Machinist/Fabrication Lead

About the role

We’re building Portals — custom-retrofitted communication pods designed for real-world deployment and shipping at production volume. We’re looking for a CNC Machinist / Fabrication Lead to own our fabrication cell end-to-end.

Responsibilities

• Program, set up, and operate CNC mills (Haas experience preferred) and laser cutting equipment
• Operate wire-laser directed energy deposition (DED) equipment for additive manufacturing of metal components including custom heat sinks and prototype parts
• Own fabrication workflows from raw stock to finished enclosure components
• Design and build fixtures to improve repeatability and throughput
• Optimize toolpaths, feeds, speeds, and setups for production efficiency
• Maintain machines, tooling, and fabrication equipment in working order
• Troubleshoot machining issues and resolve production bottlenecks
• Perform in-process inspection and ensure parts meet dimensional and cosmetic requirements
• Collaborate with engineering and assembly teams to improve manufacturability
• Maintain organized workspaces and uphold shop safety standards
• Support daily production targets (~2 units/day)

Requirements

• Proven experience programming and operating CNC mills (Haas strongly preferred)
• Experience operating laser cutters or similar fabrication equipment
• Develop and refine additive-to-subtractive workflows — printing near-net-shape parts and finish machining to final tolerances
• Strong understanding of machining fundamentals, tolerances, and material behavior
• Experience in a production or fabrication environment (not only prototyping)
• Mechanical intuition and strong troubleshooting skills
• High attention to detail and quality-first mindset
• Experience performing routine machine maintenance and diagnostics
• Familiarity with Fusion 360, Mastercam, or similar CAM software
• Experience supporting low-volume production scaling
• Welding or general fabrication experience
• Experience working in a startup or fast-moving build environment

Physical Requirements & Work Environment

• The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Example: Ability to perform repetitive tasks involving hands, wrists, and arms for extended periods.
• Ability to stand and/or walk for extended periods during a work shift (up to 8 hours).
• Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and equipment weighing up to 25 lbs.
• Ability to bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, and reach as required to perform assembly and inspection tasks.
• Ability to use hand tools, power tools, and test equipment safely.
• Visual and auditory ability sufficient to inspect components, read instrumentation, and respond to alarms or verbal instructions.
• Work may involve exposure to noise, moving mechanical parts, electronics, and varying temperatures typical of a manufacturing or lab environment.

About What You Get...

• Competitive salary plus meaningful equity upside; salary range is $100,000-$120,000
• Competitive (and ever expanding) benefits for employees and dependents
• Opportunities to learn and grow – all things startups
• A chance to play a role in defining the roadmap as we pursue a bold vision and and a big goal
• To get away - we all convene 1-2x a year for [optional, encouraged] retreats
• We’re actively shaping our benefits program: have a say in which benefits matter to you