Prototype Researcher

Job description

Orbital Industries is an AI Industrial company, with frontier AI embedded at every step in the production of critical physical products - from creating advanced materials to engineering and manufacturing. Every Orbital Industries product is developed using CurieOS, our AI operating system, uniting AI-automated hardware engineering with AI-designed material science to achieve breakthrough real-world performance. We also offer CurieOS to our customers and partners, extending the same platform and workflows that power Orbital Industries to their own teams and products. We have an ambitious mission and need excellent people in all our teams - AI research, operations, advanced materials, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering and manufacturing. Working at Orbital Industries means working in vertically integrated teams across the full stack, from molecules to manufacturing. We're looking for people who have a love of physical technology, curiosity in AI and a desire to learn. ROLE OVERVIEW You'll be the hands that turn our designs into working hardware — running the workshop, building the test rigs, and getting them commissioned and into service. You'll own the mechanical build of our next-generation Direct-to-Chip platforms from bare frame to first test. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Workshop and Machine Operation - Run and maintain our 3D printers, CNC machine and workshop tooling - Digital Fabrication - create and review CAD models. Produce parts, jigs and test fixtures to drawing - Manage tooling, consumables and machine servicing Rig Build and Commissioning - Lead the mechanical build of our upcoming Direct-to-Chip testing and validation rigs - Support commissioning — leak checks, function testing, fault-finding, and generic troubleshooting - Deliver mechanical and electrical modifications to existing rigs as needed Mechanical and Electrical Assembly - Comfort with low voltage wiring - build control panels and instrumentation to schematic - High degree of mechanical aptitude - Assemble mechanical sub-systems to specification and tolerance - Function test completed builds and document the results Rig Operation and Procurement - Take over day-to-day mechanical operation of test rigs - Set up, run and reset test configurations for each campaign. Review data and recommend iterative improvements - Source and order rig components, managing suppliers and lead times WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR - Hands-on experience running 3D printers, CNC machines and workshop tooling - Comfortable across both mechanical assembly and electrical build work - A background in prototype, R&D or low-volume build environments - Practical problem-solver who diagnoses and fixes rather than waits - Experience with fluid systems or test instrumentation is a strong plus WHY JOIN ORBITAL? - Competitive salary and equity package - the ability to own part of Orbital as we grow - Flexible and generous paid time off - Excellent health, dental and vision insurance plan - Regular company offsites - The experience of working in a cutting-edge organisation dedicated to a better future Orbital is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.