Senior Prototype Engineer, Welding

NextGenEnergyJobs; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 100,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible paid time off

100% health insurance coverage

Equity in the company

Relocation assistance

Job summary

NextGenEnergyJobs is seeking a Senior Prototype Engineer to join their team in Portland, Oregon. In this pivotal role, you will design and build hardware capable of withstanding harsh ocean conditions, fabrication, and running a shop that is central to the company’s success.

As a Senior Engineer, you will craft prototypes and flight hardware, ensuring quality and performance while working closely with engineers. This full-time position offers a salary range of $100,000 to $175,000 alongside a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• Experience building hardware for rough environments such as marine or aerospace.
• Must be able to stand for up to 8 hours and lift 50 pounds occasionally.
• Comfortable working at heights and in confined spaces with necessary safety equipment.

Responsibilities

• Design and build prototype and production hardware using various processes.
• Fabricate and weld structural assemblies from engineering drawings.
• Develop and document production processes and work instructions.

Skills

Welding

Machining

CAD

Additive processes

Hardware development for harsh environments

Job description

The ability to support occasional deployment or field assignments of up to two weeks at a time, one to two times per year.

Key Responsibilities

• We are building hardware that has to survive real ocean conditions. That means constant prototyping, welding, fabrication, and iteration. Our shop is not a support function, it is central to the company’s success. As a Senior Prototype Engineer, Welding , you will design and build prototype and flight hardware, develop fixturing and production processes, and help shape the long-term capabilities of our shop.
• You will work side-by-side with engineers and machinists to turn concepts into hardware quickly and correctly. You will own weldments and assemblies from drawing to finished part, provide direct DFM feedback to design engineers, and help ensure the shop runs safely and efficiently. Good work in this role looks like strong hardware, clean welds, practical fixtures, clear documentation, and a shop that gets better every month.
• Design and manufacture prototype and production hardware using welding, machining, CAD, and additive processes
• Fabricate and weld structural assemblies from engineering drawings
• Develop and document production processes, work instructions, and shop capabilities
• Provide direct DFM feedback to design engineers to improve manufacturability and cost
• Design and build fixturing to support repeatable fabrication and assembly
• Maintain shop organization, tooling systems, and equipment readiness
• Enforce and model a strong safety culture in daily work
• Order supplies and equipment; research tools, materials, and techniques to improve shop performance
• Create and maintain documentation systems using standard office software
• Support other teams as needed, including facilities, logistics, and operations

Requirements

• Experience building hardware for harsh environments such as marine, aerospace, or heavy industrial systems
• Experience developing new shop layouts or scaling fabrication capabilities in a growing organization
• 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.
• Must be able to stand for extended periods (up to 8-hours per day) and occasionally lift 50 pounds or more
• Comfortable working at height (ladders and platforms) and in confined spaces with appropriate safety equipment and training
• Willingness to support other teams across the company when needed
• Must be authorized to work in the United States.
• If hired for this full-time role, you will receive:
• Cash compensation of $100,000 - $175,000
• 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 and 100% for 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).