Model Maker - Industrial Design

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The Model Maker is the sole owner and operator of Generac’s Industrial Design Model Shop at the Eagle facility, responsible for delivering high-quality physical prototypes that translate design intent into tangible form. This role independently plans and executes full fidelity models across Generac’s product portfolio—from consumer smart home products to large scale industrial systems—owning fabrication, finishing, and presentation readiness end to end. The position operates with a high degree of autonomy and serves as a critical bridge between industrial design vision and product reality.

Job Duties:

Prototype Fabrication & Manufacturing

• Own the end-to-end fabrication of physical prototypes, from build planning through presentation-ready finishing, across consumer, commercial, and industrial product categories.
• Independently plan and execute complex builds combining additive manufacturing, CNC machining, laser cutting, hand fabrication, and finishing processes.
• ·Operate and maintain in-house additive manufacturing platforms, including multi-material and full-color systems, from file preparation through post-processing. ·
• Execute CNC machining and laser cutting operations, including setup, fixturing, safe operation, and secondary finishing.
• Deliver automotive-grade paint and surface finishes suitable for executive and stakeholder design reviews.

Design Interpretation & Technical Execution

• Interpret CAD data, sketches, and verbal design direction to determine build strategy, materials, and sequencing.

Project Management & Communication

• Manage concurrent prototype projects, setting priorities, estimating timelines, and proactively communicating risks or constraints.
• Present finished models in design reviews and articulate build decisions, materials, and finish tradeoffs.

Shop Operations, Maintenance & Safety

• Maintain the model shop environment, including organization, equipment upkeep, consumables, and safety readiness.
• Manage shop operating budgets, including forecasting, tracking expenditures, and optimizing spending across materials, equipment, maintenance, and vendor services
• Own procurement and inventory management for shop materials, tooling, equipment, and consumables to ensure uninterrupted prototype development.

Minimum Job Requirements

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design, Mechanical Technology, Model Making, Fine Arts/Crafts, or Equivalent

Work Experience Work Experience

• Minimum of 10+ of hands-on experience in model making, prototype fabrication, or industrial design model shop environments
• Portfolio or documented work examples demonstrating physical prototypes across materials, fidelity levels, and finish quality.

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities ·

• Basic CAD file manipulation experience (Creo, SolidWorks, Rhino, or equivalent).
• Ability to independently translate design intent into high-quality physical models with minimal supervision.
• Skilled in surface preparation, paint application, and finishing to presentation-quality standards.
• Effective problem-solving skills when addressing fabrication challenges, material or equipment limitations

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear; and use hands to manipulate objects or controls. The employee is regularly required to stand and walk. On occasion, the incumbent may be required to stoop, bend, or reach above the shoulders. The employee must occasionally lift up to 25 pounds. Specific conditions of this job are typical of frequent and continuous computer-based work requiring periods of sitting, close vision, and the ability to adjust focus. Occasional travel.

“We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.”