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JOB DETAILS

Senior Pilot Production Technician, Structures

CompanyPanthalassa
LocationVancouver
Work ModeOn Site
PostedSeptember 9, 2026
About The Company

No description available for this Company.

About the Role
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 - $55.00 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
Key Skills
Heavy steel fabricationGMAW/FCAW/SAW weldingFit and weldRigging and heavy liftsGD&T and shop drawingsAWS D1.1 / ASME BPVCWPS and PQR creationManufacturing Execution System (MES)Continuous improvement
Categories
ManufacturingEngineeringOperations
Benefits
EquityFlexible paid time offHealth insuranceDental insuranceVision insuranceDisability insurance401(k)Health FSADependent care FSARelocation assistance
Job Information
📋Core Responsibilities
Support day-to-day pilot production operations for heavy steel fabrication, including plate rolls and fit and weld equipment, and assist in developing work instructions and SOPs. Triage machine downtime, yield and cycle time issues, run production testing campaigns, and coordinate with an external contract manufacturing partner on Node fabrication.
📋Job Type
full time
💰Salary Range
$40 - $55
📊Experience Level
5-10
💼Company Size
Not specified
📊Visa Sponsorship
No
💼Language
English
🏢Working Hours
40 hours
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