# Prototype Model Making Lead **Company**: Anduril Industries **Location**: Costa Mesa, California **Work arrangement**: onsite **Experience**: senior **Job type**: full-time **Salary**: $54.81-$114,000 USD **Category**: Manufacturing **Industry**: Defense **Apply**: https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/andurilindustries/jobs/5191629007?utm_source=yubhub.co&utm_medium=jobs_feed&utm_campaign=apply **Canonical**: https://yubhub.co/jobs/job_1ec7ae3e-7ac ## Description Anduril Industries is a defense technology company with a mission to transform U.S. and allied military capabilities with advanced technology. We are looking for a hands-on Prototype Model Making Lead to help establish and operate Anduril’s Model Shop. ## 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; cut, fit, form, machine, join, and finish components across multiple materials. - Apply broad working proficiency in welding, manual machining, sheet-metal fabrication, composites, plastics, wood, fillers, coatings, and paint to produce convincing, durable models. - Partner with Design and Engineering to clarify intent, surface manufacturability risks, propose alternatives, and preserve the visual and dimensional goals of each model. - Establish craftsmanship, safety, organization, documentation, and quality standards for a new model-making capability. - Coordinate concurrent requests, communicate capacity and schedule tradeoffs, and protect finish quality under changing priorities. - Mentor model makers and adjacent fabricators through demonstrations, feedback, and repeatable work practices. - Support shop equipment, material, vendor, and inventory decisions needed to deliver builds reliably. ## Required Qualifications - 8–10 years of extensive hands-on experience building physical hard models, appearance models, show models, concept models, or comparable high-finish prototypes from start to finish, with a proven track record of delivering high-quality outputs. - Demonstrated ability to integrate several fabrication disciplines,such as metal fabrication, welding, manual machining, composites, woodworking, plastics, surfacing, bodywork, and paint,within a single build. - Strong craftsmanship and exceptional finish judgment, supported by a portfolio or specific examples of work delivered to demanding visual and dimensional standards. - Proficient in interpreting CAD models, drawings, and renderings, with the ability to translate design intent into safe, practical build approaches. - 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. - A demonstrated commitment to strict safety standards and the responsible use of advanced fabrication equipment. - Ability to work onsite full-time in Costa Mesa, California. - Must be a U.S. Person due to required access to U.S. export-controlled information or facilities. ## Preferred Qualifications - Experience in automotive or transportation design studios, aerospace/defense, motorsports, industrial design, entertainment fabrication, or another high-end model/prototype environment. - 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. - Experience planning capacity and priorities across multiple time-sensitive builds. - Formal lead or supervisory experience in a highly hands-on technical environment. ## Skills ### Required - metal fabrication - welding - manual machining - composites - woodworking - plastics - surfacing - bodywork - paint ### Nice to have - 3D printing - fabrication processes - composites tooling - paint systems - vendor management --- Source: [Apply at job-boards.greenhouse.io](https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/andurilindustries/jobs/5191629007?utm_source=yubhub.co&utm_medium=jobs_feed&utm_campaign=apply)