Senior Prototype Model Maker & Shop Lead

Anduril Industries; Costa Mesa (CA); On-site; USD 54,810 - 114,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity grants

Health benefits

Job summary

Anduril Industries is seeking a hands‑on Prototype Model Making Lead to establish and operate the company’s Model Shop, planning and executing hard‑model builds from concept through final presentation. This role requires broad fabrication fluency, exceptional finish judgment, and the ability to select materials and processes for each build.

As the first technical lead, you will define shop standards, mentor future model makers, coordinate priorities, and collaborate with designers and engineers

Qualifications

• 8–10 years of extensive hands‑on experience building physical hard models, appearance models, show models, concept models, or comparable high‑finish prototypes from start to finish, with a proven track record of delivering high‑quality outputs.
• Demonstrated ability to integrate several fabrication disciplines—such as metal fabrication, welding, manual machining, composites, woodworking, plastics, surfacing, bodywork, and paint—within a single build.
• Strong craftsmanship and exceptional finish judgment, supported by a portfolio or specific examples of work delivered to demanding visual and dimensional standards.
• Proficient in interpreting CAD models, drawings, and renderings, with the ability to translate design intent into safe, practical build approaches.
• 5+ years of experience selecting appropriate materials and fabrication processes, sequencing work, troubleshooting defects, and inspecting finished work for quality.
• 3+ years of experience leading complex builds, setting technical direction, mentoring team members, and coordinating work in a prototype/model shop environment.
• 3+ years of directly mentoring teams, managing priorities, coordinating workflows, and ensuring adherence to defense manufacturing standards and deadlines in a high‑performance fabrication environment.
• A demonstrated commitment to strict safety standards and the responsible use of advanced fabrication equipment.
• Ability to work onsite full‑time in Costa Mesa, California.
• Must be a U.S. Person due to required access to U.S. export‑controlled information or facilities.

Responsibilities

• Own physical hard-model builds from initial request and design data through fabrication, assembly, surfacing, paint, inspection, and final presentation.
• Translate CAD, drawings, renderings, and incomplete design direction into practical build plans, material choices, fabrication sequences, estimates, and inspection points.
• Create frames and internal structures using steel and aluminum; cut, fit, form, machine, join, and finish components across multiple materials.
• Apply broad working proficiency in welding, manual machining, sheet‑metal fabrication, composites, plastics, wood, fillers, coatings, and paint to produce convincing, durable models.
• Partner with Design and Engineering to clarify intent, surface manufacturability risks, propose alternatives, and preserve the visual and dimensional goals of each model.
• Establish craftsmanship, safety, organization, documentation, and quality standards for a new model‑making capability.
• Coordinate concurrent requests, communicate capacity and schedule tradeoffs, and protect finish quality under changing priorities.
• Mentor model makers and adjacent fabricators through demonstrations, feedback, and repeatable work practices.
• Support shop equipment, material, vendor, and inventory decisions needed to deliver builds reliably.

Skills

Model making

Fabrication

Mentoring

CAD interpretation

Job description

Anduril Industries is seeking a hands‑on Prototype Model Making Lead to establish and operate the company’s Model Shop, planning and executing hard‑model builds from concept through final presentation. This role requires broad fabrication fluency, exceptional finish judgment, and the ability to select materials and processes for each build.

As the first technical lead, you will define shop standards, mentor future model makers, coordinate priorities, and collaborate with designers and engineers