Hardware Technician
Santa Rosa, CA · On-site
... engineers as well as field demonstrations as we scale Archimedes from prototype toward production. What You'll Own: * Fabrication and machining of mechanical parts using mill, lathe, and CNC ...
Hardware Technician
Santa Rosa, CA · On-site
... engineers as well as field demonstrations as we scale Archimedes from prototype toward production. What You'll Own: * Fabrication and machining of mechanical parts using mill, lathe, and CNC ...
Cnc Machine Engineer information
See Santa Rosa, CA salary details
$27.86 - $30.01
1% of jobs
$30.01 - $32.16
1% of jobs
$32.16 - $34.31
5% of jobs
$34.31 - $36.46
14% of jobs
$37 is the 25th percentile. Wages below this are outliers.
$36.46 - $38.61
16% of jobs
The median wage is $40.10 / hr.
$38.61 - $40.76
19% of jobs
$40.76 - $42.91
18% of jobs
$43.21 is the 75th percentile. Wages above this are outliers.
$42.91 - $45.06
9% of jobs
$45.06 - $47.21
8% of jobs
$47.21 - $49.36
5% of jobs
$49.36 - $51.51
3% of jobs
$27
$41
$51
How much do cnc machine engineer jobs pay per hour?
As of Jun 29, 2026, the average hourly pay for cnc machine engineer in Santa Rosa, CA is $41.17, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $37.07 and $43.89 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.
What are CNC Machine Engineers?
CNC Machine Engineers are professionals who design, program, operate, and maintain computer numerical control (CNC) machines used in manufacturing. They develop and optimize processes to produce precision parts and components from materials such as metal, plastic, or wood. Their responsibilities also include troubleshooting equipment, ensuring quality control, and collaborating with other engineers to improve efficiency. CNC Machine Engineers play a vital role in industries like automotive, aerospace, and electronics where high accuracy and repeatability are essential.
What is the difference between Cnc Machine Engineer vs Cnc Programmer?
| Aspect | Cnc Machine Engineer | Cnc Programmer |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Role | Designs, maintains, and troubleshoots CNC machines and systems | Develops and writes CNC code to control machine operations |
| Required Skills | Mechanical knowledge, troubleshooting, machine operation | G-code programming, CAD/CAM software proficiency |
| Work Environment | Manufacturing plants, machine shops | Manufacturing, CNC programming departments |
| Certifications | Technical certifications, CNC operation training | G-code, CAD/CAM software certifications |
While both roles are essential in CNC manufacturing, the Cnc Machine Engineer focuses on machine design, maintenance, and troubleshooting, whereas the Cnc Programmer specializes in creating the code that controls CNC machines. Understanding these differences helps employers and job seekers target the right skills and responsibilities in the industry.
What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a CNC Machine Engineer, and why are they important?
To thrive as a CNC Machine Engineer, you need a solid background in mechanical engineering, CNC programming, and machining processes, often supported by a relevant degree or technical certification. Familiarity with CAD/CAM software, G-code programming, and various CNC control systems is typically required. Strong problem-solving, attention to detail, and effective teamwork are vital soft skills in this role. These competencies ensure precise machining, efficient production, and seamless integration with manufacturing teams.
What are some common challenges CNC Machine Engineers face when optimizing production processes?
CNC Machine Engineers often encounter challenges such as minimizing machine downtime, ensuring precision in high-volume production, and adapting to rapidly changing design specifications. Balancing speed with accuracy while maintaining strict quality standards can be demanding, particularly when troubleshooting unexpected equipment issues or programming errors. Collaboration with production teams and continuous process improvement are key to overcoming these hurdles and ensuring efficient, reliable output.
What are popular job titles related to Cnc Machine Engineer jobs in Santa Rosa, CA? For Cnc Machine Engineer jobs in Santa Rosa, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Cnc Machine Engineer jobs in Santa Rosa, CA look for? The top searched job categories for Cnc Machine Engineer jobs in Santa Rosa, CA are:
What cities near Santa Rosa, CA are hiring for Cnc Machine Engineer jobs? Cities near Santa Rosa, CA with the most Cnc Machine Engineer job openings:
Other
Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO
Posted 24 days ago
Job description
Who We Are:
Aurelius Systems is a VC backed defense tech startup building autonomous, edge deployed directed energy systems for counter-UAS. We build laser weapons to shoot down drones.
We're a small team of engineers, former US military operators, and subject matter experts scaling America's directed energy dominance. The first cost effective, reliable and robust laser weapon system.
Our namesake isn't an accident. Marcus Aurelius wrote about doing the work in front of you, every day, without excuses. Henry Ford didn't wait for permission to reinvent manufacturing. That's how we operate — small team, unreasonable output, no hiding behind the unachievable.
In addition to our San Francisco lab, we’ve opened a Detroit manufacturing hub and we field test weekly on our own 400-acre private range.
The Role and Your Impact:
We need a Hardware Technician who can fabricate, machine, weld, and assemble parts that go from prototype to deployed system. You'll work hands on across the build, supporting engineers as well as field demonstrations as we scale Archimedes from prototype toward production.
What You'll Own:
- Fabrication and machining of mechanical parts using mill, lathe, and CNC equipment
- Supporting field demonstrations for the warfighter
- Welding and metal fabrication, including TIG and MIG, for structural and subsystem assemblies
- 3D printing across processes including FDM, SLA, and SLS, plus post-processing
- Assembly and integration of subsystems including basic electrical wiring and harness work
- Inspection with calipers, micrometers, and gauges, and flagging tolerance drift before it becomes a problem
- Giving engineers real shop floor feedback that improves the next revision
What We're Looking For:
- Hands on fabrication and machining experience, mill and lathe at minimum
- TIG or MIG welding experience on real assemblies, not just coupons
- Comfortable reading mechanical drawings and GD&T
- Comfortable with multiple 3D printing processes and post-processing
- Solid attention to dimensional accuracy and finish quality
Where you probably come from: Aerospace or defense fab shops, military fabrication trades, motorsports build shops, hardware startups doing real metal work.
We want to talk if: You've personally built things that fly, drive, or shoot. You can read a drawing, pick up a tool, and not break the part.
Not a fit if: Your experience is design only, you've never owned a part from raw stock to finished, or you've only run CNC programs someone else wrote.
Nice to Haves:
- Composites layup experience
- Sheet metal forming and brake work
- Wire harness fabrication
- Precision optical or laser system assembly experience
Education:
No degree required. Trade school, military training, or self-taught all welcome. What you've built matters more than where you went to school.
How You Operate:
- Extreme bias for action. You'd rather build the part tomorrow than wait for the perfect drawing
- You catch your own mistakes before they leave your bench
- Comfortable with ambiguity and fast iteration in a startup environment
- Clear communicator across mechanical, electrical, and engineering teams
- Self directed. You identify what needs to happen next and do it without being told
Why Join Aurelius Systems:
- Build more in 1 month than most technicians build in 1 year. We field test weekly. Your work goes downrange, not into a filing cabinet.
- Career velocity is real. At ~10 engineers, there are no layers between you and impact.
- Work on a problem that actually matters. Small cheap drones are changing warfare. Our laser systems are the asymmetric answer — infinite magazine, near zero cost per shot, scalable to every base, border, facility, and truck.
- Join the densest defense startup ecosystem in the country. California is where the next generation of defense companies are being built.
How We Work:
Core hours are Monday through Friday, 9 to 6. When we're sprinting toward a demo or field test, the team ramps up — nights, weekends, whatever it takes to ship. When the sprint lands, we ramp down. We don't manufacture intensity for show.
Benefits:
- Competitive salary and equity
- United Health Care medical, dental, and vision coverage
- Flexible 18 days PTO plus 5 sick days
- Travel to field test events and range days
- Covered daily lunches and office snacks and drinks
- E-bike and scooter stipend up to $500
- Direct access to leadership and real ownership over your work
Export Control Notice:
This role requires access to export-controlled information or items that require U.S. Person status. As defined by U.S. law, individuals who are any one of the following are considered to be a U.S. Person: (1) U.S. citizens, (2) legal permanent residents (a.k.a. green card holders), and (3) certain protected classes of asylees and refugees, as defined in 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).