Prototype Laser & Sheet Metal Tech

About the Team

The Manufacturing Development Team supports rapid hardware development across Anduril’s defense product portfolio, including static equipment, ground systems, flight vehicles, test articles, and production-intent development hardware.

This team works closely with engineering, fabrication, machining, and manufacturing teams to turn designs into physical hardware quickly. The team’s scope includes sheet metal processing, laser cutting, press brake operations, fabrication support, engineering design feedback, and manufacturing process development.

About the Job

Anduril is looking for a Dev Laser Operator to join our team in Costa Mesa, CA. In this role, you will operate and support sheet metal processing equipment, with a focus on AMADA ENSIS Fiber Lasers, AMADA CNC press brakes, CAM software, and related fabrication equipment.

This is a hands-on manufacturing development role for someone with deep laser cutting and sheet metal processing experience. You will support prototype and R&D hardware builds, process sheet metal parts, troubleshoot equipment issues, maintain fabrication equipment, perform quality checks, and help teams move quickly from design intent to finished hardware.

The right candidate should be comfortable working in a fast-moving R&D shop environment where designs, priorities, and build requirements may change quickly. This role requires strong technical judgment, equipment fluency, and the ability to produce accurate parts while maintaining safety and quality standards.

Your Impact

• Support rapid development of defense hardware by processing sheet metal parts for prototype and development builds.
• Operate and maintain AMADA ENSIS Fiber Laser equipment to keep fabrication work moving efficiently.
• Improve part quality, equipment readiness, and shop throughput through strong setup, troubleshooting, and process discipline.
• Partner with engineering and fabrication teams to support build execution, manufacturability, and design iteration.
• Help strengthen Anduril’s internal sheet metal processing capability as product development scales.

What You’ll Do

• Process sheet metal parts using AMADA ENSIS Fiber Lasers, CNC press brakes, CAM software, and related fabrication equipment.
• Set up, program, operate, and troubleshoot laser cutting and press brake jobs, including cut conditions, tooling, bend sequencing, and process parameters.
• Interpret blueprints, technical drawings, CAD outputs, work instructions, material specifications, and part geometry before processing work.
• Perform quality checks on completed parts, including dimensional accuracy, edge quality, bend accuracy, fit, finish, and conformance to drawing requirements.
• Support routine maintenance, equipment readiness, installation, setup, and process development for laser, press brake, and related fabrication equipment.
• Work through prototype and R&D sheet metal tasks where designs, drawings, priorities, or build requirements may evolve during execution.
• Partner with engineers, fabricators, machinists, and shop leaders to resolve sheet metal, fabrication, equipment, and manufacturability issues while following OSHA and Anduril shop safety practices.

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years of sheet metal processing experience using AMADA ENSIS Fiber Laser equipment or comparable CNC fiber laser systems, including setup, operation, maintenance, troubleshooting, cut conditions, and process parameters.
• 3+ years of CNC press brake experience, including tooling setup, programming, operation, bend sequencing, and part-quality verification.
• Experience using CAM software such as SigmaNest, AMADA AP100, or similar tools to support laser cutting, nesting, sheet metal processing, and fabrication workflows.
• Experience reading and interpreting blueprints, engineering drawings, CAD outputs, work instructions, weld symbols, material specifications, tolerances, and sheet metal design requirements.
• Working knowledge of sheet metal materials, thicknesses, physical properties, forming behavior, cut quality, bend allowances, and processing considerations.
• 5+ years of metal fabrication experience in an R&D, prototype, aerospace, automotive, motorsports, defense, manufacturing, or similar hands-on hardware environment.
• Experience working on prototype, low-volume, custom, or development hardware where designs, drawings, priorities, or build requirements may evolve during execution.
• Ability to perform quality checks on processed parts using appropriate inspection methods and tools, and ability to work overtime or weekends as needed.
• Must be a U.S. Person due to required access to U.S. export controlled information or facilities

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with SolidWorks, NX, or similar CAD tools, especially related to sheet metal design, flat patterns, or manufacturability review.
• Experience using conventional machining equipment, including manual mills, manual lathes, drill presses, or related shop equipment.
• Waterjet operation experience and/or additional CNC machine operation or setup experience.
• Welding experience using GMAW and/or GTAW on steel, stainless steel, aluminum, exotic alloys, or similar materials.
• Experience with AC/DC electrical systems as they relate to equipment troubleshooting, maintenance, or shop-floor support.
• Experience with PEM hardware selection, installation, or application in sheet metal assemblies.
• Experience working directly with engineers, fabricators, machinists, or shop leaders to resolve sheet metal, fabrication, or manufacturability issues.
• Experience in aerospace, defense, automotive, motorsports, robotics, advanced manufacturing, or other hardware-intensive environments.