Robotics CNC Machinist — Prototyping & Quick-Turn Parts

Kovari; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Kovari in San Francisco is seeking a hands-on CNC machinist who will own machining for our robots. You will program and operate Haas mills, set up fixtures, and ensure parts meet tight tolerances while collaborating with engineers in the field.

This role blends prototyping and small runs with ongoing manufacturing, requiring a bias toward action, strong metrology, and a readiness to iterate designs in real time.

Qualifications

• Hands-on CNC milling experience with Haas preferred.
• CAM fluency (Fusion, Mastercam, or similar) and reading drawings with GD&T.
• Strong metrology instincts: measure parts and judge in/out of tolerance.
• Experience in aluminum and steel; comfortable with one-offs and short runs.
• Bonus: fixture design, welding, lathe, robotics background.
• Bias toward action: program fast, cut, inspect, and fix the process if drift occurs.

Responsibilities

• Program and operate CNC mills (Haas VF-2SS and similar): CAM, setups, fixtures, tool selection, and proven processes
• Machine robot parts from engineering drawings and CAD: brackets, plates, housings, shafts, linkages, and custom fixtures
• Own shop workflow: material, tooling, workholding, inspection, and turnaround so engineers are never waiting on parts
• Inspect to print: calipers, micrometers, height gauges, and basic GD&T; catch bad parts before they hit the robot
• Maintain the machines and shop: tooling inventory, consumables, cleanliness, and basic preventive maintenance
• Partner with mechanical engineers on DFM: suggest edits that cut faster, hold tighter, or assemble cleaner
• Support quick-turn prototypes and small production batches as the robot design iterates

Skills

CNC milling

GD&T reading

Metrology

Aluminum & steel

One-offs & short runs

Fixture design (bonus)

Tools

Fusion 360

Mastercam

CAD drawings

Job description

Kovari in San Francisco is seeking a hands-on CNC machinist who will own machining for our robots. You will program and operate Haas mills, set up fixtures, and ensure parts meet tight tolerances while collaborating with engineers in the field.

This role blends prototyping and small runs with ongoing manufacturing, requiring a bias toward action, strong metrology, and a readiness to iterate designs in real time.