Prototype Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Atomic Machines is looking for a Machinist to Prototype Machinist to join our machine shop in Emeryville, CA. In this role, you will take ownership of precision machined parts from start to finish, including material and tooling selection, CAM programming, fixture and workholding design, CNC setup and operation, in process inspection, and final part verification.

This is a hands-on role in a fast paced prototype and R&D environment. You will work directly with engineers to turn complex designs into high quality hardware, provide manufacturability feedback, and help shorten the path from concept to functional part. The right person is comfortable moving quickly, solving ambiguous machining problems, holding tight tolerances, and adjusting priorities as designs evolve. This role supports a 24/7 machine shop operation on a 5-2 schedule, with shift assignments based on business and production needs. 

At the senior levels, you will also help raise the standard of the shop by improving setup practices, documenting proven processes, enforcing safe and organized shop behavior, training other users, and helping the team build repeatable systems for prototype and low volume production work.

• Read and interpret detailed engineering drawings, CAD models, GD&T callouts, work instructions, and inspection requirements.
• Own machined parts from start to finish, including planning, programming, setup, machining, inspection, documentation, and delivery.
• Program, set up, prove out, troubleshoot, and operate CNC mills and lathes, including 3 axis and 5 axis milling equipment across multiple machines during the shift.
• Develop efficient CAM programs using Fusion 360 or similar platforms such as Mastercam, HyperMill, or FeatureCAM.
• Design setups, fixtures, soft jaws, vacuum fixtures, and other creative workholding solutions for one off, prototype, and low volume parts.
• Select tools, create tool lists, order tooling and materials, and prepare jobs for efficient execution.
• Machine precision parts across a range of materials, including aluminum, titanium, stainless steel, ceramics, and engineering polymers.
• Inspect parts using CMM data, calipers, micrometers, height gauges, indicators, and other metrology tools, then adjust machining processes to produce conforming hardware.
• Collaborate closely with engineering to identify manufacturability risks, improve designs, reduce machining time, and increase part quality.
• Manage multiple jobs based on priority, due dates, material availability, machine capacity, and changing engineering needs.
• Delegate appropriate setup, machining, inspection, and shop support tasks to shop technicians based on priority, skill level, and production needs.
• Document setups, inspection results, lessons learned, and process changes so future builds become faster and more repeatable.
• Maintain a clean, safe, organized machine shop and follow all shop policies, safety procedures, and company requirements.
• Train new employees, engineers, and other internal shop users on equipment, setup practices, and safe shop behavior.
• For senior level candidates, mentor other machinists, lead more complex jobs, and help define best practices for prototype machining.

• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent practical experience.
• 3+ years of hands-on CNC machining experience in aerospace, medical device, semiconductor, robotics, automotive, or another high precision industry.
• Strong experience programming, setting up, proving out, and operating CNC mills and lathes, including 3 axis and 5 axis machining.
• Experience with toolpath strategy, tool selection, work offsets, probing, setup verification, and process troubleshooting.
• Demonstrated proficiency with at least one modern CAM platform. Fusion 360 experience is strongly preferred.
• Strong understanding of machining fundamentals, including feeds and speeds, tool wear, surface finish, workholding, rigidity, and tolerance stackup.
• Ability to read complex prints, interpret GD&T, and hold tight tolerances, including features below 0.001 inch or 25 microns when required.
• Strong inspection and metrology skills, with the ability to verify hardware against engineering specifications.
• Ability to design practical fixtures, soft jaws, and custom tooling for prototype parts with limited direction.
• Experience working in a fast paced prototype, R&D, or low volume production environment where priorities and requirements can change quickly.
• Ability to manage multiple projects at once, reprioritize quickly, and maintain attention to detail under schedule pressure.
• Clear and proactive communication style, especially when flagging manufacturability risks, schedule risks, quality concerns, or unclear drawing requirements.
• Proficiency with manual shop equipment such as mills, lathes, drill presses, saws, lapping machines, and basic hand tools.
• Physical ability to stand for long periods, lift up to 50 lbs, wear required PPE, and follow all company safety requirements.
• Ability to support a 24/7 operation on a 5-2 schedule, including assigned shifts based on business and production needs.
• Ability to work onsite in Emeryville, CA.

• Hands-on experience with HAAS and MAZAK CNC machines.
• Experience programming or operating CMMs.
• Strong Fusion 360 CAM experience.
• Experience with TIG welding or other joining processes.
• Experience machining difficult materials, ceramics, thin wall parts, tight tolerance parts, or complex 5 axis geometry.
• Experience documenting builds, inspection data, nonconformances, and process notes in an MES, PLM, ERP, or similar system.