Fabrication Technician

Bulwark Dynamics; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 96,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Medical insurance

Dental & Vision coverage

Job summary

Bulwark Dynamics is building autonomous vessels in the Bay Area and seeks a Fabrication Technician who thrives with hands-on hardware. You will assemble, modify, test, and iterate components, working closely with engineers to drive rapid prototyping and field testing.

The ideal candidate has hands-on experience with vehicles or complex mechanical systems, strong shop skills, reliability, and the ability to adapt in a fast-moving hardware startup.

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience building, modifying, repairing, or maintaining complex physical systems.
• Ability to read drawings, sketches, prints, and technical documentation.
• Comfortable using hand tools, power tools, fabrication tools, and shop equipment.
• Able to lift 40–60 pounds regularly.
• Reliable, self-motivated, and able to work independently in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Assemble, integrate, and modify mechanical and structural systems on autonomous vessels.
• Support active prototype builds, subsystem installation, and vessel outfitting.
• Fabricate, modify, and repair components using hand tools, power tools, and fabrication equipment.
• Perform fiberglass repair, composite work, and structural modifications as needed.
• Read and work from sketches, drawings, CAD exports, and build plans.
• Support water testing, sea trials, and field operations.
• Troubleshoot issues and implement rapid fixes and improvements.
• Maintain build documentation and communicate progress to engineers.
• Prepare vessels for testing, transportation, and deployment.
• Maintain a safe, organized workshop environment.

Skills

Hands-on builder

Read drawings

Shop tools

Lifting 40–60 lb

Detail-oriented

Independent worker

Job description

Bulwark Dynamics is rebuilding America's maritime superiority by solving modern warfare's most critical vulnerability in the Pacific: contested logistics. We build autonomous landing craft at an unprecedented pace. Our first 15-foot prototype went from sketch to successful ocean testing in just 43 days. Our work sits at the intersection of robotics, autonomy, advanced manufacturing, and maritime operations. We move fast, build in the real world, and hire people who are deeply hands-on.

The Role

We're hiring a Fabrication Technician to help build, assemble, modify, test, and improve our autonomous vessels. This role is ideal for someone who loves building real hardware and has hands-on experience working on vehicles, boats, drones, robots, racing platforms, EVs, custom fabrication projects, or other complex mechanical systems.

You’ll work closely with engineers to fabricate components, install subsystems, support water testing, troubleshoot issues, and rapidly iterate on prototype designs. The ideal candidate is a hands‑on builder with strong shop skills, excellent reliability, and the ability to thrive in a fast‑paced hardware startup environment.

What You'll Do

• Assemble, integrate, and modify mechanical and structural systems on autonomous vessels.
• Support active prototype builds, subsystem installation, and vessel outfitting.
• Fabricate, modify, and repair components using hand tools, power tools, and common fabrication equipment.
• Perform fiberglass repair, composite work, and structural modifications as needed.
• Read and work from sketches, engineering drawings, CAD exports, build plans, and technical instructions.
• Support water testing, sea trials, and field operations.
• Troubleshoot mechanical and structural issues identified during assembly and testing, then implement rapid fixes and improvements.
• Maintain accurate build documentation and communicate progress to engineering teams.
• Support vessel preparation for testing, transportation, and deployment activities.
• Maintain a safe, organized, and efficient workshop environment.

Required Qualifications

• Demonstrated hands‑on experience building, modifying, repairing, or maintaining complex physical systems.
• Experience working on vehicles, boats, drones, robotics platforms, industrial equipment, race vehicles, aircraft, or similar hardware.
• Comfortable using hand tools, power tools, fabrication tools, and common shop equipment.
• Ability to read and interpret drawings, sketches, prints, and technical documentation.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality workmanship.
• Reliable, self‑motivated, and able to work independently in a fast‑paced environment.
• Strong documentation and communication skills.
• Able to lift 40–60 pounds regularly.
• Comfortable working outdoors and supporting field testing activities.
• Willingness to travel occasionally to support sea trials and operational testing.

Preferred Qualifications

• Marine or shipbuilding experience.
• Experience supporting prototype hardware development programs.
• Startup, R&D laboratory, rapid prototyping, or hardware development experience.
• MIG/TIG welding experience.
• Manual machining experience with mills, lathes, drill presses, or grinders.
• Electrical wiring, soldering, cable routing, or crimping experience.
• Background in aerospace, motorsports, EVs, robotics, UAVs, defense hardware, industrial fabrication, or custom vehicle builds.

Ideal Candidate

• You've personally built, raced, restored, repaired, modified, or maintained vehicles, boats, drones, robots, or other complex hardware systems.
• You enjoy working with your hands and solving practical engineering problems.
• You have a strong builder mentality and take pride in creating real‑world hardware.
• You're comfortable jumping between fabrication, assembly, testing, troubleshooting, and repair work.
• You're known for reliability, ownership, and getting things done.
• You thrive in fast‑moving environments where speed, adaptability, and resourcefulness matter.
• You enjoy the cycle of build, test, fix, improve, and repeat.

Why Join Bulwark?

• Work directly alongside engineers and company leadership.
• See your work operating on the water in days or weeks, not years.
• Participate in real‑world testing and vessel deployments.
• Join a mission‑driven team focused on solving critical national security challenges.
• Help shape the future of autonomous logistics and maritime operations.
• Hourly pay: $40–$70 per hour.
• Equity: Early‑stage stock options.
• Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Opportunity to grow alongside a rapidly scaling hardware startup.

This position is based on‑site in the Bay Area, California.

This role may involve access to technology and technical data controlled under U.S. export‑control laws (ITAR/EAR). Candidates must be able to meet applicable U.S. export‑control requirements, which may include qualifying as a “U.S. person” under applicable regulations.

This job is part of LinkedIn’s Full‑Service Hiring beta program. Eligibility is limited to candidates located in and performing services in the United States, excluding those based in Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada, South Carolina, or West Virginia.

We’re committed to making our hiring process as smooth and timely as possible, and we understand that waiting to hear back can add to the anticipation. If you’re a potential fit, our team will reach out within two weeks to progress you to the next stage. If you don’t hear from us in that time, we encourage you to explore other opportunities with our team in the future, and we wish you the very best in your job search.