Model Maker

ALTEN Technology•Foster City, CA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

ALTEN Technology USA is an engineering company that partners with clients across industries including aerospace, medical devices, robotics, automotive, commercial vehicles, EVs, and rail. The Model Maker will turn engineering and design intent into high-fidelity physical prototypes and appearance models for autonomous vehicle programs. The role is additive-manufacturing-led and involves operating and optimizing SLA, SLS, FDM, and PolyJet platforms, then finishing, assembling, and integrating parts into models that meet requestors’ learning objectives. The position is hands-on and involves close collaboration with engineers, designers, and the XOPS Prototype Fabrication team to turn experimental concepts into physical parts with strong lead times, quality, and cost performance. The position is on-site five days per week in Foster City, California. The listed salary range is $85,000–$100,000, with the actual offer dependent on factors such as location and job-related knowledge, qualifications, skills, education, training, and experience. ALTEN describes mentorship, career growth opportunities, comprehensive benefits, and a supportive workplace culture. Candidates selected for employment must successfully complete a pre-employment drug screening. ALTEN USA is an equal opportunity employer and federal contractor.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, industrial design, or a related field, or equivalent hands-on experience.
2–5 years of hands-on additive manufacturing, model making, or prototype fabrication experience.
Working knowledge of SLA, SLS, FDM, and PolyJet processes and materials, including tradeoffs among speed, strength, and finish.
Experience with build-preparation or slicing software such as GrabCAD Print, Materialise Magics, Autodesk Fusion AM build extensions, or similar.
Ability to read and navigate CAD in SolidWorks, CATIA, or similar, as well as drawings and GD&T callouts.
Proficiency with precision measurement tools.
Hands-on finishing skills, including sanding, priming, painting, bonding, and assembly.
Ability to manage an independent work queue, work with light supervision, and communicate clearly with engineers and designers.

Nice To Haves

Experience with surfacing or CAD authorship for printable parts and fixtures.
Experience with paint matching, surface texturing, or appearance and ergonomic models.
Experience with other prototyping methods, such as CNC operation, laser cutting, MIG/TIG welding, foam, wood, urethane, or clay modeling.
Experience with OSHA-compliant shop practices or hazardous-material handling.

Responsibilities

Prepare, nest, slice, and run builds on SLA, SLS, FDM, and PolyJet platforms; select processes and materials based on part requirements, monitor builds, and resolve issues such as warping, adhesion, and supports.
Review CAD models for printability and failure risks, make and document minor geometry changes, and raise drawing ambiguities early.
Perform post-processing and finishing, including support removal, sanding, priming, painting, dyeing, and inserts.
Assemble high-fidelity prototypes and appearance models, integrating printed parts with CNC-machined, laser-cut, and purchased components and electronics.
Verify part accuracy with calipers, micrometers, and other precision measurement tools; use drawings, GD&T, and finish callouts to build and inspect parts.
Manage the JIRA request queue, sequence builds to meet deadlines, communicate status, and flag risks early.
Perform routine maintenance and first-line troubleshooting on additive equipment, and coordinate vendor service when needed.
Contribute to build-parameter and finishing documentation, follow lab safety and material-handling protocols, and collaborate with CNC, Welding, and other Prototype Fabrication disciplines.