Senior Prototype Fabrication Technician - Weld & Assemble

Front Door Defense; Costa Mesa, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 51,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

Anduril Industries in Costa Mesa, CA is seeking a Senior Development Fabrication Technician to take prototype hardware from drawing to finished assembly. You will plan builds, select fabrication methods, lay out components, weld, machine, and design fixtures while collaborating with engineers to resolve issues.

You will fabricate steel, stainless steel, and aluminum assemblies, ensuring tight tolerances and high build quality across diverse prototypes for new vehicles or systems.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of hands-on fabrication or related metalworking experience.
• Advanced experience with MIG, FCAW, and TIG welding processes.
• Experience fabricating steel, stainless steel, and aluminum assemblies.
• Strong sheet-metal fabrication skills with shop tooling.
• Ability to read and interpret complex engineering drawings including GD&T.
• Ability to plan fabrication from raw material to finished assembly.
• Proficiency with conventional shop equipment and holding tight tolerances.
• Strong problem-solving and communications with engineers.

Responsibilities

• Own prototype builds from start to finish translating drawings to hardware.
• Determine build sequence, tooling, fixturing, and material prep per job.
• Fabricate assemblies using layout, welding, cutting, drilling, grinding, machining.
• Build Weldments across steel, stainless, aluminum using GMAW, FCAW, GTAW.
• Design and build weld fixtures and tooling for alignment and tolerances.
• Identify fit-up, distortion, and manufacturability issues early.
• Work with design engineers to resolve unclear drawings and evolving designs.
• Suggest practical changes to improve buildability and speed.
• Perform dimensional and visual inspection; decide rework or rebuild.
• Execute R&D fabrication with limited oversight and planning.
• Adapt to changing designs, priorities, or program requirements.
• Mentor teammates and improve shop fabrication practices.
• Maintain safe, organized work environment per safety requirements.

Skills

GMAW/MIG welding

FCAW welding

GTAW/TIG welding

Welding processes

Sheet metal fabrication

Reading engineering drawings

GD&T interpretation

Fabrication planning

Precision machining

Weld fixture design

Team collaboration

Tools

NX

SolidWorks

Job description

Anduril Industries in Costa Mesa, CA is seeking a Senior Development Fabrication Technician to take prototype hardware from drawing to finished assembly. You will plan builds, select fabrication methods, lay out components, weld, machine, and design fixtures while collaborating with engineers to resolve issues.

You will fabricate steel, stainless steel, and aluminum assemblies, ensuring tight tolerances and high build quality across diverse prototypes for new vehicles or systems.