Senior Development Fabrication Technician
$77,002–$102,003 year
On-siteCosta Mesa, California, United States
Job Summary
Review work orders and determine efficient build plans for low-volume structural prototypes and weldments. Fabricate small to large assemblies using welding, drilling, grinding, and manual machining while designing fixtures to hold stringent tolerances. Own R&D tasks end-to-end, evaluating designs, ordering material, and executing fabrication with limited oversight. Perform quality checks on finished hardware and provide direct feedback to design engineers on manufacturability to drive buildability improvements. Work safely within the shop adhering to OSHA and internal safety standards. Manage shifting priorities in a high-tempo R&D environment to support advanced defense programs.
Required Qualifications
- 10+ years of hands-on metal fabrication and welding experience in prototype, R&D, or low-volume production
- 10+ years of expertise in GMAW, FCAW, and GTAW welding (steel, stainless, aluminum, exotic alloys)
- Proficiency in sheet metal fabrication and forming (finger brakes, slip rollers, bead rollers, etc.) with precise tolerance control
- Able to accurately read and interpret complex engineering drawings, including GD&T
- Proficiency in basic conventional machining (manual mill and lathe) to +/- 0.005 inches
- Adaptable problem-solver: Thrives in dynamic R&D, making sound technical decisions with incomplete or changing information
- Strong shop math and practical mechanical reasoning for complex fabrication problem-solving
- Agile and mission-driven: Manages shifting priorities effectively, maintaining quality despite evolving national security program demands
- Direct, collaborative communicator: Professionally challenges designs and provides clear, constructive feedback to engineering on manufacturability
- Team-first mentality: Willing to mentor peers, share knowledge, and contribute to a collaborative, high-performing environment
- Must be a U.S. Person due to access to export-controlled data
Desired Qualifications
- CAD experience, ideally NX or SolidWorks
- Working knowledge of start-to-finish sequencing for large-scale fabrication builds
- High mechanical aptitude from aerospace, automotive, or motorsports backgrounds
- Experience designing weld fixtures and holding tolerances on large weldments (e.g., within +/- 0.010 inches)
- Familiarity with aerospace welding standards such as AWS D17.1 or NAVSEA/D1.1
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