CNC Prototype Machinist / Head of Prototyping

🔎 At a glance

Company: comma.ai, Inc.
Location: San Diego, California
Pay: $80,000–$120,000 per year
Job type: Full-time
Work environment: On-site
Machines: Haas VF-2 • CNC lathe • 3D printers
Focus: Prototype machining • CAM programming • Shop leadership

👍 Why join comma.ai?

comma.ai is a small technology company building openpilot—an open-source driving agent used by drivers around the world. The company designs and manufactures its hardware in San Diego, and now it is bringing more prototype manufacturing in-house.

This is not a production machining position where you run the same established job every day. You will take ownership of comma.ai’s new machine shop and lead prototype manufacturing for future products, including automotive hardware and new datacenter systems.

The shop currently includes a Haas VF-2, a CNC lathe and 3D printers, with a budget to add the tooling and equipment needed to expand its capabilities. You will own parts from CAD through finished prototype, working directly with the hardware team to turn early concepts and ambiguous designs into functional components.

For a resourceful CNC machinist who enjoys solving problems, building things and having real influence over how a shop operates, this is a rare opportunity.

⚙️ What you’ll be doing

• Run and continue building out comma.ai’s in-house prototype machine shop
• Lead prototype manufacturing for current and future comma.ai products
• Take parts from CAD models or early design concepts through finished prototypes
• Develop CAM programs and machining strategies
• Plan setups, tooling, workholding and fixturing
• Set up and operate CNC milling and turning equipment
• Inspect completed components and verify dimensional accuracy
• Troubleshoot machining and manufacturing challenges
• Iterate quickly with the hardware team as designs evolve
• Recommend additional machines, tooling and shop equipment
• Help establish efficient processes for bringing prototype work fully in-house

🛠️ Machines, controls & software

CNC mill: Haas VF-2
Turning: CNC lathe
Additional equipment: 3D printers
Controls: Haas experience is preferred
Software: CAD and CAM software experience required; specific platforms are not listed

⭐ Shop highlights

• Take ownership of a newly established prototype machine shop
• Lead machining and prototype manufacturing—not just machine operation
• Work directly with the hardware engineering team
• Own projects from CAD through finished component
• High-mix prototype work with frequent design iteration
• Haas VF-2, CNC turning and additive manufacturing capabilities
• Budget available for additional tools and equipment
• Build parts for autonomous-driving and datacenter hardware
• Small team with substantial individual ownership
• Products are designed and manufactured in San Diego

✅ What we’re looking for

Required

• Hands-on CAM programming experience
• CNC machine setup and machining experience
• Ability to take a design from concept through a working prototype
• Strong attention to detail
• Resourcefulness when working with incomplete or evolving designs
• Ability to independently plan tooling, fixturing and machining processes
• Examples of projects or products you have personally built
• English-language proficiency

Preferred

• Haas CNC machining experience
• Mechanical engineering knowledge
• CAD modeling experience
• Prototype machining or product-development experience
• Experience establishing or managing an in-house machine shop
• CNC lathe experience
• Experience with 3D printing or additive manufacturing

👍 Why you’ll like working here

You will have the freedom to decide how parts should be made, what the shop needs and how comma.ai can move more prototype work in-house.

The role offers considerably more ownership than a typical CNC Machinist position. You will work on early-stage products, collaborate directly with the people designing them and see your work become part of real hardware. If you enjoy variety, difficult one-off projects and building capabilities from the ground up, this position provides plenty of room to make an impact.

💰 Pay, benefits & schedule

Pay: $80,000–$120,000 per year

Benefits and workplace perks include:

• Medical, dental and vision insurance
• Flexible paid time off
• On-site gym and yoga studio
• Chef-prepared lunch and dinner
• Visa and green-card sponsorship

Schedule: Full-time, on-site in San Diego. Specific working hours and overtime expectations are not listed.

🏭 About comma.ai

comma.ai is a San Diego technology company building openpilot, an open-source driving agent designed to make supported vehicles more capable. The company also develops the comma four, the hardware that runs openpilot.

Its growing fleet drives hundreds of millions of miles each year across real-world roads around the world. Unlike companies focused only on software development, comma.ai designs and manufactures its hardware in San Diego.

The company operates with a small, highly independent team where employees are expected to take ownership, solve difficult problems and build working products. This CNC Prototype Machinist and Head of Prototyping position will support upcoming comma.ai products ranging from automotive hardware to new datacenter systems.

🚀 Apply today

Want to build unusual hardware and take ownership of a new prototype machine shop?

Apply by emailing work@comma.ai with examples of interesting projects or products you have built.