CNC Machinist Jobs in California
CNC Machinist jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in aerospace and defense manufacturing, semiconductor equipment production, and precision medical device fabrication across the Los Angeles Basin, San Jose metro, and San Diego. Established employers like Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, and Edwards Lifesciences have long maintained machining operations here, drawing cnc machinists at every level from entry-level operators through senior setup machinists and programmers. The most in-demand specialties are five-axis milling, Swiss-type turning, and multi-axis programming for tight-tolerance aerospace and medical components. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find CNC Machinist JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 21+ CNC Machinist jobs
Description
We are comma.ai. We’re a small team building the Android of self-driving cars – our fleet drives hundreds of millions of miles every year all around the world. We build openpilot, an open-source driving agent. And we build the comma four, the hardware that runs openpilot. openpilot and our hardware are designed and made right here in San Diego. We’re looking for someone to join our hardware team to run our new machine shop and lead prototype manufacturing. You’ll lead prototyping manufacturing for all our products, from comma four-style products to our new datacenter products. We're building SendCutSend at home. The shop has a Haas VF2, lathe, 3D printers, and a budget for any other tools we'll need to bring prototyping fully in-house. You'll own parts from CAD to finished prototype: CAM, setup, fixturing, machining, inspection, and iteration with the hardware team. You'll build prototypes for all future comma products, from comma four to the exabox.
Qualifications
- Experience with CAM, CNC setup, and machining
- Excellent attention to detail
- Resourceful enough to take ambiguous designs from sketch to working prototype
- Haas CNC experience is a plus
- Mechanical engineering and CAD skills are a plus
How to apply
Email work@comma.ai with examples of cool projects you've built.
Description
We are comma.ai. We’re a small team building the Android of self-driving cars – our fleet drives hundreds of millions of miles every year all around the world. We build openpilot, an open-source driving agent. And we build the comma four, the hardware that runs openpilot. openpilot and our hardware are designed and made right here in San Diego. We’re looking for someone to join our hardware team to run our new machine shop and lead prototype manufacturing. You’ll lead prototyping manufacturing for all our products, from comma four-style products to our new datacenter products. We're building SendCutSend at home. The shop has a Haas VF2, lathe, 3D printers, and a budget for any other tools we'll need to bring prototyping fully in-house. You'll own parts from CAD to finished prototype: CAM, setup, fixturing, machining, inspection, and iteration with the hardware team. You'll build prototypes for all future comma products, from comma four to the exabox.
Qualifications
- Experience with CAM, CNC setup, and machining
- Excellent attention to detail
- Resourceful enough to take ambiguous designs from sketch to working prototype
- Haas CNC experience is a plus
- Mechanical engineering and CAD skills are a plus
How to apply
Email work@comma.ai with examples of cool projects you've built.
See All 21 CNC Machinist Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find CNC Machinist JobsCNC Machinist Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
CNC Machinist Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Joby Aviation4
- Jobot3
- Applied Medical2
- Regal Rexnord Corporation2
- Robinson Helicopter Company2
Top Industries Hiring
- Aerospace & Defense6
- Automotive3
- Manufacturing3
- Medical Devices3
- Staffing & Recruiting3
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in CNC machinist jobs across California.
- Proven experience with CNC mills, lathes, or multi-axis machining centers in a production environment
- Ability to read and interpret engineering blueprints, GD&T, and technical drawings accurately
- Proficiency with precision measuring tools including micrometers, calipers, and CMMs
- Familiarity with CNC programming languages such as Fanuc, Mazak, or Mastercam CAM software
- Understanding of aerospace or medical device quality standards such as AS9100 or ISO 13485
- Completion of a machining apprenticeship, vocational program, or associate degree in manufacturing technology
CNC Machinist Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a cnc machinist in California?
The most direct path in California is completing a machining or manufacturing technology program at a community college such as Los Angeles Trade-Technical College, De Anza College, or San Diego Miramar College, which offer certificates and associate degrees aligned with California employer expectations. California does not require a state-issued machinist license, but employers in aerospace and medical device manufacturing typically expect coursework, an apprenticeship through a union such as the International Association of Machinists, or documented hands-on shop experience before hiring.
How much do CNC machinists make in California?
CNC machinists in California earn a median of about $57,190 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $37,440 for the lowest 10% to over $88,280 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire cnc machinists in California?
Employers hiring cnc machinists in California right now include Joby Aviation, Jobot, and Applied Medical, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's concentration of aerospace primes, defense contractors, and medical device manufacturers means steady demand from both large Tier 1 manufacturers and their precision machining subcontractors throughout the Los Angeles Basin, San Diego, and Silicon Valley.
Which California cities have the most cnc machinist jobs?
Garden Grove, Marina, and Rancho Santa Margarita consistently post the most cnc machinist openings in California. Los Angeles and its surrounding communities anchor demand through a dense cluster of aerospace, defense, and entertainment equipment manufacturers, while San Diego's strong defense and biomedical sectors drive hiring there, and San Jose reflects Silicon Valley's semiconductor equipment and advanced instrumentation industries that rely heavily on precision machining talent.
Are there remote cnc machinist jobs in California?
Yes, but they're rare. CNC machining is inherently hands-on work tied to physical equipment on the shop floor, so the vast majority of openings require on-site presence. About 0% of cnc machinist openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, and those roles typically involve off-site CNC programming, CAM software work, or process engineering responsibilities rather than direct machine operation.
How can I get hired as a cnc machinist in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry point is a machining certificate or associate degree from a California community college, which many aerospace and defense employers in the Los Angeles Basin and San Diego actively recruit from through apprenticeship pipeline partnerships. Large manufacturers and their subcontractors frequently hire candidates into machine operator or deburring roles as a stepping stone, and completion of a registered apprenticeship through the California Department of Industrial Relations or a union program significantly strengthens a candidate's application even without prior shop employment.
Where can I find and apply to cnc machinist jobs in California?
You can find and apply to cnc machinist jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from California employers across aerospace, defense, medical device, and precision manufacturing. Find the roles that fit your experience and location, then apply directly to each one.
See All 21 CNC Machinist Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find CNC Machinist Jobs