Senior Prototype Fabricator

Knoll Inc.; Michigan; On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

MillerKnoll is seeking a Senior Model Maker to independently build prototypes, models, and mock‑ups for Design and Development teams. You will lead cost estimation, collaborate on production feasibility, and design fixtures or molds to support model creation.

Role requires 10+ years in a design/model shop, deep knowledge of materials, CAD/CAM, and rapid prototyping. You’ll mentor an apprentice and work with minimal supervision in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Journeyman Design Model Maker or equivalent, with 10+ years’ experience in a Design/Development Model Shop.
• Good competency and creative skills.
• Professional knowledge of materials such as clay, wood, metal, sheet metal, plastics, epoxies, urethanes, and metal castings.
• Familiarity with Industrial Design concepts and processes.
• Professional understanding of manufacturing processes related to wood, metal forming, and plastic.
• Well‑developed conceptual, analytical, and communication skills.
• Professional understanding of Rapid‑Prototyping and Rapid‑Tooling industry and processes.
• Professional knowledge of Product View, Solid View, Pro‑E drawing and part files, as well as importing and exporting CAD data, CNC/CAM.
• Professional understanding of modeling technologies and equipment used in CAD/CAM, Product Visualization, and FEA.
• Ability to make sound decisions with incomplete data.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings.
• Ability to solve problems urgently in a fast‑paced environment.
• Self‑starter, reliable, motivated, and able to work collaboratively in a team environment.
• Capable of working under minimal or no supervision.
• Demonstrated ability to use office automation, communication software, and tools in the HMI environment.
• Must be able to perform all essential functions of the position with or without accommodations.

Responsibilities

• Lead cost estimating exercises for components and large development builds.
• Collaborate on product design solutions to influence feasibility of production or prototype runs.
• Design and build fixtures or molds as needed to aid in building models and prototypes.
• Develop and build models, prototypes, and mock‑ups in the most feasible way, per customer requirements, goals and objectives.
• Lead the development and training of a model maker apprentice.
• Perform responsibilities safely and in compliance with state, federal, and company policy.
• Use standard modeling techniques, materials, processes, and technology professionally.
• Recommend and implement materials, methods, procedures, and technology for building models and prototypes.
• Serve as the lead model maker on projects, providing technical expertise, recommendations, and guidance to assigned teams.
• Take strong ownership of projects and provide vital feedback to customers on completed projects.
• Work normally under no supervision.
• Perform additional responsibilities as requested to achieve business objectives.

Job description

Role Overview

The Senior Model Maker will independently perform and coordinate the building of prototypes, models, and mock‑ups to the degree of completion required by Design and Development teams for proper evaluation and presentation.

Responsibilities

• Able to lead cost estimating exercises for components and large development builds.
• Collaborate on product design solutions to influence feasibility of production or prototype runs.
• Design and build fixtures or molds as needed to aid in building models and prototypes.
• Develop and build models, prototypes, and mock‑ups in the most feasible way, per customer requirements, goals and objectives.
• Lead the development and training of a model maker apprentice.
• Perform responsibilities safely and in compliance with state, federal, and company policy.
• Use standard modeling techniques, materials, processes, and technology professionally.
• Recommend and implement materials, methods, procedures, and technology for building models and prototypes.
• Serve as the lead model maker on projects, providing technical expertise, recommendations, and guidance to assigned teams.
• Take strong ownership of projects and provide vital feedback to customers on completed projects.
• Work normally under no supervision.
• Perform additional responsibilities as requested to achieve business objectives.

Qualifications

• Journeyman Design Model Maker or equivalent, with 10+ years’ experience in a Design/Development Model Shop.
• Good competency and creative skills.
• Professional knowledge of materials such as clay, wood, metal, sheet metal, plastics, epoxies, urethanes, and metal castings.
• Familiarity with Industrial Design concepts and processes.
• Professional understanding of manufacturing processes related to wood, metal forming, and plastic.
• Well‑developed conceptual, analytical, and communication skills.
• Professional understanding of Rapid‑Prototyping and Rapid‑Tooling industry and processes.
• Professional knowledge of Product View, Solid View, Pro‑E drawing and part files, as well as importing and exporting CAD data, CNC/CAM.
• Professional understanding of modeling technologies and equipment used in CAD/CAM, Product Visualization, and FEA.
• Ability to make sound decisions with incomplete data.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings.
• Ability to solve problems urgently in a fast‑paced environment.
• Self‑starter, reliable, motivated, and able to work collaboratively in a team environment.
• Capable of working under minimal or no supervision.
• Demonstrated ability to use office automation, communication software, and tools in the HMI environment.
• Must be able to perform all essential functions of the position with or without accommodations.

Physical Demands

Must be able to perform all essential functions of the position with or without accommodations.

Equal Opportunity Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer.MillerKnoll complies with applicable disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities.