Prototype Fabricator

Panthalassa; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 62,000 - 76,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Disability insurance

401(k)

Job summary

Panthalassa in Portland, OR seeks a hands-on Prototype Fabricator to build, test, and refine hydro turbine and generator prototypes. You will work alongside world‑class engineers on precision assemblies, fixtures, and tooling to translate designs into robust hardware destined for sea deployments.

The role emphasizes metal fabrication, welding, and tolerances, with collaboration across mechanical, electrical, and R&D teams. On-site work with flexible hours and strong problem-solving is expected.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in prototype fabrication, metal fabrication, welding, or related trade.
• Ability to fabricate one-off and low-volume assemblies from drawings, CAD models, sketches, and verbal direction.
• Understanding of GD&T and tolerance interpretation.
• Experience using 3D printing for functional prototyping or tooling.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Able to independently work on complex fixtures and assembly designs.

Responsibilities

• Operate traditional machines (mill, lathe, saws, shears, press brakes, rollers, drill presses, grinders, plasma cutters) and related fabrication equipment.
• Perform field-fit modifications, repairs, and rework on hydro-turbine and generator subassemblies.
• Support trial builds, teardowns, re-assembly and design iterations.
• Interpret and work from detailed drawings and CAD models.
• Collaborate with design engineers to improve manufacturability.
• Design, fabricate, and validate custom fixtures, jigs, and alignment tools.
• Use 3D printing for rapid prototyping of fixtures and mock-ups.
• Ensure tolerance stack-ups during assembly.
• Document procedures, inspection reports, and deviations.
• Provide feedback on assembly challenges and fixture effectiveness.
• Support prototype iterations and root-cause analysis.
• Contribute to build repeatability, safety, and efficiency.

Skills

Prototype fabrication

Metal fabrication

GD&T

3D printing

Troubleshooting

Communication skills

Independent work

Tools

NX/Teamcenter

Multi-axis CNC

TIG/MIG welding

Laser cutting

Job description

We are a renewable energy and ocean technology company committed to rapidly developing and deploying technologies that will ensure a sustainable future for Earth by unlocking the vast energy potential of its oceans. Our focus is on capturing civilizational levels of ultra-low-cost renewable energy for applications including computing and affordable renewable fuels delivered to shore.

The company is a public benefit corporation headquartered in Portland, Oregon, and backed by leading venture capitalists, philanthropic investors, university endowments, and private investment offices. We operate as an idea meritocracy in which the best ideas change the company’s direction on a regular basis.

Our staff have worked at organizations such as SpaceX, Blue Origin, Boeing, Tesla, Apple, Virgin Orbit, Astra, Google, Amazon, Microsoft, New Relic, Bridgewater, Raytheon, Disney Imagineering, and the US Army and Air Force, as well as research universities, startups, and small companies across a range of industries.

About the Job

Our core technology is the node, a device that produces energy in the ocean’s harshest conditions for years at a time without human maintenance or intervention. The Node's turbo-generator system is the critical component which includes all components from the fluid interface through to encompassing electromechanical energy conversion, dynamic sealing, structural integration, and control interfaces.

As a Prototype Fabricator, you will support the manufacturing, machining, assembly, and integration of hydro turbines and generators. This is a roll-up-your-sleeves role in which you'll prototype, build, and troubleshoot alongside world-class engineers.

This role sits at the intersection of precision machining, electromechanical assembly, and innovative fixture design, supporting prototype builds as well as low-volume production. You will work closely with motor/generator engineers, fluid dynamicists, mechanical engineers and highly skilled electrical technicians to translate designs into robust, manufacturable hardware, ultimately ending in its deployment in the Node at sea.

Candidates should have strong interpersonal skills and thrive in a creative, scrappy, and collaborative environment in which the best ideas change the company’s direction on a regular basis. If you are an excellent technician, regardless of your background, we want you to apply.

We strive to be the best engineering team on the planet and we compensate our team accordingly.

Responsibilities

• Operate traditional machines such as mill, lathe, saws, shears, press brakes, rollers, drill presses, grinders, plasma cutters, and related fabrication equipment
• Perform field-fit modifications, repairs, and rework on prototype and production hydro-turbine and generator subassemblies, precision rotating machinery, sealing interfaces, and related integration tooling
• Support trial builds, teardowns, re-assembly and design iterations
• Interpret and work from detailed manufacturing drawings and CAD models
• Collaborate with design engineers to suggest manufacturability improvements
• Design, fabricate, and validate custom assembly fixtures, jigs, and alignment tools
• Utilize 3D printing for rapid prototyping of fixtures and mock-ups
• Ensure compliance with tolerance stack-ups during assembly
• Document assembly procedures, inspection reports, and deviations
• Provide feedback on assembly challenges, tolerance feasibility and fixture effectiveness
• Support prototype iteration cycles and root-cause analysis
• Contribute ideas to improve build repeatability, safety, and efficiency

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years of hands‑on experience in prototype fabrication, metal fabrication, welding, or a related trade
• Demonstrated ability to fabricate one‑off and low‑volume assemblies from drawings, CAD models, sketches, and verbal direction
• Working knowledge of GD&T and tolerance interpretation
• Experience using 3D printing for functional prototyping or tooling
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Able to independently work on complex fixtures and assembly designs
• Strong problem‑solving and hands‑on troubleshooting ability
• High technical curiosity and a passion for learning
• Innovative mindset, comfortable designing solutions when standard tools don’t exist
• High attention to detail and craftsmanship
• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills

Desired Qualifications

• 10+ years in a similar role
• Experience operating and supporting multi‑axis CNC machines for shafts, turbine runners, fixtures, tooling etc.
• Proficiency in TIG and MIG welding, preferably with stainless steel, aluminum, and carbon steel
• Experience fabricating, repairing, and finishing fiberglass components using molds, hand layup, vacuum bagging, resin systems, and composite bonding techniques
• Experience assembling high‑precision rotating machinery
• Experience working alongside R&D teams in iterative development environments
• Experience working on marine or offshore machinery
• Experience working on subsea bearings, or hydrodynamic bearings, or hydrostatic bearings
• Experience working on laser cutting and laser welding processes
• Experience with instrumentation and controls (pressure transducers, thermocouples, RTDs, etc.)
• Familiarity with NX/Teamcenter
• Familiarity with materials and coatings for submerged or corrosive environments
• Familiarity with magnetic components and magnet safety
• Basic understanding of hydro turbines and electrical machines (stators, windings, insulation systems)

The above qualifications are desired, not required. We encourage you to apply if you are a strong candidate with only some of the desired skills and experience listed.

Additional Requirements

• Travel to vendors and test sites as needed
• Intermittently able to work longer hours and weekends to support critical needs. While we expect a lot of each other, we also offer a high degree of autonomy and work‑life balance, including flexiblePTO and flexible working hours.

Compensation and Benefits

If hired for this full‑time role, you will receive:

• Cash compensation of $45-55/hour.
• Equity in the company. We’re all owners and if we’re successful, this equity should be far and away the most valuable component of your compensation.
• A benefits package that helps you take care of yourself and your family, including:
  • Flexible paid time off
  • Health insurance (the company pays 100% of gold‑level PPO plan for full‑time employees, their partners, and dependents)
  • Dental insurance (the company pays 100% for full‑time employees, their partners, and dependents)
  • Vision insurance (the company pays 100% for full‑time employees, their partners, and dependents)
  • Disability insurance (the company pays 100% for a policy to provide long‑term financial support if you become disabled)
  • Ability to contribute to tax‑advantaged accounts, including 401(k), health FSA, and dependent care FSA
• Relocation assistance to facilitate your move to Portland (if needed).

Location

This is an on‑site position. Our offices, lab, and shop are located inPortland, Oregon.