Prototype Shop Manager

Neros Technologies; Torrance (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity grants

Job summary

Neros Technologies in Torrance, CA is seeking a Prototype Shop Manager to oversee daily operations and guide long-term development of our prototype fabrication capabilities. You will directly manage CNC machining, 3D printing, and precision assembly while collaborating with engineers to optimize designs for manufacturability and lead times.

The role is hands-on and fast-paced, involving queue management, equipment planning, and mentoring technicians as the shop expands.

Qualifications

• 8+ years in prototype/R&D/high-mix fabrication environments.
• Strong hands-on CNC and manual machining, metals and composites.
• Experience with CAM systems and fixture/workholding design.
• Experience running a shop queue: prioritization and timelines with engineering.
• Practical metrology and basic inspection planning.
• Procurement, vendor management, and make-vs-buy decisions.
• Strong safety discipline and PPE compliance.

Responsibilities

• Own daily shop execution: intake, prioritization, scheduling, and delivery of prototype parts for engineering
• Machine and fabricate prototype parts; CNC (metals & composite materials) and 3D printing, including post‑processing and basic assembly/finish
• Partner with engineers on DFM: optimize designs for manufacturability, lead time, cost, and repeatability
• Build and enforce a safety‑first shop culture (PPE, dust/fume control for composite machining, machine guarding, training)
• Own shop readiness: tooling and consumables, calibration, and preventative maintenance scheduling
• Develop the equipment/tooling roadmap: select, justify, commission, and maintain machines, work holding, cutters, and inspection equipment
• Hire, train, and mentor technicians as the shop grows; define roles, training plans, and performance expectations

Skills

CNC machining

Manual machining

Setup & workholding

Feeds & speeds

Prototype fabrication

Team mentoring

Safety leadership

DFM collaboration

Tools

Mastercam

NX CAM

CATIA CAM

SolidCAM

Fixture design

Job description

What you will be doing

As the Prototype Shop Manager for Neros, you will own the day‑to‑day operation and long‑term development of our prototype fabrication capabilities. You will work closely with engineers to deliver high‑quality prototype parts on aggressive timelines, focusing on CNC machining, 3D printing, and precision prototype assembly/finish. The role is hands‑on in a fast‑paced environment: you will run the queue, build parts, keep the shop safe and organized, and expand capability over time through smart tooling and equipment decisions and growing the team as demand grows.

Responsibilities

• Own daily shop execution: job intake, prioritization, scheduling, and delivery of prototype parts for engineering
• Machine and fabricate prototype parts; CNC (metals & composite materials) and 3D printing, including post‑processing and basic assembly/finish
• Partner with engineers on DFM: optimize designs for manufacturability, lead time, cost, and repeatability
• Build and enforce a safety‑first shop culture (PPE, dust/fume control for composite machining, machine guarding, training)
• Own shop readiness: tooling and consumables, calibration, and preventative maintenance scheduling
• Develop the equipment/tooling roadmap: select, justify, commission, and maintain machines, work holding, cutters, and inspection equipment
• Hire, train, and mentor technicians as the shop grows; define roles, training plans, and performance expectations

Qualifications

• 8+ years in a prototype, R&D, or high‑mix fabrication environment (aerospace, robotics, motorsports, consumer hardware, job shop, etc.)
• Strong hands‑on capability in manual and CNC machining (setup, workholding, tool selection, feeds/speeds) and comfort machining both metals and composite materials
• CAM experience (Mastercam, NX CAM, CATIA CAM, SolidCAM, etc.) and fixture/workholding design experience
• Experience running or owning a shop queue: prioritization, estimating, and communicating timelines/trade‑offs with engineering teams
• Practical metrology experience (calipers/mics/indicators, datum thinking, basic inspection planning)
• Experience with procurement, vendor management, and make‑vs‑buy decisions
• Strong safety discipline (including composite dust control and shop best practices)

Nice to Have

• Experience with CNC routers for composites, dust collection systems, and composite‑specific tooling/workflows
• Metal fabrication experience including weldments and sheet metal work
• Advanced metrology, deeper GD&T, or functional gage design
• Experience commissioning equipment (layout, utilities, acceptance testing, training plans)
• Experience scaling a shop: hiring, training programs, inventory systems, or light ERP/MES tools

Export Compliance

The person hired will have access to information and items controlled by the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR), and therefore must be a “U.S. Person” or otherwise eligible to receive an export license. To assist in compliance, candidates must confirm they are a U.S. Person – U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and other qualifying categories – as defined by ITAR.

US Salary Range

$120,000 – $180,000 USD

The salary range is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors. Actual salary may vary based on experience, education, and business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are considered part of the total compensation package.

We’re an equal opportunity employer. We welcome all applicants without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.