Renewable Energy Power Generation

Prototype Fabricator

Portland, OROnsiteFull TimePosted 21 days ago

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Required skills

prototype fabrication
metal fabrication
welding
machining
assembly
hydro turbines
generators
electromechanical assembly
fixture design
CAD models

Nice to have

CNC machining
multi-axis CNC
TIG welding
MIG welding
stainless steel
aluminum

Role summary

A renewable energy and ocean technology company is seeking a Prototype Fabricator to support the manufacturing, machining, assembly, and integration of hydro turbines and generators. This hands-on role involves prototyping, building, and troubleshooting alongside engineers, working at the intersection of precision machining, electromechanical assembly, and fixture design. Responsibilities include operating fabrication equipment, performing modifications and repairs, interpreting drawings and CAD models, designing and fabricating custom fixtures, performing dimensional inspections, and documenting procedures. The ideal candidate has 5+ years of experience in prototype fabrication, metal fabrication, or a related trade, with a strong understanding of GD&T and 3D printing. Desired qualifications include CNC machining, welding, composite fabrication, and experience with marine or subsea machinery.

About the Company

We are a renewable energy and ocean technology company committed to rapidly developing and deploying technologies that will ensure a sustainable future for Earth by unlocking the vast energy potential of its oceans. Our focus is on capturing civilizational levels of ultra-low-cost renewable energy for applications including computing and affordable renewable fuels delivered to shore.

The company is a public benefit corporation headquartered in Portland, Oregon, and backed by leading venture capitalists, philanthropic investors, university endowments, and private investment offices. We operate as an idea meritocracy in which the best ideas change the company’s direction on a regular basis.

Our staff have worked at organizations such as SpaceX, Blue Origin, Boeing, Tesla, Apple, Virgin Orbit, Astra, Google, Amazon, Microsoft, New Relic, Bridgewater, Raytheon, Disney Imagineering, and the US Army and Air Force, as well as research universities, startups, and small companies across a range of industries.

About the Job

Our core technology is the node, a device that produces energy in the ocean’s harshest conditions for years at a time without human maintenance or intervention. The Node's turbo-generator system is the critical component which includes all components from the fluid interface through to encompassing electromechanical energy conversion, dynamic sealing, structural integration, and control interfaces.

As a Prototype Fabricator, you will support the manufacturing, machining, assembly, and integration of hydro turbines and generators. This is a roll-up-your-sleeves role in which you'll prototype, build, and troubleshoot alongside world-class engineers.

This role sits at the intersection of precision machining, electromechanical assembly, and innovative fixture design, supporting prototype builds as well as low-volume production. You will work closely with motor/generator engineers, fluid dynamicists, mechanical engineers and highly skilled electrical technicians to translate designs into robust, manufacturable hardware, ultimately ending in its deployment in the Node at sea.

Candidates should have strong interpersonal skills and thrive in a creative, scrappy, and collaborative environment in which the best ideas change the company’s direction on a regular basis. If you are an excellent technician, regardless of your background, we want you to apply.

We strive to be the best engineering team on the planet and we compensate our team accordingly.

Responsibilities

Operate traditional machines such as mill, lathe, saws, shears, press brakes, rollers, drill presses, grinders, plasma cutters, and related fabrication equipment

Perform field-fit modifications, repairs, and rework on prototype and production hydro-turbine and generator subassemblies, precision rotating machinery, sealing interfaces, and related integration tooling

Support trial builds, teardowns, re-assembly and design iterations

Interpret and work from detailed manufacturing drawings and CAD models

Collaborate with design engineers to suggest manufacturability improvements

Design, fabricate, and validate custom assembly fixtures, jigs, and alignment tools

Utilize 3D printing for rapid prototyping of fixtures and mock-ups

Perform dimensional inspections using Vernier Calipers, micrometers, bore gauges, Dial indicators, height gauges etc.

Ensure compliance with tolerance stack-ups during assembly

Document assembly procedures, inspection reports, and deviations

Provide feedback on assembly challenges, tolerance feasibility and fixture effectiveness

Support prototype iteration cycles and root-cause analysis

Contribute ideas to improve build repeatability, safety, and efficiency

Required Qualifications

5+ years of hands-on experience in prototype fabrication, metal fabrication, welding, or a related trade

Demonstrated ability to fabricate one-off and low-volume assemblies from drawings, CAD models, sketches, and verbal direction

Working knowledge of GD&T and tolerance interpretation

Experience using 3D printing for functional prototyping or tooling

Strong written and verbal communication skills

Able to independently work on complex fixtures and assembly designs

Strong problem-solving and hands-on troubleshooting ability

High technical curiosity and a passion for learning

Innovative mindset, comfortable designing solutions when standard tools don’t exist

High attention to detail and craftsmanship

Strong organizational and interpersonal skills

Desired Qualifications

10+ years in a similar role

Experience operating and supporting multi-axis CNC machines for shafts, turbine runners, fixtures, tooling etc.

Proficiency in TIG and MIG welding, preferably with stainless steel, aluminum, and carbon steel

Experience fabricating, repairing, and finishing fiberglass components using molds, hand layup, vacuum bagging, resin systems, and composite bonding techniques

Experience assembling high-precision rotating machinery

Experience working alongside R&D teams in iterative development environments

Experience working on marine or offshore machinery

Experience working on subsea bearings, or hydrodynamic bearings, or hydrostatic bearings

Experience working on laser cutting and laser welding processes

Experience with instrumentation and controls (pressure transducers, thermocouples, RTDs, etc.)

Familiarity with NX/Teamcenter

Familiarity with materials and coatings for submerged or corrosive environments

Familiarity with magnetic components and magnet safety

Basic understanding of hydro turbines and electrical machines (stators, windings, insulation systems)

The above qualifications are desired, not required. We encourage you to apply if you are a strong candidate with only some of the desired skills and experience listed.

Additional Requirements

Travel to vendors and test sites as needed

Intermittently able to work longer hours and weekends to support critical needs. While we expect a lot of each other, we also offer a high degree of autonomy and work-life balance, including flexiblePTO and flexible working hours.

Compensation and Benefits

If hired for this full-time role, you will receive:

Cash compensation of $45-55/hour.

Equity in the company. We’re all owners and if we’re successful, this equity should be far and away the most valuable component of your compensation.

A benefits package that helps you take care of yourself and your family, including:

Flexible paid time off

Health insurance (the company pays 100% of gold-level PPO plan for full-time employees, their partners, and dependents)

Dental insurance (the company pays 100% for full-time employees, their partners, and dependents)

Vision insurance (the company pays 100% for full-time employees, their partners, and dependents)

Disability insurance (the company pays 100% for a policy to provide long-term financial support if you become disabled)

Ability to contribute to tax-advantaged accounts, including 401(k), health FSA, and dependent care FSA

Relocation assistance to facilitate your move to Portland (if needed).

Location

This is an on-site position. Our offices, lab, and shop are located in Portland, Oregon.

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