Senior Prototype Engineer

About the Company

We are a renewable energy and ocean technology company committed to rapidly developing and deploying technologies that will ensure a sustainable future for Earth by unlocking the vast energy potential of its oceans. Our focus is on capturing civilizational levels of ultra-low-cost renewable energy for applications including computing and affordable renewable fuels delivered to shore. Our core technology is the node, a device that produces energy in the ocean’s harshest conditions for years at a time without human maintenance or intervention.

The company is a public benefit corporation headquartered in Portland, Oregon, and backed by leading venture capitalists, philanthropic investors, university endowments, and private investment offices. We operate as an idea meritocracy in which the best ideas change the company’s direction on a regular basis.

About the Job

We are building hardware that has to survive real ocean conditions. That means constant prototyping, welding, fabrication, and iteration. Our shop is not a support function, it is central to the company’s success. As a Senior Prototype Engineer, Welding, you will design and build prototype and flight hardware, develop fixturing and production processes, and help shape the long-term capabilities of our shop.

You will work side-by-side with engineers and machinists to turn concepts into hardware quickly and correctly. You will own weldments and assemblies from drawing to finished part, provide direct DFM feedback to design engineers, and help ensure the shop runs safely and efficiently. Good work in this role looks like strong hardware, clean welds, practical fixtures, clear documentation, and a shop that gets better every month.

Responsibilities

• Design and manufacture prototype and production hardware using welding, machining, CAD, and additive processes
• Fabricate and weld structural assemblies from engineering drawings
• Develop and document production processes, work instructions, and shop capabilities
• Provide direct DFM feedback to design engineers to improve manufacturability and cost
• Design and build fixturing to support repeatable fabrication and assembly
• Maintain shop organization, tooling systems, and equipment readiness
• Enforce and model a strong safety culture in daily work
• Order supplies and equipment; research tools, materials, and techniques to improve shop performance
• Create and maintain documentation systems using standard office software
• Support other teams as needed, including facilities, logistics, and operations

Qualifications 

Required

• 5+ years of professional welding and fabrication experience
• Degree in Welding Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or equivalent hands-on experience
• Demonstrated experience with bending and sheet metal fabrication
• Professional CAD experience (NX preferred)
• Ability to read and interpret weldment drawings and engineering documentation
• Demonstrated hands-on experience welding using FCAW processes
• Experience with non-destructive evaluation methods, preferably ultrasonic testing (UT)
• Experience working across a wide range of manufacturing processes and materials
• Ability to follow instructions precisely and push back when instructions are incomplete or incorrect
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Self-directed work ethic with the ability to operate independently
• Demonstrated drive for continuous improvement in tools, processes, and organization
• Proficiency with standard computer software (word processors, spreadsheets)
• Comfortable using a computer for documentation, communication, research, and basic data management tasks

Desired

• Experience building hardware for harsh environments such as marine, aerospace, or heavy industrial systems
• Experience developing new shop layouts or scaling fabrication capabilities in a growing organization

The above qualifications are desired, not required. We encourage you to apply if you are a strong candidate with only some of the desired skills and experience listed.

Additional Requirements

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to stand for extended periods (up to 8-hours per day) and occasionally lift 50 pounds or more
• Comfortable working at height (ladders and platforms) and in confined spaces with appropriate safety equipment and training
• Willingness to support other teams across the company when needed
• Must be authorized to work in the United States.

Deployment & Travel

The ability to support occasional deployment or field assignments of up to two weeks at a time, one to two times per year. While this is not a deal-breaker, candidates should be open to periodic travel or on-site work as needed for operational support.

Compensation and Benefits

If hired for this full-time role, you will receive:

• Cash compensation of $100,000 - $175,000
• Equity in the company. We’re all owners and if we’re successful, this equity should be far and away the most valuable component of your compensation.
• A benefits package that helps you take care of yourself and your family, including:
  • Flexible paid time off
  • Health insurance (the company pays 100% of gold level PPO plan for full time employees, their partners, and dependents)
  • Dental insurance (the company pays 100% for full time employees and 100% for their partners and dependents)
  • Vision insurance (the company pays 100% for full time employees, their partners, and dependents)
  • Disability insurance (the company pays 100% for a policy to provide long term financial support if you become disabled)
  • Ability to contribute to tax-advantaged accounts, including 401(k), health FSA, and dependent care FSA
• Relocation assistance to facilitate your move to Portland (if needed).

Location

This is an on-site position. Our offices, lab, and shop are located in Portland, Oregon. This position requires daily on-site work.