Comma.ai, Inc.

🔎 At a glance

Company Name: comma.ai, Inc.
Location: San Diego, California
Shop Type: Technology OEM / In-House Prototype Shop
Industries Served: Automotive Technology • Autonomous Driving • Computing Hardware
Production Style: Prototypes • Product Development • One-Off Components
Machining Capabilities: CNC Milling • CNC Turning • 3D Printing
Primary Equipment: Haas VF-2 • CNC Lathe • 3D Printers
Work Environment: Fully On-Site

🏭 About comma.ai

comma.ai is a San Diego technology company developing openpilot, an open-source driving agent that provides upgraded driver-assistance capabilities for supported vehicles. The company also designs and manufactures the comma four—the hardware that runs openpilot.

Unlike a conventional machine shop producing parts for outside customers, comma.ai builds hardware for its own products. Its technology is already being used in the real world, with more than 300 million miles driven across approximately 20,000 users.

The company is now expanding its in-house manufacturing capabilities by establishing a prototype machine shop at its San Diego headquarters. The shop includes a Haas VF-2, CNC lathe and 3D printers, with a budget available for additional equipment, tooling and technology needed to bring more prototype manufacturing in-house.

Machining work supports current and future comma.ai products, ranging from automotive hardware like the comma four to new datacenter products such as the exabox. Parts frequently begin as early designs or evolving concepts rather than finalized production drawings.

comma.ai operates with a small, highly independent team. Employees are expected to solve difficult problems, take ownership of their work and contribute directly to products that are designed, tested and shipped to real users. For an experienced machinist, that means considerably more involvement in product development than a traditional CNC production role. Learn more about comma.ai.

👍 Why you’ll like working here

This is an opportunity to help build a prototype machine shop rather than simply step into an established production process.

Machinists can own projects from CAD model or initial sketch through CAM programming, setup, fixturing, machining, inspection and final iteration. You will work directly with the hardware team, solve unusual manufacturing problems and influence how future products are designed and built.

The work is highly varied and well suited to someone who enjoys one-off parts, ambiguous challenges and figuring out the best way to manufacture something. You will also have input into the machines, tooling and equipment comma.ai adds as the shop grows.

Additional benefits include health, dental and vision insurance, flexible time off, an on-site gym and yoga studio, chef-prepared meals and visa or green-card sponsorship. All positions are fully on-site at comma.ai’s San Diego headquarters. View comma.ai’s workplace and benefits.

⚙️ What you’ll be working on

The prototype shop supports hardware development across comma.ai’s automotive and datacenter products.

Projects may begin with a CAD model, rough sketch or developing engineering concept. From there, the machinist determines the CAM strategy, tooling, workholding, setup and inspection approach needed to produce a functional prototype.

The work includes CNC milling, CNC turning, 3D printing and close collaboration with the hardware engineering team. Parts will be inspected, tested and revised as designs evolve. This is primarily prototype and product-development work—not repetitive, high-volume production.

The person leading the shop will also help determine what additional equipment and processes should be brought in-house.

⭐ Shop highlights

• Newly established in-house prototype machine shop
• Ownership of parts from CAD through finished prototype
• Direct collaboration with hardware engineers
• High-variety, one-off product-development work
• Budget available for additional machines and tooling
• Products designed and manufactured in San Diego
• Small team with substantial individual responsibility
• Automotive and datacenter hardware projects
• On-site gym, yoga studio and chef-prepared meals
• Visa and green-card sponsorship available

🛠️ Machines & technology

CNC Milling
Haas VF-2

CNC Turning
CNC lathe; specific brand and model are not listed

Additive Manufacturing
In-house 3D printers

Programming & Engineering
CAD and CAM software used to take components from design through finished prototype; specific platforms are not listed

Additional Equipment
The shop has a budget to purchase additional machines, tooling and equipment as its in-house prototyping capabilities expand.

📏 Quality & inspection

Machinists are responsible for inspecting their own work and verifying that completed prototypes meet the requirements of the design. Because these are evolving product-development projects, quality also involves close attention to detail, effective troubleshooting and quickly incorporating feedback from the hardware team. No formal manufacturing certifications or specific inspection equipment have been listed.

💼 Current CNC career opportunities

• Prototype CNC Machinist / Machine Shop Lead

View current opportunities and apply through hireCNC.