NPI Process Development Technician -- Advanced Fabrication

Job Description

Job Description

The Opportunity

Step onto Hadrian’s FX factory floor and help turn brand-new machines into reliable production assets. As an NPI Process Development Technician, you’ll commission equipment, refine fabrication processes, and validate methods that will later scale to steady-state manufacturing. We welcome candidates across experience levels—from early-career builders to veteran NPI technicians.

A Day in the Life

Your day might begin by bringing a newly delivered system online, proceed to iterating laser parameters with a manufacturing engineer, and wrap with documenting a proven sequence so production can replicate it. In between, you’ll jump between laser cutting, resistance welding, hand soldering, water jet operation, and general assembly—wherever the next milestone needs a hands-on push.

Core Impact

• Introduce and mature new capabilities at the FX site across laser cutting, resistance/spot welding, hand soldering, water jet operation, and assembly.
• Commission, operate, and troubleshoot new equipment as it lands on the floor—driving it from delivery to dependable use.
• Co-develop processes with process and manufacturing engineers for rapid NPI builds.
• Record setups, parameters, and lessons learned to enable a clean handoff to production teams.
• Cross-train across capabilities and support team growth as FX’s R&D group consolidates and scales.

What You Bring

• Hands-on skill in at least one: laser cutting, resistance/spot welding, hand soldering, or water jet operation.
• Comfort operating in a fast-moving R&D or NPI setting where processes evolve quickly and ambiguity is the norm.
• Strong troubleshooting instincts and a builder’s mindset on the shop floor.
• Clear, thorough documentation of setup steps and process parameters for others to follow.
• Willingness to learn adjacent tools and processes as capability needs shift.

What Sets You Apart

• R&D experience at SpaceX or similar high-velocity NPI organizations (e.g., Starship), including hand laser welding, spot welding, laser cutting, or robot operations.
• Ability to support several programs concurrently and pivot with changing priorities.
• Comfort with hand-held laser welders and general assembly work alongside core cutting/joining processes.
• A track record of mentoring peers and helping less experienced technicians ramp on new equipment.