Prototype Technician

Nautique Boat Company; Orlando (FL); Hybrid; USD 45,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Nautique Boat Company in Orlando, FL is seeking a Prototype Technician to create and install parts for prototypes. You will test performance to meet standards, operate a range of hand and power tools, and work from prints and specs.

The role includes working with composites and fiberglass, assembling components, and performing on-going quality tests. The ideal candidate has strong mechanical skills, experience with tooling, reading prints, and the ability to adapt to changing production needs.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent; technical degree preferred.
• Experience with composites and manufacturing processes.
• Ability to read assembly prints and follow specs.
• Proficient in reading measurements with calipers and tape.
• Experience using common hand and power tools in a shop environment.

Responsibilities

• Sprays gel coat onto test parts.
• Tapes, wraps, and preps molds for spray.
• Applies and rolls layers of fiberglass and resin.
• Inserts metal reinforcing pieces.
• Pulls prototype parts, hulls, and decks out of molds.
• Grinds edges off parts and inside of hulls.
• Cuts and drills holes according to prints and specifications.
• Inspects gel coat and sands and buffs parts.
• Assembles and installs all components of the prototype.
• Performs quality tests on specific prototype parts.
• Conducts performance tests on prototypes during all stages.
• Fabricates sheet metal components.

Skills

Mechanical skills

Hand tools proficiency

Calipers & torque wrenches

Tape measure reading

Prints/assembly reading

Swimming ability

Team collaboration

Adaptability

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

Associate degree or technical degree (preferred)

Tools

Battery screw guns

Drills

Table saw

Band saws

Grinders

Routers

Calipers

Torque wrenches

Job description

Description

Job Description:

Creates and installs parts according to specifications in support of a product within the prototyping stage. The Prototype Technician is familiar with every sequence of building a boat and tests the performance of the product to meet specific standards.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Sprays gel coat onto test parts.
• Tapes, wraps, and preps molds for spray.
• Applies and rolls layers of fiberglass and resin.
• Inserts metal reinforcing pieces.
• Pulls prototype parts, hulls, and decks out of molds.
• Grinds edges off parts and inside of hulls.
• Cuts and drills holes according to prints and specifications.
• Inspects gel coat and sands and buffs parts.
• Assembles and installs all components of the prototype.
• Performs quality tests on specific prototype parts.
• Conducts performance tests on prototypes during all stages.
• Fabricates sheet metal components.

Skills, and Abilities:

• Strong mechanical skills required.
• Ability to proficiently use common hand tools and specialty tools such as battery screw guns, drills, table saw, band saws, grinders, routers, calipers, and torque wrenches.
• Ability to read a tape measure accurately.
• Ability to read assembly prints and assemble units per print.
• Ability to swim in lakes and around boats.
• [AS1] Ability to keep the work area clean and orderly.
• Ability to follow all safety requirements and guidelines.
• Ability to work well with the team to complete required tasks.
• Ability to take direction from various Supervisors and Managers, and adapt to change quickly and often
• Must be flexible to change daily scheduled hours to work with Production’s requirements as needed.
• Required to sign and abide by the Nautique Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) to ensure the protection of the new product for the company.

Requirements

Knowledge, Education and/or Experience:

• High School degree or equivalent.
• Associate degree or technical degree preferred.
• 1 to 3 years previous experience in manufacturing preferred.
• Composites experience required.
• Basic computer skills required.
• Experience driving a Forklift preferred.
• Experience loading and hauling boats preferred.
• Boat driving, loading and hauling experience preferred.
• Experience with tooling, infusion, and hull shaping skills a plus.

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to work in a non-climate-controlled environment where ambient air temperature can exceed outside air temperature occasionally.
• Must be able to bend at the waist and knees and stand for extended periods of time.
• Must be able to lift 40 pounds when necessary.
• This is a safety-sensitive position.
• Swimming is necessary to successfully perform some functions of the role.
• Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, sit, use hand to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls, reach with hands and arms, climb stairs, balance, stoop kneel, crouch, or crawl, talk, and hear.

Additional Requirements:

• Must be a licensed driver with a good driving record (subject to MVR).