Lead Forger – California Operations

Riverside, United States | Posted on 08/13/2025

Glīd Technologies is transforming first-mile logistics with autonomous road-to-rail vehicles, AI-powered logistics platforms, and human-centered workforce strategies. Our products — Glider

M , EZRA-1

SIX , and Rāden — move goods cleaner, faster, and smarter while creating economic opportunities in the communities we serve. Founded by a U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force veteran with Space

X experience, Glīd is led by a team with deep technical and operational expertise from industry leaders including Bombardier, Google, and other world-class organizations. We combine a mission-driven mindset with relentless innovation to deliver solutions that ben efit both industry and people.

The Lead Forger is Glīd’s advanced metalcraft specialist — an expert fabricator, machinist, and CNC programmer who can take rough sketches to production-ready parts and fixtures. You’ll build frames, brackets, mounts, and precision components; design and fabricate jigs/fixtures; and partner tightly with engineering to prototype, iterate, and improve manufacturability. This is a shop-first role (not a driver position).

Precision Fabrication & Welding:
Perform TIG/MIG (steel, stainless, aluminum); fit-up, tacking, final welds; structural and sheet assemblies.

Machine Shop & CNC Programming:
Set up/run CNC mills and lathes; write/modify G-code; program toolpaths in CAM (e.g., Fusion 360/Mastercam); hold tight tolerances.

Tooling, Jigs & Fixtures:
Design and fabricate fixtures for repeatability and safety; build assembly aides and welding jigs.

CAD/CAM & DFM:
Interpret drawings and 3D models; provide feedback on manufacturability; create simple models/sketches when needed.

Metrology & QA:
Use calipers, micrometers, height gauges, surface plates; verify GD&T callouts; document inspections.

Materials & Processes:
Work across bar, plate, tube, and sheet; basic heat-treat/straightening; finishing (deburr, grind, passivate/coat coordination).

Shop Leadership:
Maintain 5S standards; schedule preventive maintenance; manage consumables and stock; help define SOPs and safety practices.

Prototype to Production:
Rapidly iterate early parts; transition to stable processes and traveler/route documentation.

Collaboration:

Partner with engineers and integration techs on vehicle assemblies; incorporate test feedback into next-rev parts.

7+ years professional experience in metal fabrication and machining or equivalent combination of trade school + experience.

Expert TIG/MIG welding across ferrous and non-ferrous materials; strong fit-up and distortion control.

Proficient in CNC mill/lathe setup and CAM programming (Fusion 360/Mastercam or similar).

Fluent in blueprint reading and GD&T ; understands stack-ups and datum schemes.

Hands-on with manual mills/lathes, press brake, shear, band saw, drill press, grinders.

Strong safety mindset (OSHA practices, LOTO, guarded setups, proper PPE).

Clear communicator; able to mentor junior fabricators and collaborate with engineers.

Experience in vehicle, robotics, or mobility assemblies (frames, brackets, drivetrain mounts).

Tube bending/rolling; CNC plasma/laser/waterjet workflow.

Familiarity with AWS D1.1/D17.1 test standards (formal certs a plus).

Basic NDT (dye penetrant) exposure; crane/forklift certifications.

ERP/MRP familiarity (BOMs, travelers, routings).

Primary:
Riverside shop (day shift), occasional OT during build pushes.

Travel:
Limited (