Fabrication Shop Manager

About Sesame

Sesame believes in a future where computers are lifelike - with the ability to see, hear, and collaborate with us in ways that feel natural and human. With this vision, we're designing a new kind of computer, focused on making voice agents part of our daily lives. Our team brings together founders from Oculus and Ubiquity6, alongside proven leaders from Meta, Google, and Apple, with deep expertise spanning hardware and software. Join us in shaping a future where computers truly come alive.

About the Role

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.

Responsibilities

Shop Design & Build

• 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

Manufacturing Process Development

• 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.

Shop Operations & Team Leadership

• 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.

Engineering Partnership & Quality Judgment

• 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.

Required Qualifications

• 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.

Preferred Qualifications

• 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.

Sesame is committed to a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered. We welcome all qualified applicants, embracing diversity in race, gender, identity, orientation, ability, and more. We provide reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. Contact [email protected] for assistance.

Full-time Employee 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

Benefits do not apply to contingent/contract workers.