Sheet Metal Fabrication Tech - Prototype Development

Anduril Industries; Costa Mesa (CA); On-site; USD 39,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity grants

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

Anduril Industries seeks a Sheet Metal Fabrication Technician — Prototype Development to turn engineering designs into finished hardware in a fast-paced setting in Costa Mesa, CA.

You’ll begin with CAD models or drawings, progressing to flat patterns, bend sequences, and inspection. As you grow, you’ll own manufacturing decisions and work directly with engineers on fabrication challenges to improve designs before they reach the shop floor.

Qualifications

• 2+ years hands-on experience in sheet metal fabrication or related setting.
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings and fabrication instructions.
• Working knowledge of basic shop math and precision measurement tools.
• Demonstrated mechanical aptitude and ability to learn new equipment and processes.
• Willingness to develop proficiency across multiple sheet-metal fabrication processes through structured training.

Responsibilities

• Build prototype sheet-metal hardware from concept through completion using drawings and CAD models.
• Develop flat patterns and bend sequences considering material type and geometry.
• Set up, program, and operate fabrication equipment (CNC press brakes, lasers, waterjets) as training progresses.
• Select tooling, establish setups, adjust processes, and troubleshoot issues affecting part quality.
• Perform secondary operations like deburring, drilling, tapping, and finishing.
• Inspect work and address issues to ensure parts move downstream without rework.
• Collaborate with engineers on formability and fabrication considerations.
• Cross-train on additional machines to respond to changing program priorities.

Skills

Hands-on fabrication

Reading technical drawings

Shop math

Mechanical aptitude

Cross-training

Education

Vocational/technical sheet metal program

Tools

CNC press brakes

Laser cutting

Waterjet cutting

NX/SolidWorks/CAD/CAM

SigmaNEST

Job description

Anduril Industries is a defense technology company with a mission to transform U.S. and allied military capabilities with advanced technology. By bringing the expertise, technology, and business model of the 21st century’s most innovative companies to the defense industry, Anduril is changing how military systems are designed, built and sold. Anduril’s family of systems is powered by Lattice OS, an AI-powered operating system that turns thousands of data streams into a realtime, 3D command and control center. As the world enters an era of strategic competition, Anduril is committed to bringing cutting-edge autonomy, AI, computer vision, sensor fusion, and networking technology to the military in months, not years.

About The Team

Anduril’s Sheet Metal team sits within Development Manufacturing, where we turn fast-moving engineering concepts into physical hardware for some of the company’s highest-priority programs.

This is not a high-volume production shop. We build low-volume prototype and development hardware, often working directly with design engineers while designs are still evolving. The parts we make move quickly into larger assemblies, testing, and field use, giving the team a direct line of sight from an engineering concept to real hardware supporting Anduril’s mission.

We are intentional about developing versatile fabricators. Team members typically build depth in one area and then cross-train across laser cutting, waterjet, press brake, forming, finishing, and other fabrication processes. You do not need to arrive knowing every machine or process. We value people who are mechanically curious, accountable, willing to learn, and motivated to grow their craft.

About The Job

As a Sheet Metal Fabrication Technician — Prototype Development, you will help turn engineering designs into finished hardware.

You may start with a CAD model, drawing, or developing concept and carry the work through flat pattern development, cutting, forming, inspection, and delivery. As your capability grows, you will take increasing ownership of the manufacturing decisions behind the part—selecting tooling, planning bend sequences, adjusting setups, diagnosing problems, and helping engineers improve designs before they reach the shop floor.

This is a hands‑on development role for someone who wants to become a stronger all-around fabricator. You will work alongside experienced teammates, learn multiple fabrication processes over time, and take greater ownership as your skills develop.

The pace is fast, the work changes frequently, and the expectation is straightforward: learn quickly, take ownership of your work, ask good questions, and build hardware the team can trust.

What You’ll Do

• Build prototype sheet‑metal hardware from concept through completion using drawings, CAD models, work instructions, and direct collaboration with engineering.
• Develop flat patterns and bend sequences while accounting for material type, thickness, bend radius, springback, and part geometry.
• Set up, program, and operate fabrication equipment such as CNC press brakes, waterjets, lasers, punches, and related shop equipment as your training progresses.
• Select tooling, establish setups, adjust processes, and troubleshoot issues affecting part quality or manufacturability.
• Perform secondary operations including deburring, graining, drilling, tapping, countersinking, hardware insertion, finishing, and light machining.
• Inspect your work throughout the build, identify issues early, and correct or elevate problems before parts move downstream.
• Partner directly with engineers on formability, bend relief, hole-to-bend spacing, hardware selection and other design-for-fabrication considerations.
• Cross‑train on additional machines and fabrication processes so the team can respond quickly as program priorities change.
• Help maintain fabrication equipment, work areas, and shop readiness while following Anduril and OSHA safety requirements.

Required Qualifications

• 2+ years of hands‑on experience in sheet metal fabrication, machining, manufacturing, automotive, motorsports, or another mechanically focused fabrication environment; or successful completion of an accredited vocational, technical, or trade program in sheet metal fabrication, welding, machining, manufacturing technology, or a closely related discipline.
• Ability to read and work from technical drawings, sketches, models, or fabrication instructions.
• Working knowledge of basic shop math and experience using precision measuring tools.
• Demonstrated mechanical aptitude and ability to learn new equipment, processes, and technical concepts.
• Ability to take ownership of assigned work, follow through with limited supervision, and ask for guidance when requirements or conditions are unclear.
• Willingness to develop proficiency across multiple sheet‑metal fabrication processes through structured training and cross‑training.
• Ability to work safely in an industrial fabrication environment and follow applicable shop safety procedures.
• Must be a U.S. Person due to required access to U.S. export‑controlled information.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience setting up or operating CNC press brakes, laser cutters, waterjets, or comparable sheet‑metal fabrication equipment.
• Experience developing flat patterns and applying concepts such as bend allowance/deduction, K-factor, springback, and bend sequencing.
• CAD/CAM experience with NX, SolidWorks, OMAX, AMADA, SigmaNEST, or comparable tools.
• Experience in a prototype, R&D, custom fabrication, aerospace, automotive, motorsports, or other low‑volume development environment.

US Hourly Range

$28.37—$38.46 USD

Benefits

The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full time offers; and are considered part of Anduril's total compensation package. Additionally, Anduril offers top‑tier benefits for full‑time employees, including:

At Anduril, we invest in our people. Our comprehensive, competitive benefits package (available at little to no cost to employees) ensures you’re supported in health, recovery, and whatever comes next.

Data Privacy

To view Anduril's candidate data privacy policy, please visit https://anduril.com/applicant-privacy-notice/.

By submitting your application, you consent to Anduril Industries using a third‑party service provider to conduct pre‑employment risk, integrity, and due diligence screening and assessing potential risks as part of your application process. This third‑party service provider provides risk‑intelligence services that may include analysis of sanctions and watchlists, adverse media, public‑record information, and other lawful open‑source or commercial data sources. This third‑party service provider does not act as a consumer reporting agency. Use of this provider helps to ensure compliance with applicable laws and protect technology, intellectual property, and organizational security.