Andurilindustries

Prototype Model Making Lead

Costa Mesa, California, United States · Full-time

Sponsorship not specified$55k-$114kDetected 7 hours ago

Computer VisionRecruitingIntellectual PropertySensorsCommunicationMentoring

About the role

By bringing this capability in house, the team will improve speed, iteration, craftsmanship, and control while reducing significant reliance on external vendors.
This is not a narrow welding, machining, or production-supervision role.

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
Partner with Design and Engineering to clarify intent, surface manufacturability risks, propose alternatives, and preserve the visual and dimensional goals of each model.
Support shop equipment, material, vendor, and inventory decisions needed to deliver builds reliably.
Create frames and internal structures using steel and aluminum; cut, fit, form, machine, join, and finish components across multiple materials.
The Model Shop is a new in-house capability that partners with Design, Engineering, and business stakeholders to turn digital concepts into full-scale, presentation-quality physical models.
As the first technical lead in this capability, you will also help define shop standards, mentor future model makers, coordinate priorities, and build trusted partnerships with designers and engineers.
Via Agency Partner: If contacted by a recruiting agency for an Anduril role, their email will clearly identify their agency.
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.

Requirements

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.
Must be a U.S. Person due to required access to U.S. export-controlled information or facilities.
Apply broad working proficiency in welding, manual machining, sheet-metal fabrication, composites, plastics, wood, fillers, coatings, and paint to produce convincing, durable models.

Nice to have

Experience helping launch, scale, or improve a model shop or prototype fabrication capability.
Working knowledge of 3D printing, Fabrication processes, composites tooling, paint systems, or vendor management.

Compensation

$54.81 - $114,000 USD

Benefits

Our comprehensive, competitive benefits package (available at little to no cost to employees) ensures you're supported in health, recovery, and whatever comes next.
For more information, Explore Our Benefits.
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.

Company info

These models help teams communicate design intent, evaluate physical form, and showcase Anduril products to customers and other stakeholders.
We are looking for a hands-on Prototype Model Making Lead to help establish and operate Anduril's Model Shop.
At Anduril, we invest in our people.
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

Visa & Work Authorization

Must be a U.S. Person due to required access to U

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This listing is sourced directly from Andurilindustries's careers page and normalized into a canonical job model.