Prototype Fabrication Manager

Anduril Industries is a defense technology company with a mission to transform U.S. and allied military capabilities with advanced technology. 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. Anduril’s family of systems is powered by Lattice OS, an AI-powered operating system that turns thousands of data streams into a realtime, 3D command and control center.

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.

The Dev Manufacturing Team is part of Anduril’s Mechanical Engineering organization and supports rapid hardware development across prototype fabrication, machining, composites, additive manufacturing, and manufacturing development.

This team helps convert early engineering concepts into physical hardware by partnering closely with design engineers, project leads, fabricators, machinists, and shop operations teams. The work spans prototype structures, welded assemblies, sheet metal parts, machined components, test articles, and production-intent development hardware.

Anduril is looking for a Prototype Fabrication Manager to join our team in Costa Mesa, CA. In this role, you will lead the prototype fabrication team responsible for building and modifying development hardware across Anduril’s product portfolio.

You will manage shop priorities, people, project flow, resources, safety, quality, and execution. This role requires someone who can understand technical drawings, identify build risks before work starts, prioritize competing requests, allocate team capacity, and partner with engineering to keep prototype hardware moving quickly without sacrificing safety or quality.

• Lead a skilled prototype fabrication team supporting fast-moving hardware programs.
• Improve shop throughput by creating clear prioritization, scheduling, and resource-allocation practices.
• Reduce build delays by identifying drawing, material, tolerance, weld, and manufacturability issues before work is delegated.
• Strengthen shop execution through consistent safety, quality, onboarding, and workflow standards.
• Partner with engineering and project stakeholders to support rapid development from concept through completed hardware.

• Manage a team of fabricators and machinists, including onboarding, training coordination, work assignment, performance management, and day-to-day team support.
• Define and apply criteria for Jira ticket prioritization, including due dates, shop capacity, personnel availability, material readiness, and product/program impact.
• Review drawings, models, files, and work instructions before delegating tasks, including material callouts, weld symbols, tolerances, specifications, and potential build risks.
• Delegate Jira tasks, monitor progress, and maintain schedules against project deadlines.
• Balance workload across the team, especially for high-priority or schedule-critical projects.
• Create and maintain the overall shop schedule.
• Engage in design reviews and coordinate with engineers and project leads to understand scope, technical requirements, and delivery priorities.
• Monitor quality, accuracy, and execution approach across assigned parts and projects.
• Manage raw material and consumable inventory, including welding gases, abrasives, fabrication supplies, and related shop resources.
• Enforce safety policies and procedures within the fabrication shop.
• Partner with EHS to evaluate unclear safety situations, identify hazards, and support corrective actions.
• Participate in interviews for new hires and help establish an effective onboarding/orientation process.
• Oversee manual machining operations for mill and lathe work in the fabrication area.
• Support decisions around shop improvements, tooling, equipment needs, and new equipment purchases.
• Maintain shop organization, cleanliness, safety, and readiness.

• 10+ years of experience in prototype fabrication,…