Fabrication Shop Manager
About The Position
Sesame AI is building deeply integrated hardware + AI products and is opening a fabrication shop and prototype line in Bellevue, WA. We're looking for a Fabrication Shop Manager to build it, staff it, and run it. You'll develop and prove out the manufacturing processes our products depend on and build them into a repeatable proto line. You'll work closely with mechanical, electrical, manufacturing, and industrial design engineering to turn concepts into production-representative builds that inform product and DFM decisions. The ideal candidate has run a machine shop or pilot line, is fluent in CNC and joining processes for plastics and metals, and cares as much about how a part gets made as how it looks when it's done.
Requirements
- 12+ years in prototype machine shop, pilot line, or manufacturing engineering roles, with at least 3 years managing a shop or team.
- Hands-on mastery of CNC machining (setup, fixturing, CAM basics) and at least one joining or forming process such as ultrasonic welding, thermoforming, or laser processing.
- Experience standing up or expanding a shop or line: equipment selection, layout, procurement, and commissioning.
- Strong command of mechanical drawings, GD&T, metrology, and common engineering materials (plastics, metals, composites).
- Proven ability to hire and lead technicians and operators and to manage vendors to schedule and budget.
- Clear written and verbal communication; comfortable presenting designs & data to cross-functional teams.
- Safety-first mindset with experience owning shop safety programs.
- On-site role in Bellevue, WA; daily hands-on presence in the shop.
Nice To Haves
- Experience with eyewear, wearables, or other small consumer devices with tight cosmetic and dimensional requirements.
- Experience with Mastercam, Hypermill, or equivalent CAM; Fusion 360 or SolidWorks for fixture design.
- Familiarity with CT scanning and optical metrology (Lumafield, OGP, or similar).
- Experience with injection-molded plastics, or cast and machined metal cosmetic parts.
- Experience at a fast-paced startup or early-stage hardware company.
Responsibilities
- Work with the team to design a functional & flexible space to meet current & future proto needs
- Drive detailed layout equipment selection and procurement, utilities, safety, and IT
- Manage build & equipment install and commissioning
- Develop, characterize, and document processes for CNC machining (multi-axis, metal and plastic)
- Develop jigs, fixtures, and work instructions that make each process repeatable
- Use metrology and CT scanning to qualify parts and processes against drawings and GD&T.
- Run the shop: scheduling, job tracking, equipment uptime and maintenance, consumables, inventory, and budget.
- Hire, manage, and grow CNC engineers and operators, technicians, and shop support staff.
- Set priorities across concurrent programs and keep turnaround times predictable for engineering.
- Own shop safety: training, PPE, machine guarding, lockout/tagout, and hazardous materials handling.
- Source, qualify, and manage external CNC, molding, PCBA, and specialty fabrication vendors; apply a clear in-house vs. vendor framework based on critical path, IP sensitivity, and volume.
- Review designs early for manufacturability and flag process risk before it reaches a build.
- Evaluate builds for fit, finish, and dimensional quality and document results with photos, measurements, and structured feedback.
- Coordinate with engineering leads to align proto line schedules with program milestones.
Benefits
- 401 (k) max employer match: 3.5% of compensation
- 100% employer-paid health, vision, and dental benefits for you and your dependents
- Unlimited PTO and sick time
- Flexible spending account with employer matching up to $1,650/year (medical FSA)
- Guardian Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Opportunity to share in the company's success with competitive stock options
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Manager
Education Level
No Education Listed
