R&D Fabricator

Santa Cruz Bicycles; California (MO); On-site; USD 48,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Santa Cruz Bicycles in Santa Cruz, California, is seeking an experienced R&D Fabricator to bridge digital design and real-world frames. You will fabricate prototype frames, design fixtures, and build test lab equipment within the Santa Cruz Factory, reporting to the R&D Lab Manager.

This full-time role requires hands-on machining, CAD proficiency in Creo, and strong collaboration with engineers and designers.

Qualifications

• 8+ years as a fabricator, with full-suspension frame work.
• Proficient TIG welding of aluminum and steel.
• Hands-on experience with manual mill and lathe.
• CAD drawings and detailed part/assembly documentation in Creo.
• Ability to design fixtures and fixtures for test lab.

Responsibilities

• Fabricate full-suspension bicycle frames with high accuracy.
• Measure alignment and tolerances for prototypes.
• Design and build fixtures and test lab equipment.
• Use Creo to design parts and fixtures.
• Support bike assembly factory with fixture development.
• Perform manual machining as needed.
• Maintain a clean, precision workspace.

Skills

Fabrication experience

TIG welding

Manual milling/lathe

Creo CAD

Fixture design

CNC machining

Tools

Creo CAD

Manual mill/lathe

CNC machining

Job description

ABOUT US

Our mission at Santa Cruz Bicycles is to make the best bicycles and to have fun doing it. Since 1994, we’ve been doing just that, and finding unique and innovative solutions for everything from suspension design to manufacturing processes along the way. We are a global organization and one of many premium brands in the Pon Bike portfolio, the largest bike company in the world. We are humble but proud of our heritage, built on our commitment to quality products and our most valued asset, talented people who are invited to be themselves and enhance our distinctive and evolving workplace culture.

ABOUT YOU

As our R&D Fabricator, you aren't just following a blueprint; you are the bridge between a digital design and a physical ride. Reporting to the R&D Lab Manager, you will support the Engineering Department by fabricating the prototype frames and custom fixtures that define the next generation of mountain biking. You will support the Engineering Department by fabricating prototype bicycle frames, designing and building fixtures and equipment for the Engineering Test Lab and work in the Santa Cruz Factory location in Santa Cruz, California. This role requires you to report to the Santa Cruz Bicycles factory location in Santa Cruz, California. There is no remote working option for this role. Relocation packages are available.

WHAT DOES YOUR DAY JOB LOOK LIKE

• Fabricate full-suspension bicycle frames with elite accuracy and efficiency
• Measure and record alignment and point-to-point tolerances to ensure every prototype meets our standards
• Design and fabricate new fixtures and equipment to improve the quality of our prototype frames
• Use Creo to design and build the parts, fixtures, and test lab equipment
• Work with our Production Engineering team to design and build new fixtures to level up and support our bike assembly factory in Santa Cruz
• Perform manual machining as needed
• Keep the shop running like a precision machine — servicing mills, replacing worn tools, and maintaining a clean, professional workspace

WHAT YOU BRING TO THE TABLE

• 8+ years working as a fabricator
• Experience with TIG welding (aluminum and steel)
• In depth experience using a manual mill and lathe
• Experience in accurately fabricating/welding full suspension bicycle frames and other parts is preferred
• Experience designing and fabricating fixtures
• Expert manual machinist, using mill and lathe, CNC experience is a plus
• Experience creating fully detailed parts and assemblies in CAD (Creo preferred), including properly dimensioned engineering drawings, is a plus
• Experience with carbon and aluminum bonding is preferred
• Working knowledge of 6000 series aluminum heat treatment protocol is preferred
• Ability to pivot quickly when priorities shift and provide clear, professional updates to the team on project status
• You enjoy working with designers and engineers and view constructive feedback as a tool to build a better bike

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read and comprehend and explain documents in English. Effectively communicate, verbally and in writing, in English.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS FOR THE ROLE

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the overall duties and responsibilities of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable otherwise qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the overall duties and responsibilities. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, use of hands and fingers, handle, or feel, reach above head with hands and arms, lift, push, climb, stoop, kneel, crouch, and/or crawl, pull, talk and hear. The employee must lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Vision may be corrected within normal range. The noise level in the work environment is quiet.

SALARY RANGE

This compensation package will be dependent on experience, qualifications, industry experience and the interview with a potential range of up to $35 - $45 per hour.