Fabrication Technician

Sesame • San Francisco, CA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Sesame AI is building a complex and compact wearable hardware + AI product requiring custom mechanical parts, enclosures, fixtures, and test rigs. We are looking for a highly organized, hands-on Fabrication Technician to support the hardware team with fabrication, precision assembly, equipment operations, and build logistics.
In this role you will commission, operate, and maintain benchtop fabrication equipment; produce prototype parts to tight tolerances; and keep the lab organized and ready for daily engineering use. You will work under the direction of the Prototyping Lead and alongside mechanical, electrical, and manufacturing engineers to turn CAD models and drawings into physical hardware - quickly, accurately, and repeatably.

Requirements

• 5+ years of hands-on experience in mechanical fabrication, prototyping, or a related role in consumer electronics, robotics, or hardware development.
• Demonstrated skill in commissioning and maintaining benchtop fabrication equipment (3D printers, CNC, laser cutters).
• Strong hand-tool proficiency and precision assembly skills, comfortable working with small parts, tight tolerances, and delicate components.
• Ability to read and work from mechanical drawings, GD&T callouts, and 3D models.
• Strong understanding of common engineering materials: plastics (ABS, PC, nylon), metals (aluminum, steel, brass), adhesives, and fasteners.
• Highly organized with exceptional attention to detail and a commitment to a clean, well-maintained lab.
• Dependable, safety-conscious, and able to prioritize and manage multiple concurrent tasks.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• On-site role; this position requires daily hands-on presence in the lab.

Nice To Haves

• Previous experience at a startup or early-stage hardware company.
• Familiarity with MCAD tools (SolidWorks, Fusion 360) for viewing and measuring models.
• Experience with soft goods, textiles, or composite materials.
• Comfort with basic electrical assembly: connectors, cable harnesses, simple soldering.
• Exposure to metrology tools: calipers, micrometers, height gauges, optical comparators.

Responsibilities

• Equipment Commissioning & Maintenance
• Commission, set up, and bring online new fabrication equipment including 3D printers (FDM, SLA/DLP, SLS), desktop CNC mills, laser cutters, and other bench top tools.
• Own routine maintenance, calibration, and consumables management for all prototyping equipment; proactively prevent downtime.
• Troubleshoot equipment issues, coordinate service calls, and maintain maintenance logs.
• Evaluate and recommend new tools, materials, and processes to expand lab capability.
• Fabrication & Precision Assembly
• Fabricate mechanical parts using additive, subtractive, and manual methods to meet drawing specifications and tolerances.
• Perform post-processing: support removal, sanding, bonding, tapping, heat-setting inserts, painting, and surface finishing.
• Execute precision hand assembly of compact electro-mechanical prototypes—including sub-cm enclosures, press fits, threaded fasteners, and delicate component integration.
• Build and maintain jigs, fixtures, and test rigs used in prototype assembly and validation.
• Read and interpret mechanical drawings, GD&T callouts, and 3D CAD models to execute fabrication tasks with minimal supervision.
• Lab Operations & Organization
• Maintain a highly organized, clean, and safe lab environment; enforce 5S principles across workstations and storage.
• Manage lab inventory including materials, consumables, fasteners, adhesives, and tooling; reorder supplies before stockouts.
• Follow and improve build procedures; document builds with photos, measurements, and structured notes.
• Coordinate with vendors for outsourced parts: obtain quotes, track orders, inspect incoming parts for conformance.
• Support engineering testing by preparing samples, running measurements, and logging data.

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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed