CNC Machinist

Etched is building hardware for frontier intelligence. We co-design chips, racks, software, and manufacturing to deliver best-in-class throughput and latency across both prefill and decode workloads. Our first products are heavily focused on inference. Backed by hundreds of millions from top-tier investors and staffed by leading engineers, Etched is redefining the infrastructure layer for the fastest growing industry in history. Job Summary: Hardware as ambitious as we are building is won or lost in iteration speed. To meet that requirement, we are standing up an in-house quick-turn prototyping shop at our 80,000 square foot Milpitas facility: CNC machining, a full sheet metal cell (waterjet + CNC press brake), and system assembly. As one of the first machinist/fabricators on the floor, you will take parts from CAD to finished metal the same week — sometimes the same day — and help shape how the shop itself runs.

Responsibilities

Program CAM (Fusion 360 / Mastercam) from engineering CAD models and own jobs end-to-end: setup, first article, and production of prototype parts; Design and build fixtures, soft jaws, and workholding to make repeat jobs fast; Set up and operate 3-axis CNC vertical mills, manual mill and lathe, and supporting shop equipment; Operate the sheet metal cell: waterjet cutting and CNC press brake forming, including nesting and bend programming; TIG weld brackets, enclosures, and fixtures as needed; Fabricate parts end-to-end: hardware insertion (PEM), deburring and surface finishing, and final fit-up of formed and welded assemblies; Manage the tool crib: track cutter and consumable inventory, buy tooling, and own vendor relationships for cutters, stock, and shop supplies; Inspect your own work using surface plate, height gauge, micrometers, and calipers to drawing GD&T; Support assembly and integration of prototype systems and racks when the schedule calls for it; Be flexible and help out around the shop: machine maintenance, material handling, rigging support, and keeping the floor safe and organized; Give design-for-manufacturability feedback directly to the engineers who sit a few steps away

Requirements

Trade school, apprenticeship, or journeyman machinist certification; Experience with Fusion 360 or Mastercam and Haas controls; Sheet metal fabrication experience: CNC press brake setup/operation, waterjet or laser cutting; TIG and/or MIG welding proficiency on aluminum and steel; Background in prototype, R&D, or quick-turn job shop environments where every job is different; Experience owning tool crib inventory and tooling purchases; Basic CAD ability (Fusion 360, SolidWorks, or similar) for fixture design; Experience machining thermal/cooling components (coldplates, manifolds) or server/rack hardware; Comfort in a fast-moving startup environment with shifting priorities; This position is based on-site in San Jose, CA and Milpitas, CA; Willingness to work extended hours and occasional weekends to support program-critical builds; Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. with assistance and stand for extended periods on a shop floor; Ability to obtain forklift certification

Nice to have

Experience owning tool crib inventory and tooling purchases; Basic CAD ability (Fusion 360, SolidWorks, or similar) for fixture design; Experience machining thermal/cooling components (coldplates, manifolds) or server/rack hardware; Comfort in a fast-moving startup environment with shifting priorities

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision packages with generous premium coverage; $500 per month credit for waiving medical benefits; Housing subsidy of $2k per month for those living within walking distance of the office; Relocation support for those moving to San Jose (Santana Row); Various wellness benefits covering fitness, mental health, and more; Daily lunch and dinner in our office; Unlimited compute budget subject to ROI justification