
• Provide status updates to the Machine Shop Supervisor on shop output, delays, and equipment issues
• Document recurring fabrication processes to build a reference library for common parts
• Communicate with Engineering to confirm specifications and report completion of requests

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 2 years of hands‑on machine shop experience
• Experience operating CNC mills and lathes
• Experience operating waterjet cutters, laser cutters, or both
• Experience with 3D printing workflows and materials
• Ability to read and interpret technical schematics, diagrams, blueprints, and engineering drawings
• Working knowledge of CAM software and CNC program generation
• Ability to troubleshoot machining and equipment issues independently
• Strong time management and self‑direction, with the ability to prioritize work and meet deadlines without direct oversight

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience with multiple 3D printing technologies (FDM, SLA, SLS)
• Familiarity with GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing)
• Experience with manual machining (manual mill, manual lathe)
• Knowledge of materials science as it applies to machining and fabrication
• Experience with shop inventory management or procurement systems

SKILLS & COMPETENCIES

• Technical: Strong hands‑on machining ability across CNC, waterjet, laser, and additive manufacturing equipment
• Problem‑Solving: Identifies root causes of machining issues and resolves them without escalation when possible
• Communication: Provides clear updates to remote supervision and coordinates with Engineering on requirements and
• timelines
• Organization: Keeps the shop, inventory, and documentation in order so work flows without delays

Salary Range: $90,000-$105,000/K

The actual salary offered is dependent on various factors including, but not limited to, location, the candidate’s combination of job‑related knowledge, qualifications, skills, education, training, and experience

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, genetic information, or pregnancy.

Compliance Notice: Alten USA is a federal contractor subject to the requirements of the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) and Executive Order 11246. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.

Drug Screening Requirement: As a federal contractor, Alten USA maintains a drug‑free workplace. All candidates selected for employment will be required to successfully complete a pre‑employment drug screening as a condition of hire.