Prototype Fabricator at Observable

Detroit, Michigan, United States

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Not SpecifiedCompensation

Mid-level (3 to 4 years)Experience Level

Full TimeJob Type

UnknownVisa

Aerospace, Space TechnologyIndustries

Requirements

5+ years of hands-on experience in a fabrication or prototyping shop environment
Intermediate experience with CAM software such as Fusion 360 CAM, SolidWorks CAM, Onshape CAM, or FeatureCAM
Proficient with modern CNC machine operations and part inspection
Working knowledge of SolidWorks (or similar CAD tools)
Ability to interpret and execute mechanical drawings and GD&T
Familiarity with common materials (aluminum, titanium, stainless steel, plastics, etc.) and their machining characteristics
Comfortable with non-standard hours, including occasional late-night or weekend requests
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with additive manufacturing (especially metal 3D printing or hybrid machines)
Deep knowledge of multi-axis milling, fixturing, and workholding strategies
Experience building parts for aerospace, robotics, or optics applications
Familiarity with vacuum-compatible fabrication, TIG welding, or thermal test setups

Responsibilities

Operate a wide range of fabrication tools including 5-axis CNC mills and lathes, metal 3D printers, tube and flat-bed lasers, waterjets, presses, and high-precision manual tools
Prepare CAM programs in Mastercam, Fusion 360, or similar tools
Work from SolidWorks models and technical drawings to produce high-tolerance parts
Collaborate closely with engineering teams to iterate on part designs in real time
Help develop custom fixturing, jigs, and one-off assemblies for rapid prototyping
Assist in maintaining, upgrading, and tuning machines and shop infrastructure
Participate in design for manufacturability (DFM) reviews and provide direct feedback to engineers
Occasionally assist with integration or test setups when needed

Skills

Key technologies and capabilities for this role

5-axis CNC millsCNC lathesMetal 3D printersTube lasersFlat-bed lasersWaterjetsPressesMastercamFusion 360SolidWorksCAM programmingTechnical drawings

Questions & Answers

Common questions about this position

Is this position remote or onsite?

This is an onsite position at the Detroit-based prototyping facility.

What are the basic qualifications for this role?

Candidates need 5+ years of hands-on experience in fabrication or prototyping, intermediate CAM software experience like Fusion 360 or SolidWorks CAM, proficiency with CNC operations and inspection, SolidWorks knowledge, ability to interpret mechanical drawings and GD&T, and familiarity with common materials.

What is the salary or compensation for this role?

This information is not specified in the job description.

What is the work schedule like for this position?

The role requires being 'on call' for urgent parts day or night as needed, but offers an extremely flexible day-to-day schedule with lighter periods or ad-hoc time off when possible.

What kind of candidate thrives in this role?

A highly adaptable, technically-minded individual who thrives in fast-paced environments and is comfortable with non-standard hours is ideal.

Observable

Collaborative platform for data visualization

About Observable

Observable provides a platform for data visualization and analytics, allowing users to create, share, and explore data through interactive notebooks. These notebooks are web-based documents that integrate code, data, and visualizations, enabling real-time data manipulation. The platform caters to data scientists, analysts, developers, and educators, making it especially beneficial for academic settings. Users can utilize various templates and examples to enhance their data visualization skills. Observable operates on a freemium model, offering basic features for free while charging for advanced features and services, which appeal to businesses and professional teams. The company also fosters a supportive community through forums and a Slack channel, encouraging collaboration and knowledge sharing among users.

San Francisco, CaliforniaHeadquarters

2017Year Founded

$44.8MTotal Funding

SERIES_BCompany Stage

Data & Analytics, Consumer Software, EducationIndustries

11-50Employees

Risks

Freemium model faces competition from robust free features of Google Data Studio and Power BI.

Observable Cloud may face adoption hurdles if users resist migrating from current setups.

Pressure from investors for rapid growth may lead to strategic shifts alienating users.

Differentiation

Observable allows developers to build custom dashboards using code, unlike legacy BI tools.

The platform offers live, collaborative notebooks for real-time data exploration and iteration.

Observable's open-source framework supports any language or library for instant data app creation.

Upsides

Integration with AI-driven tools enhances insights generation and data interpretation capabilities.

The rise of low-code platforms could expand Observable's user base beyond developers.

Increasing demand for real-time analytics in finance and healthcare presents new opportunities.

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