Fabrication Technician

Mach Industries•Huntington Beach, CA

204d

About The Position

The Fabrication Technician plays a critical role in hands-on prototyping and advanced manufacturing, supporting a wide range of projects including custom test rig builds, structural aircraft modifications, and bespoke hardware for R&D efforts. This position demands precision welding, sheet metal fabrication, and machining expertise, particularly in aluminum, stainless steel, and titanium, as well as the ability to read and interpret technical drawings and CAD models. Candidates should bring a deep understanding of fabrication techniques, including basic CNC, waterjet operation, TIG welding, and general metalworking. Being comfortable adapting processes in a fast-moving, highly iterative environment is of utmost importance as well. Success in this role requires an eye for detail, a strong mechanical aptitude, and seamless collaboration with engineers and technicians across disciplines. The technician must be willing and available to work swing shifts to support critical development timelines.

Requirements

5+ years of hands-on fabrication experience in a fast-paced prototyping or production environment.
Proficiency in TIG welding, including work with aluminum, stainless steel, and carbon steel.
Experience with sheet metal fabrication, structural assembly, and mechanical integration.
Working knowledge of Flow Waterjet operation.
Ability to interpret technical drawings and follow precise fabrication instructions.
Familiarity with manual machining (mill, lathe, grinder) and general metalworking tools.
Strong attention to detail, safety-minded, and capable of working independently or in cross-functional teams.

Nice To Haves

Proficiency with CAD software (e.g., Siemens NX, SOLIDWORKS) for reviewing and interpreting part models and technical drawings.
Familiarity with machining principles, tolerancing, and GD&T.
Experience collaborating on prototype development, including iterative fabrication and design-for-manufacturing (DFM) feedback.
Exposure to aerospace, defense, or advanced R&D environments.
Understanding of inspection methods, including visual, dimensional, and NDT-prep processes.
Comfort working in cross-functional teams alongside engineers and technical leads.
Experience with one or more of the following: Stick welding and dual-shield welding. Press brake operation and programming. Fixture and part design. Woodworking.

Responsibilities

Fabricate vehicle components, structural assemblies, and custom test fixtures using TIG welding, sheet metal techniques, and general metalworking.
Perform high-quality welds (horizontal, vertical, and overhead) on aluminum, stainless steel, and carbon steel for both prototype and production applications.
Operate Flow Waterjet.
Interpret engineering drawings and technical documents to execute builds with minimal supervision and high accuracy.
Collaborate closely with engineers to execute prototype builds and provide actionable Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFMA) feedback.
Conduct structural and fluid system assembly, including routing and integration of tubes, brackets, and hardware.
Support dimensional checks, visual weld inspections, and preparation for NDT methods such as X-ray and dye penetrant when required.
Apply lean manufacturing practices and contribute to continuous improvement of fabrication processes and workflows.
Maintain and operate manual machines (mills, lathes, grinders) as needed to support custom fabrication work.
Take ownership of shop cleanliness, organization, and safety protocols.