Prototype Mechanical Technician
About Etched
Etched is building AI chips that are hard-coded for individual model architectures. Our first product (Sohu) only supports transformers, but has an order of magnitude more throughput and lower latency than a B200. With Etched ASICs, you can build products that would be impossible with GPUs, like real-time video generation models and extremely deep & parallel chain-of-thought reasoning agents.
Job Summary
As a Prototype Mechanical Technician, you’ll work at the intersection of hardware, mechanics, and infrastructure. Your primary responsibility will be to build, assemble, validate, and iterate on custom server rack hardware and components. You’ll also support a wide range of general mechanical work, including lab equipment maintenance, small-scale fabrication, and inspection. This role is crucial in translating early engineering concepts into reliable, scalable physical systems.
Key responsibilities
Assemble and install full server rack systems, including compute nodes, networking gear, PDUs, and cooling components
Build, test, and modify mechanical assemblies such as chassis, brackets, airflow guides, and structural frames
Execute validation and testing plans (e.g., torque specs, airflow tests, vibration checks)
Support rapid prototyping using in-house tools or external shops, ensuring tolerances and alignments meet requirements
Conduct part inspections, maintain lab tools, and organize mechanical inventory
Create and refine build logs, SOPs, and scalable processes as hardware matures
Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, and thermal engineers to support system bring-up and validation
You may be a good fit if you have
3+ years hands-on experience as a mechanical technician, assembler, or R&D lab tech
Strong mechanical aptitude with assembly, tooling, measurement, and fixture experience
Comfortable working on server racks, electronics enclosures, and subassemblies
Proficiency in reading mechanical drawings, BOMs, and layout diagrams
Skilled with core tools: torque wrenches, calipers, drills, hand tools, etc.
Highly detail-oriented, safety-minded, and organized in lab/shop environments
Self-starter with a proactive mindset in fast-paced, ambiguous environments
Strong candidates may also have experience with
Familiarity with rack-scale hardware or data center deployment
Experience with 3D printing, CNCs, or laser cutters for prototyping
Understanding of thermal and airflow management principles in electronics hardware
Exposure to electrical integration and low-voltage component installation
Prior work supporting R&D or early-stage hardware engineering teams
Base Compensation Range
$80,000 - $95,000
Benefits
Full medical, dental, and vision packages, with generous premium coverage
Housing subsidy of $2,000/month for those living within walking distance of the office
Daily lunch and dinner in our office
Relocation support for those moving to San Jose (Santana Row)
How we’re different
Etched believes in the Bitter Lesson. We think most of the progress in the AI field has come from using more FLOPs to train and run models, and the best way to get more FLOPs is to build model-specific hardware. Larger and larger training runs encourage companies to consolidate around fewer model architectures, which creates a market for single-model ASICs.
We are a fully in-person team in San Jose (Santana Row), and greatly value engineering skills. We do not have boundaries between engineering and research, and we expect all of our technical staff to contribute to both as needed.
