Senior Pilot Production Technician, Structures

About the Company

We are a renewable energy and ocean technology company committed to rapidly developing and deploying technologies that will ensure a sustainable future for Earth by unlocking the vast energy potential of its oceans. Our focus is on capturing civilizational levels of ultra-low-cost renewable energy for applications including computing and affordable renewable fuels delivered to shore.

The company is a public benefit corporation headquartered in Portland, Oregon, and backed by leading venture capitalists, philanthropic investors, university endowments, and private investment offices. We operate as an idea meritocracy in which the best ideas change the company’s direction on a regular basis.

Our staff have worked at organizations such as SpaceX, Blue Origin, Boeing, Tesla, Apple, Virgin Orbit, Astra, Google, Amazon, Microsoft, New Relic, Bridgewater, Raytheon, Disney Imagineering, and the US Army and Air Force, as well as research universities, startups, and small companies across a range of industries.

About the Job

Our core technology is the node, a device that produces energy in the ocean’s harshest conditions for years at a time without human maintenance or intervention.

We are getting ready to build fleets of these Nodes, and that means standing up a manufacturing system that can produce the hulls as well as the internal subsystems at scale. The Pilot Production team will be the first crew whose primary focus is producing components utilizing mass production techniques. We will help to test, define, refine, and document the processes so that Panthalassa can rapidly scale into mass production. This team is data and process driven, improvement focused, and willing to step in wherever needed. 

The Senior Pilot Production Technician, Structures will support a range of critical new processes and existing heavy steel fabrication in our pilot manufacturing site in Vancouver, WA. This role will both support internal pilot manufacturing functions, and also assist in supporting Node fabrication at our neighboring contract manufacturing partner. This is a hands-on role that requires onsite presence, with many opportunities to work cross functionally with the engineering and quality departments. 

Candidates should have strong interpersonal skills and be able to thrive in a creative, scrappy, and collaborative environment in which the best ideas change the company’s direction on a regular basis.

Key Responsibilities

• Support day to day pilot production operations across a variety of equipment and processes including plate rolls and various types of fit & weld equipment
• Assist in developing work instructions and standard operating procedures for pilot equipment
• Triage and resolve machine downtime, yield issues, or cycle time issues
• Complete production testing campaigns on pilot equipment
• Track and ensure on-time completion of tasks as required to meet production goals
• Act as first point of contact with our primary contract manufacturing partner, working closely with their production staff to help coordinate day-to-day activities
• Support adherence to build plans and proposed order of operations during node construction
• Assist in developing production KPI’s (Key Performance Indicators)
• Communicate redlines, production delays, and non-conformances to internal engineering teams to ensure quality and delivery targets are met
• Perform weld and dimensional inspections (if qualified) 
• Participate in new equipment development campaigns including design brainstorming, prototyping and implementation of new equipment at pilot scale 
• Assist in the implementation and maintenance of the MES (Manufacturing Execution System

Required Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in a heavy steel fabrication production environment
• Experience with fabrication processes including thermal and mechanical cutting, forming, and fit and weld (GMAW, FCAW, SAW)  
• Experience with rigging, heavy lifts, cranes, and large material handling equipment
• Experience working on elevated platforms, including scaffolding and boom and scissor lifts
• Strong understanding of steel fabrication codes such as AWS D1.1, ASME BPVC, ABS, or AISC
• Ability to read and interpret shop drawings, including familiarity with GD&T; ability to generate redlines
• Strong knowledge of joint designs, PQRs, and WPS creation
• Works and communicates well with others, especially those who do not share your field of expertise
• Have a strong, self directed work ethic
• Have a desire to drive continuous improvement
• Comfortable with computer software such as word processors and spreadsheets

Desired Qualifications

• Experience with 3D modeling software such as Fusion360, Solidworks, or NX
• Experience with 2D drawing software such as Autodesk and Bluebeam 
• Experience with semi and fully automated welding equipment
• Strong knowledge of NDE methods
• Experience with factory production software such as ERP, MRP, QMS, and MES
• Experience developing WPSs and PQRs
• Certified welder
• Certified weld inspector 
• Experience setting up new manufacturing equipment or processes
• Experience working with 3rd party contract manufacturers or international fabrication partners

The above qualifications are desired, not required. We encourage you to apply if you are a strong candidate with only some of the desired skills and experience listed.

Requirements  

You will be required to be on your feet for up to 10 hours per day and occasionally lift objects weighing up to 50 pounds. You should be comfortable working in elevated work areas, including on ladders and platforms, as well as in confined spaces with appropriate safety equipment and training.

You will occasionally be asked to help other teams within the company, such as prototyping, facilities, and logistics

• Must be authorized to work in the United States.
• Intermittently able to work extended hours to support critical equipment builds and pilot line ramp

Work Hours

Typically 8am to 4pm, Monday-Friday. Shift can be flexible with potential overtime.

Compensation and Benefits

If hired for this full-time role, you will receive:

• Cash compensation of $40.00 - $50.00 per hour.
• Equity in the company. We’re all owners and if we’re successful, this equity should be far and away the most valuable component of your compensation.
• A benefits package that helps you take care of yourself and your family, including:
  • Flexible paid time off
  • Health insurance (the company pays 100% of gold-level PPO plan for full-time employees, their partners, and dependents)
  • Dental insurance (the company pays 100% for full-time employees, their partners, and dependents)
  • Vision insurance (the company pays 100% for full-time employees, their partners, and dependents)
  • Disability insurance (the company pays 100% for a policy to provide long-term financial support if you become disabled)
  • Ability to contribute to tax-advantaged accounts, including 401(k), health FSA, and dependent care FSA
• Relocation assistance to facilitate your move to Portland/ Vancouver (if needed).

Location

This is an on-site position based at our Vancouver Manufacturing Campus in Vancouver, Washington