{"schemaVersion":"jobsearcher.job.v1","id":"7d4e699a7f1584be8ea30695","url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/7d4e699a7f1584be8ea30695","canonicalUrl":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/7d4e699a7f1584be8ea30695","title":"Prototype Researcher","description":"Orbital is an AI-first industrial company building hardware from the atoms up. Our goal is to lead an industrial renaissance to advance critical technologies and secure our planet for generations to come.\nWe’re starting with critical hardware for AI data centers to make them more performant and sustainable. Every Orbital product is invented with our AI platform — uniting AI-automated hardware engineering with AI-designed material science to achieve breakthrough real-world performance.\nWe have an ambitious mission and need excellent people in all our teams - AI research, operations, advanced materials, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering and manufacturing.\nWorking at Orbital means working in tightly integrated, vertically integrated teams. We’re looking for people who have a love of physical technology, curiosity in AI and a desire to learn.\nRole Overview\nYou'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.\n\nKey Responsibilities\nWorkshop and Machine Operation\nRun and maintain our 3D printers, CNC machine and workshop tooling\nDigital Fabrication - create and review CAD models. Produce parts, jigs and test fixtures to drawing\nManage tooling, consumables and machine servicing\nRig Build and Commissioning\nLead the mechanical build of our upcoming Direct-to-Chip testing and validation rigs\nSupport commissioning — leak checks, function testing, fault-finding, and generic troubleshooting\nDeliver mechanical and electrical modifications to existing rigs as needed\nMechanical and Electrical Assembly\nComfort with low voltage wiring - build control panels and instrumentation to schematic\nHigh degree of mechanical aptitude - Assemble mechanical sub-systems to specification and tolerance\nFunction test completed builds and document the results\nRig Operation and Procurement\nTake over day-to-day mechanical operation of test rigs\nSet up, run and reset test configurations for each campaign. Review data and recommend iterative improvements\nSource and order rig components, managing suppliers and lead times\n\nWhat We’re Looking For\nHands-on experience running 3D printers, CNC machines and workshop tooling\nComfortable across both mechanical assembly and electrical build work\nA background in prototype, R&D or low-volume build environments\nPractical problem-solver who diagnoses and fixes rather than waits\nExperience with fluid systems or test instrumentation is a strong plus\nWhy Join Orbital?\nCompetitive salary and equity package - the ability to own part of Orbital as we grow\nFlexible and generous paid time off\nExcellent health, dental and vision insurance plan\nRegular company offsites\nThe experience of working in a cutting-edge organisation dedicated to a better future\nOrbital is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.","company":"Orbital","rawCompany":"orbital","city":"Millbrae","state":"CA","isRemote":false,"isActive":false,"createdAt":"2026-08-13T15:20:40.346Z","occupations":[{"code":"17-2141.00","title":"Mechanical Engineers","slug":"mechanical-engineers"},{"code":"17-3027.00","title":"Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians","slug":"mechanical-engineering-technologists-and-technicians"},{"code":"19-2099.00","title":"Physical Scientists, All Other","slug":"physical-scientists-all-other"}],"industries":[{"code":"541715","title":"Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)","slug":"research-and-development-in-the-physical-engineering-and-life-sciences-except-nanotechnology-and-biotechnology"},{"code":"333248","title":"All Other Industrial Machinery Manufacturing","slug":"all-other-industrial-machinery-manufacturing"},{"code":"927110","title":"Space Research and Technology","slug":"space-research-and-technology"}],"jobPosting":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"JobPosting","title":"Prototype Researcher","description":"Orbital is an AI-first industrial company building hardware from the atoms up. Our goal is to lead an industrial renaissance to advance critical technologies and secure our planet for generations to come.\nWe’re starting with critical hardware for AI data centers to make them more performant and sustainable. Every Orbital product is invented with our AI platform — uniting AI-automated hardware engineering with AI-designed material science to achieve breakthrough real-world performance.\nWe have an ambitious mission and need excellent people in all our teams - AI research, operations, advanced materials, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering and manufacturing.\nWorking at Orbital means working in tightly integrated, vertically integrated teams. We’re looking for people who have a love of physical technology, curiosity in AI and a desire to learn.\nRole Overview\nYou'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.\n\nKey Responsibilities\nWorkshop and Machine Operation\nRun and maintain our 3D printers, CNC machine and workshop tooling\nDigital Fabrication - create and review CAD models. Produce parts, jigs and test fixtures to drawing\nManage tooling, consumables and machine servicing\nRig Build and Commissioning\nLead the mechanical build of our upcoming Direct-to-Chip testing and validation rigs\nSupport commissioning — leak checks, function testing, fault-finding, and generic troubleshooting\nDeliver mechanical and electrical modifications to existing rigs as needed\nMechanical and Electrical Assembly\nComfort with low voltage wiring - build control panels and instrumentation to schematic\nHigh degree of mechanical aptitude - Assemble mechanical sub-systems to specification and tolerance\nFunction test completed builds and document the results\nRig Operation and Procurement\nTake over day-to-day mechanical operation of test rigs\nSet up, run and reset test configurations for each campaign. Review data and recommend iterative improvements\nSource and order rig components, managing suppliers and lead times\n\nWhat We’re Looking For\nHands-on experience running 3D printers, CNC machines and workshop tooling\nComfortable across both mechanical assembly and electrical build work\nA background in prototype, R&D or low-volume build environments\nPractical problem-solver who diagnoses and fixes rather than waits\nExperience with fluid systems or test instrumentation is a strong plus\nWhy Join Orbital?\nCompetitive salary and equity package - the ability to own part of Orbital as we grow\nFlexible and generous paid time off\nExcellent health, dental and vision insurance plan\nRegular company offsites\nThe experience of working in a cutting-edge organisation dedicated to a better future\nOrbital is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.","datePosted":"2026-08-13T15:20:40.346Z","dateModified":"2026-08-13T15:20:40.346Z","hiringOrganization":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Orbital","sameAs":"https://jobsearcher.com"},"jobLocation":{"@type":"Place","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","addressLocality":"Millbrae","addressRegion":"CA","addressCountry":"US"}},"identifier":{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"JobSearcher","value":"7d4e699a7f1584be8ea30695"},"url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/7d4e699a7f1584be8ea30695"}}