Machinist / Prototype Fabrication Engineer

Becoming • San Francisco, CA

2d

About The Position

Becoming is building a technology platform at the intersection of developmental biology, engineering, and AI, and needs highly customized hardware to support its work. The Machinist / Prototype Fabrication Engineer will work directly with engineers and scientists to turn designs into physical hardware in an R&D and prototyping environment rather than conventional production manufacturing. The role involves rapid iteration, unusual engineering challenges, and close collaboration with the people designing and testing the fabricated components.

The successful candidate will help build an internal rapid-prototyping capability and enable hardware to move quickly from CAD to experiment. They will fabricate, inspect, assemble, troubleshoot, repair, and modify experimental hardware, while advising engineers on practical fabrication approaches.

Requirements

• Substantial hands-on machining experience.
• High capability with CNC milling and/or turning.
• Comfort using manual mills and lathes.
• Ability to independently take a component from drawing or CAD through fabrication.
• Understanding of GD&T, tolerancing, fits, surface finishes, and inspection.
• Strong intuition for manufacturability.
• Comfort working across metals and engineering polymers.
• Enjoyment of working directly with engineers in a fast-moving R&D environment.
• Exceptional pride in the quality of physical things built.

Nice To Haves

• CAM programming.
• Multi-axis machining.
• Precision fabrication.
• Scientific instrumentation.
• Medical-device hardware.
• Prototype development.
• Metrology and inspection.
• Welding or other fabrication techniques.
• Experience working in an internal R&D machine shop.

Responsibilities

• Machine precision components for experimental hardware.
• Operate CNC mills, lathes, and manual machining equipment.
• Build custom fixtures, jigs, adapters, enclosures, and experimental components.
• Work from CAD, engineering drawings, sketches, and early-stage concepts.
• Advise engineers on manufacturability, tolerances, materials, and fabrication approaches.
• Rapidly modify components in response to experimental results.
• Develop machining strategies for unusual geometries and low-volume parts.
• Inspect components and verify critical dimensions.
• Support assembly, troubleshooting, repair, and modification of experimental hardware.
• Help build an internal rapid-prototyping capability.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and meaningful equity depending on experience level.
• Full benefits.
• High-trust, high-ownership environment.
• Rapid growth in scope and responsibility.

What This Job Offers

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