Mechanical Technician

Senior Prototype Technician (L4)

Fresh Consulting is hiring a Senior Prototype Technician (L4) to own prototype builds from build plan to working hardware. You'll lead build teams, run complex fabrication-heavy builds where specs are still changing, and grow our junior technicians.

This role suits a hands-on fabricator who has built high-precision prototypes or validation hardware, in aerospace, defense or product development, and has led teams under pressure. You'll work alongside mechanical, electrical and firmware engineers, help shape designs through review, and consult directly with clients. You'll build as much as you lead.

The position starts as a contract position to verify with both sides that this is a good long-term fit.

Builds And Technical Work

• Own build plans, incorporating feedback from the project team.
• Execute complex prototype builds where specifications may be incomplete or evolving.
• Fabricate precision parts and assemblies using CNC machining, CNC waterjet or plasma, MIG and TIG welding, composites and structural fabrication.
• Interpret CAD models, engineering drawings and GD&T callouts, and hold build tolerances.
• Design and build prototypes, fixtures and back panel layouts.
• Take concepts from the first sketch through iterated, functional prototypes.
• Apply advanced troubleshooting across mechanical, electrical and electromechanical systems.
• Give useful feedback in design reviews, especially on manufacturability.

Leadership And Team

• Lead build teams, delegate work and ensure project quality.
• Lead lab and shop projects and day-to-day team operations.
• Grow junior talent and guide technical excellence.
• Train others on shop equipment.
• Enforce safety standards in the lab and shop.
• Improve manufacturing processes and mentor others in them.
• Give peer input during the Fresh review cycle.

Collaboration And Consulting

• Support cross-discipline collaboration and project estimation.
• Manage up to improve communication between the team and its leads.
• Deepen your client and team consulting capabilities.
• Seek out mentoring and build rapport across the hardware team.

What You Bring

You're a seasoned fabricator with strong mechanical skills and real experience leading people. That means you can:

• Complete builds independently from engineering data packages, build books and drawings, and draft build plans.
• Run CNC equipment (mill, waterjet or plasma) and weld with MIG and TIG processes.
• Work with metals and composites, choosing materials and processes for strength and manufacturability.
• Read blueprints and GD&T, and navigate SolidWorks, CATIA, Fusion 360 or similar CAD to view, markup and pull build information.
• Hold tight dimensional tolerances on assemblies, using measurement and inspection tools.
• Run 3D printers and other prototyping equipment.
• Perform verification and validation (V&V) procedures.
• Lead BoM tracking, procurement, inventory and build kitting with engineers.
• Manage vendors and self-manage your tasks and quality.
• Support quoting and estimates.
• Lead and train teams and make sound decisions under time pressure.
• Document build notes, issues and as-built deviations, and write clear summaries and reports.
• Use MS Office or similar apps.
• Bring solutions along with problems and know when to reach out for support.
• Have basic electronics skills (soldering, cable and harness building, reading schematics, using multimeters and oscilloscopes), or be ready to build them quickly with team support.

Nice to have:

• Experience in aerospace, defense or other high-precision prototype environments.
• Welding certification and OSHA safety training.
• Military or similar leadership experience.
• A record of inventing or developing products from concept through prototype.
• Experience mentoring or training other technicians.
• Exposure to robotics, mechatronics or non-destructive testing (NDT).

Physical Requirements And Work Environment

• Comfortably lift 50 lbs.
• Work on your feet for 10-hour days, 5 days a week, on a regular basis.
• Take on "dirty" shop work such as scraping, painting and grinding.
• Complete shop safety and equipment training, use PPE, and follow lockout and safe-operation procedures.

Most of the work happens in a prototype lab and machine shop with power tools, fabrication equipment and test benches.

Growth Mindset

We look for technicians who seek out new tasks and skills and adapt quickly when the work changes. At this level you'll also seek mentors for yourself while mentoring others.

For a Washington-State-based role, the salary hiring range for this position is $35/hr to $55/hr. Compensation offered will be determined by factors such as location, level, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Equal employment opportunity: All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, familial status, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability for which a reasonable accommodation can be made, or any other status protected by law. Assistance will be gladly provided upon request for any applicant with sensory or non-sensory disabilities.

*Fresh Consulting is a participating E-Verify company.