Prototype Machinist / Machine Shop Lead

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 this role is worth considering

comma.ai is a small team building openpilot, an open-source driving agent, and the comma four hardware that runs it — both designed and built right here in San Diego. The company is bringing prototype manufacturing fully in-house, and this role runs that effort.

This is a lead position, not a production machining seat: you'll own prototype parts from CAD to finished component for every future comma.ai product, from comma four-style hardware to new datacenter systems, working directly with the hardware team as designs evolve. The shop already has a Haas VF-2, a CNC lathe and 3D printers, with budget to add whatever else the work needs.

⚙️ What you'll be doing

• Run and help build out comma.ai's in-house prototype machine shop
• Lead prototype manufacturing for current and future comma.ai products, from comma four-style hardware to new datacenter systems
• Take parts from CAD models or ambiguous early designs through to finished prototypes
• Program, set up and operate CNC milling and turning equipment
• Handle fixturing, workholding and tooling for one-off and short-run prototype work
• Inspect finished parts and iterate with the hardware team as designs change
• Recommend additional machines, tooling and equipment as the shop grows

️ Machines, controls & software

CNC mill: Haas VF-2
Turning: CNC lathe
Additional equipment: 3D printers
Controls: Haas experience is a plus
Software: CAM experience required; specific platforms not listed

✅ What we're looking for

Required

• Experience with CAM, CNC setup and machining
• Excellent attention to detail
• Ability to take an ambiguous design from sketch to a working prototype
• Examples of projects you've personally built, submitted with your application

Preferred

• Haas CNC experience
• Mechanical engineering and CAD skills

Pay, benefits & schedule

Pay: $80,000–$120,000 per year

Full-time, on-site in San Diego, CA.

comma.ai's standard benefits 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

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, and the comma four, the hardware that runs it. Its fleet drives hundreds of millions of miles a year across real-world roads.

Unlike companies that focus only on software, comma.ai designs and manufactures its own hardware in San Diego, and is now bringing prototype manufacturing for that hardware fully in-house — this role leads that shop.

Apply today

Want to run a new prototype machine shop and help build the hardware behind self-driving cars? Email View email address on hirecnc.com with examples of cool projects you've built.