Prototype Fabricator

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.

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.

• 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
• 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

• 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…