We're hiring a Fabrication Technician to build and repair structural and composite components for our 15ft and 35ft autonomous vessels. This role is fabrication-heavy - welding, fiberglass repair, and manual machining are core to the job, not bonus skills. You'll be the person turning raw stock and damaged parts into finished, field-ready hardware, reporting to the R&D Technician Manager.
Responsibilities
- Weld and fabricate structural brackets, mounts, and repair parts (MIG/TIG).
- Perform fiberglass repair and composite layup work on hull and structural components.
- Operate manual machine shop tools (lathe, mill, drill press, band saw, grinder) to fabricate or modify parts.
- Read and work from sketches, drawings, or sample parts to produce accurate components.
- Repair damaged hulls, brackets, and structural elements from field testing and sea trials.
- Maintain shop tools, jigs, and fixtures; keep the fab shop organized and safe.
- Support engineers with test fit-ups, measurements, and rapid iteration on part designs.
- Assist with vessel prep for water tests as needed.
Requirements
- Hands-on welding experience (MIG/TIG) - structural or repair work.
- Fiberglass/composite repair experience.
- Comfortable running manual machine tools (lathe, mill, drill press, grinder).
- Background in body shop, auto/marine repair, fabrication shop, or similar hands-on trade.
- Able to read basic drawings, sketches, or work from sample parts.
- Able to lift and handle 40–60 lbs regularly.
- Strong work ethic, reliability, and willingness to learn.
- This role may involve access to technology and technical data controlled under U.S. export-control laws (ITAR/EAR). You must be able to meet applicable U.S. export-control requirements, which may include qualifying as a "U.S. person" (U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or other protected individual).
Nice to Have
- Marine, automotive collision/body shop, or aerospace fabrication background.
- CNC or CAD-to-part machining experience.
- Hydraulic systems experience.
- Startup, R&D lab, or prototyping shop experience.
This role is for you if
- ✓You love tools, fabrication, and hands-on work.
- ✓You get satisfaction from making things real.
- ✓You thrive in fast-paced hardware environments.
- ✓You want to work on something that will be in the water in weeks, not years.
- ✓You want to directly support autonomy, defense, and real-world operations.
Compensation & Benefits
- Pay: $40 – $70 per hour, depending on experience.
- Equity: early-stage stock options.
- Benefits: employer-sponsored health, dental, and vision coverage.
The range above reflects the anticipated base pay for this role. Actual compensation will depend on your experience, qualifications, skills, and work location, and does not include equity or benefits. This posting complies with applicable state and local pay-transparency requirements.
Equal Opportunity & Background Checks
Bulwark Dynamics is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business need. We will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in a manner consistent with applicable law.
Employment is contingent on the satisfactory completion of a background check. By submitting an application, you acknowledge and agree that, if you receive a conditional offer, Bulwark Dynamics may conduct a background check in accordance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and applicable federal, state, and local laws. Any such check will be conducted only after separate written disclosure and with your prior written authorization, which will be requested at the offer stage.
