Prototype Model Making Lead

About this role

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.

ABOUT THE TEAM

The Model Shop is a new in-house capability that partners with Design, Engineering, and business stakeholders to turn digital concepts into full-scale, presentation-quality physical models. These models help teams communicate design intent, evaluate physical form, and showcase Anduril products to customers and other stakeholders. By bringing this capability in house, the team will improve speed, iteration, craftsmanship, and control while reducing significant reliance on external vendors.

ABOUT THE JOB

We are looking for a hands-on Prototype Model Making Lead to help establish and operate Anduril’s Model Shop. You will plan and execute hard-model builds from concept through final presentation, combining metal fabrication, manual machining, composites, woodworking, bodywork, surfacing, and paint. This is not a narrow welding, machining, or production-supervision role. It requires broad fabrication fluency, exceptional finish judgment, and the ability to choose the right materials and processes for each build.

As the first technical lead in this capability, you will also help define shop standards, mentor future model makers, coordinate priorities, and build trusted partnerships with designers and engineers. The strongest candidate is an expert model maker who remains deeply hands-on and can deliver high-quality work in an ambiguous, fast-moving development environment.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• 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.

US Hourly Range $54.81 — $114,000 USD

The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerat

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