Palo Alto, California

Prototyping Technician, Machining

We’re looking for a Prototyping Technician with deep manual lathe, manual mill, and CNC machining skills. You’ll prototype robot parts, partner with hardware engineers, and keep the shop running smoothly to support rapid hardware iteration. 

This is a hands-on, full-time role based in Palo Alto. 

WHAT YOU’LL DO

  • Manual machining: Set up and run manual lathes and mills to fabricate prototype and low‑volume parts in various metals

  • CNC programming & operation: Create CAM toolpaths, set fixtures, and operate 3‑/4‑axis mills and CNC lathes to hit tight tolerances

  • Collaborate with engineers: Review prints, suggest design‑for‑manufacture tweaks, and plan machining strategies

  • Inspect & iterate: Verify dimensions with calipers, micrometers, or CMM and refine processes until fit/function is correct

  • Maintain the shop: Keep machines and workspaces clean, maintain inventory of consumables and raw materials, enforce safety protocols

  • Design tools and fixtures: Build simple jigs, vices, or soft jaws to speed up setups and validation

Requirements

Apply Now