NPI Technician: Prototyping, Testing & First Article

Anduril-1; Costa Mesa (CA); On-site; USD 56,000 - 74,000; Full time

Job summary

Anduril Industries in Costa Mesa, CA, seeks an experienced NPI Technician to support prototype assembly, testing, and the transition of new products from design to production, while coordinating with suppliers and tooling teams.

You'll develop manufacturing processes, perform first article builds, conduct detailed inspections with micrometers, calipers, and CMMs, and collect data for SPC analysis to drive yield, reliability, and cross‑functional improvements in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of technician experience in NPI, manufacturing, or assembly.
• Hands-on assembly and troubleshooting of mechanical, electromechanical, and optical systems.
• Strong GD&T knowledge and ability to interpret engineering drawings.
• Experience with CNC machining, injection molding, and precision assembly.
• Proficiency with micrometers, calipers, and CMM inspection tools.
• Experience with first article builds and design verification/validation processes.
• Knowledge of SPC and data analysis tools (Excel, Minitab).

Responsibilities

• Prototype assembly, testing, and troubleshooting of subsystems.
• Develop and refine manufacturing processes for new products.
• Support first article manufacturing and design verification.
• Inspect components using micrometers, calipers, and CMM.
• Collaborate on fixtures, tooling, and test rigs.
• Collect production data and perform statistical analysis.
• Identify opportunities to improve processes and yield.
• Provide feedback to design for future iterations.

Skills

5+ years experience

Mechanical assembly

Electromechanical systems

Optical systems

GD&T

SPC data analysis

First article builds

Data analysis with Excel

Tools

CMMs

Micrometers

Calipers

Fixtures/tooling

Measurement instruments

Job description

Anduril Industries in Costa Mesa, CA, seeks an experienced NPI Technician to support prototype assembly, testing, and the transition of new products from design to production, while coordinating with suppliers and tooling teams.

You'll develop manufacturing processes, perform first article builds, conduct detailed inspections with micrometers, calipers, and CMMs, and collect data for SPC analysis to drive yield, reliability, and cross‑functional improvements in a fast-paced environment.