Prototype Machinist (7:00am to 3:30pm)

Atomic Machines Inc.; United States; On-site; USD 48,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Atomic Machines in Emeryville, CA is seeking a Prototype Machinist to take ownership of precision parts from start to finish in a fast-paced R&D setting. You will program, set up, and operate CNC mills and lathes (3- and 5-axis), develop CAM workflows, design fixtures, select tooling, and inspect parts with metrology equipment, collaborating with engineers to improve manufacturability.

This hands-on role supports a 24/7 machine shop on a 5-2 schedule with equity and benefits, and requires

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent practical experience.
• 2+ years CNC machining experience in high precision industries.
• Strong CAM programming and setup experience.
• Experience with GD&T and quality inspection.
• Ability to support 24/7 operation on a 5-2 schedule, on-site Emeryville.

Responsibilities

• Read and interpret engineering drawings, CAD models, GD&T callouts, work instructions, and inspection requirements.
• Own parts from planning to delivery, including setup and documentation.
• Program, set up, prove out, troubleshoot, and operate CNC mills and lathes (3- and 5-axis).
• Develop CAM programs using Fusion 360 or similar platforms (Mastercam, HyperMill, FeatureCAM).
• Design fixtures, soft jaws, vacuum fixtures, and other workholding solutions.
• Select tools, create tool lists, and prepare jobs for execution.
• Machine precision parts across materials like aluminum, titanium, stainless steel, ceramics, polymers.
• Inspect using CMM data, calipers, micrometers, height gauges, indicators, and adjust processes.
• Collaborate with engineering to identify manufacturability risks and improve designs.
• Manage multiple jobs by priority, due dates, and production needs.
• Train new employees on equipment and safe shop practices.
• Maintain a clean, safe shop and follow all policies.

Skills

CNC Machining

GD&T

CAM programming

Fusion 360

5-axis milling

CMM inspection

Fixture design

Tooling

Reading drawings

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Fusion 360

Mastercam

HyperMill

FeatureCAM

Job description

Atomic Machines is ushering in a new era of micromanufacturing with its Matter Compiler™ technology platform. This platform enables new classes of micromachines to be designed and built by providing manufacturing processes and a materials library that are inaccessible to semiconductor manufacturing methods. It unlocks MEMS manufacturing not only for device classes that could never be produced by semiconductor methods, but also for entirely new categories. Furthermore, this digital platform is fully programmable in the way 3D printing is digital—but whereas 3D printing produces parts of a single material using a single process, the Matter Compiler™ technology platform is a multi-process, multi-material system: bits and raw materials go in, and complete, functional micromachines come out. The Atomic Machines team has also created an exciting first device—made possible only through the Matter Compiler™ technology platform that we will be unveiling to the world soon.

Our offices are in Emeryville and Santa Clara, California.

About The Role:

Atomic Machines is looking for a Prototype Machinist to join our machine shop in Emeryville, CA. In this role, you will take ownership of precision machined parts from start to finish, including material and tooling selection, CAM programming, fixture and workholding design, CNC setup and operation, in process inspection, and final part verification.

This is a hands-on role in a fast-paced prototype and R&D environment. You will work directly with engineers to turn complex designs into high-quality hardware, provide manufacturability feedback, and help shorten the path from concept to functional part. The right person is comfortable moving quickly, solving ambiguous machining problems, holding tight tolerances, and adjusting priorities as designs evolve. This role supports a 24/7 machine shop operation on a 5-2 schedule, with shift assignments based on business and production needs.

What You’ll Do:

• Read and interpret detailed engineering drawings, CAD models, GD&T callouts, work instructions, and inspection requirements.
• Own machined parts from start to finish, including planning, programming, setup, machining, inspection, documentation, and delivery.
• Program, set up, prove out, troubleshoot, and operate CNC mills and lathes, including 3-axis and 5-axis milling equipment across multiple machines during the shift.
• Develop efficient CAM programs using Fusion 360 or similar platforms such as Mastercam, HyperMill, or FeatureCAM.
• Design setups, fixtures, soft jaws, vacuum fixtures, and other creative workholding solutions for one-off, prototype, and low-volume parts.
• Select tools, create tool lists, order tooling and materials, and prepare jobs for efficient execution.
• Machine precision parts across a range of materials, including aluminum, titanium, stainless steel, ceramics, and engineering polymers.
• Inspect parts using CMM data, calipers, micrometers, height gauges, indicators, and other metrology tools, then adjust machining processes to produce conforming hardware.
• Collaborate closely with engineering to identify manufacturability risks, improve designs, reduce machining time, and increase part quality.
• Manage multiple jobs based on priority, due dates, material availability, machine capacity, and changing engineering needs.
• Delegate appropriate setup, machining, inspection, and shop support tasks to shop technicians based on priority, skill level, and production needs.
• Document setups, inspection results, lessons learned, and process changes so future builds become faster and more repeatable.
• Maintain a clean, safe, organized machine shop and follow all shop policies, safety procedures, and company requirements.
• Train new employees, engineers, and other internal shop users on equipment, setup practices, and safe shop behavior.

What You’ll Need:

• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent practical experience.
• 2+ years of hands-on CNC machining experience in aerospace, medical device, semiconductor, robotics, automotive, or another high precision industry.
• Strong experience programming, setting up, proving out, and operating CNC mills and lathes, including 3-axis and 5-axis machining.
• Experience with toolpath strategy, tool selection, work offsets, probing, setup verification, and process troubleshooting.
• Demonstrated proficiency with at least one modern CAM platform. Fusion 360 experience is strongly preferred.
• Strong understanding of machining fundamentals, including feeds and speeds, tool wear, surface finish, workholding, rigidity, and tolerance stackup.
• Ability to read complex prints, interpret GD&T, and hold tight tolerances, including features below 0.001 inch or 25 microns when required.
• Strong inspection and metrology skills, with the ability to verify hardware against engineering specifications.
• Ability to design practical fixtures, soft jaws, and custom tooling for prototype parts with limited direction.
• Experience working in a fast-paced prototype, R&D, or low-volume production environment where priorities and requirements can change quickly.
• Ability to manage multiple projects at once, reprioritize quickly, and maintain attention to detail under schedule pressure.
• Clear and proactive communication style, especially when flagging manufacturability risks, schedule risks, quality concerns, or unclear drawing requirements.
• Proficiency with manual shop equipment such as mills, lathes, drill presses, saws, lapping machines, and basic hand tools.
• Physical ability to stand for long periods, lift up to 50 lbs, wear required PPE, and follow all company safety requirements.
• Ability to support a 24/7 operation on a 5-2 schedule, including assigned shifts based on business and production needs.
• Ability to work onsite in Emeryville, CA.

The compensation for this position also includes equity and benefits.
Salary Range $35 — $55 USD