Department
Engineering
Type
Full-Time
Location
Bay Area / On-Site
We're hiring a Fabrication Technician to build and repair structural and composite components for our 15ft and 35ft autonomous vessels. This role is fabrication-heavy — welding, fiberglass repair, and manual machining are core to the job, not bonus skills. You'll be the person turning raw stock and damaged parts into finished, field-ready hardware, reporting to the R&D Technician Manager.
Responsibilities
- Weld and fabricate structural brackets, mounts, and repair parts (MIG/TIG).
- Perform fiberglass repair and composite layup work on hull and structural components.
- Operate manual machine shop tools (lathe, mill, drill press, band saw, grinder) to fabricate or modify parts.
- Read and work from sketches, drawings, or sample parts to produce accurate components.
- Repair damaged hulls, brackets, and structural elements from field testing and sea trials.
- Maintain shop tools, jigs, and fixtures; keep the fab shop organized and safe.
- Support engineers with test fit-ups, measurements, and rapid iteration on part designs.
- Assist with vessel prep for water tests as needed.
Requirements
- Hands-on welding experience (MIG/TIG) — structural or repair work.
- Fiberglass/composite repair experience.
- Comfortable running manual machine tools (lathe, mill, drill press, grinder).
- Background in body shop, auto/marine repair, fabrication shop, or similar hands-on trade.
- Able to read basic drawings, sketches, or work from sample parts.
- Able to lift and handle 40–60 lbs regularly.
- Strong work ethic, reliability, and willingness to learn.
- This role may involve access to technology and technical data controlled under U.S. export-control laws (ITAR/EAR). You must be able to meet applicable U.S. export-control requirements, which may include qualifying as a "U.S. person" (U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or other protected individual).
Nice to Have
- Marine, automotive collision/body shop, or aerospace fabrication background.
- CNC or CAD-to-part machining experience.
- Hydraulic systems experience.
- Startup, R&D lab, or prototyping shop experience.
This role is for you if
- ✓You love tools, fabrication, and hands-on work.
- ✓You get satisfaction from making things real.
- ✓You thrive in fast-paced hardware environments.
- ✓You want to work on something that will be in the water in weeks, not years.
- ✓You want to directly support autonomy, defense, and real-world operations.
Ready to build what matters?
Fill out our application form to apply for our open roles at Bulwark Dynamics.