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Surface Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Making Adyen agent-ready - helping ensure our docs, snippets, and developer surfaces are legible and reliable for AI agents and AI-assisted developer workflows. As agents increasingly integrate on ...

Making Adyen agent-ready - helping ensure our docs, snippets, and developer surfaces are legible and reliable for AI agents and AI-assisted developer workflows. As agents increasingly integrate on ...

Staff Studio Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$140 - $170/hr

Role Summary The Staff Studio Engineer partners with Design, Surfacing, Engineering, Manufacturing, suppliers, and other cross‑functional teams to turn ambitious vehicle themes and Adventure ...

Guide Design, Surfacing, and Product Development teams toward feasible solutions while communicating engineering inputs, program changes, and technical risks. * Support benchmarking, clay and ...

Guide Design, Surfacing, and Product Development teams toward feasible solutions while communicating engineering inputs, program changes, and technical risks. * Support benchmarking, clay and ...

Guide Design, Surfacing, and Product Development teams toward feasible solutions while communicating engineering inputs, program changes, and technical risks. * Support benchmarking, clay and ...

You will work across user-facing product surfaces, developer workflows, backend services, security analysis pipelines, cloud infrastructure, and internal tooling. You may build features that make ...

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Showing results 1-20

Surface Engineer information

What is a surface engineer?

Surface engineers are professionals who specialize in modifying and optimizing the surfaces of materials to enhance their performance, durability, and functionality. They work with coatings, treatments, and advanced materials to protect surfaces from corrosion, wear, or environmental damage. Surface engineers play a key role in industries such as aerospace, automotive, electronics, and energy by improving the lifespan and efficiency of components. Their work often involves research, testing, and the application of new technologies to solve complex surface-related challenges.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a surface engineer?

To thrive as a Surface Engineer, you need a strong background in materials science, surface chemistry, and engineering principles, typically supported by a degree in engineering or a related field. Familiarity with analytical tools such as scanning electron microscopes (SEM), atomic force microscopes (AFM), and surface characterization software is important, along with certifications in materials analysis or relevant quality standards. Attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication are valuable soft skills for collaborating with multidisciplinary teams and addressing technical challenges. These competencies are crucial for developing advanced surface solutions, ensuring product quality, and driving innovation in various industries.

What are some typical challenges surface engineers face when working on materials for high-performance applications?

Surface Engineers often encounter challenges related to optimizing surface properties such as hardness, corrosion resistance, and wear without compromising the material's overall integrity. Balancing cost-effective solutions with advanced surface treatments can also be demanding, especially when working under tight project deadlines. Collaboration with multidisciplinary teams—including materials scientists, mechanical engineers, and manufacturing specialists—is essential to ensure that surface modifications align with broader product requirements and quality standards.

What is the difference between Surface Engineer vs Coatings Engineer?

AspectSurface EngineerCoatings Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's in Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, or related fields; certifications like NACE or SSPCBachelor's in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science; similar certifications in coatings and corrosion
Work EnvironmentIndustrial facilities, manufacturing plants, research labsCoating application sites, manufacturing, quality control labs
Industry UsageOil & gas, aerospace, automotive, manufacturingProtective coatings, paints, corrosion prevention in similar industries

Surface Engineers focus on the overall surface treatment and material properties, while Coatings Engineers specialize in applying and developing protective coatings. Both roles often overlap in industries like aerospace and manufacturing, sharing similar credentials and work environments.

Infographic showing various Surface Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution.

5-Axis CNC Machinist / Programmer - Day Shift (Hermle / DMG / Fusion 360)

Surface Engineering

Sunnyvale, CA

$50/hr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Posted 14 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Program, set up, and machine complex 5-axis components.

  • Create machining strategies for high-precision parts with demanding geometries.

  • Perform first-article and in-process inspection, troubleshoot machining issues, and work closely with engineering and quality teams.


Job description

At a Glance

Company: Surface Engineering
Location: Sunnyvale, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Pay Range: $50+ per hour (based on experience)
Shift: 1st Shift | Monday–Friday | 7:00am–4:00pm (some flexibility available)
Overtime: Available
Experience Level: Senior Level | 5+ years of experience
Work Authorization: Must be authorized to work in the U.S.
Apply Link: Apply directly through hireCNC

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Why This Role Exists

Surface Engineering is expanding its internal machining capabilities and continuing to invest heavily in advanced equipment and complex manufacturing work. Historically known for ultra-high precision finishing and motion system components used in semiconductor equipment, the company has increased its in-house machining capacity to support growth and greater manufacturing control.

As part of that expansion, Surface Engineering is looking for an experienced 5-axis CNC Machinist / Programmer who can take ownership of highly complex work involving challenging geometries, precision fixturing, and multi-axis machining strategies.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys difficult parts, solving machining problems, and programming setups that require creativity—not repetitive production work.

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The Work You’ll Be Doing

In this role, you will:

  • Program, set up, and machine complex 5-axis components
  • Create machining strategies for high-precision parts with demanding geometries
  • Establish workholding and fixturing approaches that minimize part deformation
  • Program and optimize toolpaths using CAM software
  • Set tooling, offsets, and machine parameters
  • Perform first-article and in-process inspection
  • Work closely with engineering and quality teams
  • Troubleshoot machining issues and continuously improve processes

Many parts involve highly complex geometries with hundreds of features and extremely demanding tolerances. Surface Engineering builds precision motion system components used in semiconductor manufacturing environments.

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Machines, Controls & Software

You'll work with equipment such as:

Machines:

  • Hermle C600U
  • DMG DMU 100 Micro Precision
  • Additional advanced 5-axis platforms as equipment expands

Controls:

  • Heidenhain TNC
  • TNC 7 environment expanding in the future

CAM Software:

  • Fusion 360
  • Open to machinists from other CAM backgrounds willing to learn Fusion

Inspection Equipment:

  • Advanced metrology equipment
  • Strong quality support systems
  • Precision inspection resources

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Materials You'll Work With

  • Aluminum (~75%)
  • Titanium
  • Stainless steel
  • Precision tooling materials including diamond tooling applications

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What We're Looking ForRequired:

  • 5+ years of CNC machining experience
  • Strong experience setting up and programming complex 5-axis work
  • Strong understanding of GD&T
  • Ability to fixture parts while minimizing distortion and deformation
  • Strong blueprint interpretation skills
  • Experience with advanced setup work and process ownership
  • Comfortable troubleshooting machining issues independently
  • Strong communication and team mindset

Preferred (Not Required):

  • Hermle experience
  • DMG experience
  • Heidenhain control experience
  • TNC 7 familiarity
  • Fusion 360 experience
  • Semiconductor, aerospace, medical, or precision manufacturing background

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Why Machinists Like Working Here

Machinists choose Surface Engineering because:

  • Average employee tenure is approximately 7 years with some employees there over 30 years
  • Temperature-controlled facility
  • Stable repeat production environment—not a traditional high-mix job shop
  • Opportunity to work on extremely technical and challenging parts
  • Advanced equipment rarely found elsewhere
  • Strong quality department and support team
  • Weekly pay
  • Profit sharing and performance bonuses

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Pay, Benefits & Schedule

Pay Range: $50+/hr DOE

Bonus Structure:

  • Up to 10% annual bonus potential
  • Two bonus opportunities annually of up to 5% each

Benefits:

  • Medical insurance (85% employee premium covered)
  • Dependent coverage assistance
  • 401(k) with up to 3% company match
  • Profit sharing
  • Weekly pay
  • PTO
  • 10 vacation days
  • 5 sick days
  • 10 paid holidays
  • PTO growth tied to experience and tenure

Schedule:

Monday–Friday
7:00am–4:00pm
Flexible start times available
Overtime available

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Apply

Interested machinists can apply directly through hireCNC.

Apply Now or Save This Job to come back later.