Lead Composite & Prototype Technician
DoorDashJobsCloseBy Editorial Insights
DoorDash Labs is hiring a Lead Composite & Prototype Technician in San Francisco to join the Prototype Integration team. This in person, hands on role develops and fabricates lightweight high‑strength composite components for autonomous delivery robots and supports broader electromechanical assembly during peak builds. You will prep tooling, organize materials, apply carbon fiber, fiberglass or Kevlar laminates by hand or automated means, ensure ply orientation and consolidation, and execute vacuum bagging using Pre‑Preg, Infusion, and Wet/Vacuum Lamination. You’ll read engineering drawings, operate power tools, maintain shop infrastructure, and assist with wiring and testing. Expect physical demands, up to 40 pounds, PPE, and some travel. Preferred CAD skills, aluminum tooling or 3D printed masters, and a valid US driver’s license. Pay ranges from $53 to $78 per hour with full benefits.
About the Team
DoorDash Labs is an independent team within DoorDash. We are working on building autonomous delivery robots from the ground up and other automation solutions as part of DoorDash's core delivery platform. If you have a passion for applying AI and robotics solutions in a service used by millions of people, then we want to talk to you!
Please Note: This role is based in San Francisco, CA, and requires being in-person 5 days a week.
About the Role
We are seeking a highly skilled Lead Composite & Prototype Technician to join the Prototype Integration (PI) Team. In this role, you will be the primary authority on advanced materials, responsible for fabricating the lightweight, high-strength structural components that enable our robotic platforms. This is a physically demanding, craftsmanship-focused role that requires a high degree of precision in layup techniques and tooling preparation. When fabrication needs are met, you will pivot to support the broader team as a Prototype Technician, assisting with the physical assembly and maintenance of complex electromechanical systems.
You’re excited about this opportunity because you will…
- Perform tooling prep operations in preparation for lamination.
- Prepare and organize composite materials in preparation for lamination.
- Apply composite materials onto molds or tooling surfaces using techniques like hand layup or automated processes.
- Ensure proper ply orientation, ply thickness, and material consolidation is achieved.
- Utilize advanced vacuum bagging techniques for composite layup operations, including Pre-Preg, Infusion, and Wet/Vacuum Bag Lamination.
- Mix and use Epoxy resins, fairing compounds, and industry-standard paints for structural and finishing needs.
- Interpret engineering drawings, blueprints, and technical specifications to ensure build accuracy.
- Operate and control a variety of power tools, including sanders, drills, impact drivers, and routers, safely and effectively for extended periods.
- Maintain and manage specialized shop infrastructure, including the cleanroom, curing ovens, and hazardous material storage.
- Support the physical assembly, wiring, and mechanical troubleshooting of robotic vehicles and test fixtures during peak build cycles.
- Use computers for basic documentation, record-keeping, and tracking of material shelf life.
- Work comfortably alone on complex components or in a team environment during full vehicle builds.
- Verbally communicate, read, and comprehend complex written and verbal instructions.
We’re excited about you because you have…
- Minimum 2+ years of relevant working experience in composite manufacturing, aerospace, or high-performance fabrication.
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- Proficiency in the use of hand and power tools and a high degree of manual dexterity for precision assembly.
- Mastery of vacuum bagging and lamination techniques with Carbon Fiber, Fiberglass, and Kevlar.
- Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and equipment weighing up to 40 pounds on a regular basis.
- Capacity to work in physically demanding environments, including bending, kneeling, crouching, reaching, and standing for extended periods.
- Tolerance for exposure to dust, fumes, adhesives, and fiberglass (with proper PPE provided).
- Ability to wear and work safely with required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) including respirators, gloves, and eye/ear protection.
- Visual acuity to measure accurately and perform detailed craftsmanship on structural parts.
- Willingness to travel within the US and abroad occasionally if required.
Preferred experience includes…
- Experience with advanced tooling creation from machined aluminum or 3D-printed masters.
- Proficiency in CAD software (e.g., Solidworks, Onshape) for model navigation and design verification.
- Background in making composites for fun projects
- Valid U.S. driver’s license
Notice to Applicants for Jobs Located in NYC or Remote Jobs Associated With Office in NYC Only
We use Covey as part of our hiring and/or promotional process for jobs in NYC and certain features may qualify it as an AEDT in NYC. As part of the hiring and/or promotion process, we provide Covey with job requirements and candidate submitted applications. We began using Covey Scout for Inbound from August 21, 2023, through December 21, 2023, and resumed using Covey Scout for Inbound again on June 29, 2024.
The Covey tool has been reviewed by an independent auditor. Results of the audit may be viewed here: Covey
Compensation
Actual compensation within the pay range listed below will be decided based on factors including, but not limited to, skills, prior relevant experience, and specific work location. Base salary is localized according to employee work location.
DoorDash cares about you and your overall well-being. That’s why we offer a comprehensive benefits package to all regular employees, which includes a 401(k) plan with employer matching, 16 weeks of paid parental leave, wellness benefits, commuter benefits match, paid time off and paid sick leave in compliance with applicable laws (e.g. Colorado Healthy Families and Workplaces Act). DoorDash also offers medical, dental, and vision benefits, 11 paid holidays, disability and basic life insurance, family-forming assistance, and a mental health program, among others.
To learn more about our benefits, visit our careers page here.
See below for paid time off details:
- For salaried roles: flexible paid time off/vacation, plus 80 hours of paid sick time per year.
- For hourly roles: vacation accrued at about 1 hour for every 25.97 hours worked (e.g. about 6.7 hours/month if working 40 hours/week; about 3.4 hours/month if working 20 hours/week), and paid sick time accrued at 1 hour for every 30 hours worked (e.g. about 5.8 hours/month if working 40 hours/week; about 2.9 hours/month if working 20 hours/week).
About DoorDash
At DoorDash, our mission to empower local economies shapes how our team members move quickly, learn, and reiterate in order to make impactful decisions that display empathy for our range of users—from Dashers to merchant partners to consumers. We are a technology and logistics company that started by enabling door-to-door delivery, and we are looking for team members who can help us go from a company that is known as the place you order food to a company that people turn to for any and all goods.
DoorDash is growing rapidly and changing constantly, which gives our team members the opportunity to share their unique perspectives, solve new challenges, and own their careers. We're committed to supporting employees’ happiness, healthiness, and overall well-being by providing comprehensive benefits and perks including premium healthcare, wellness expense reimbursement, paid parental leave and more.
Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
We’re committed to growing and empowering a more inclusive community within our company, industry, and cities. That’s why we hire and cultivate diverse teams of people from all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. We believe that true innovation happens when everyone has room at the table and the tools, resources, and opportunity to excel.
Statement of Non-Discrimination: In keeping with our beliefs and goals, no employee or applicant will face discrimination or harassment based on: race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, age, gender, marital/domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability status, or veteran status. Above and beyond discrimination and harassment based on “protected categories,” we also strive to prevent other subtler forms of inappropriate behavior (i.e., stereotyping) from ever gaining a foothold in our office. Whether blatant or hidden, barriers to success have no place at DoorDash. We value a diverse workforce – people who identify as women, non-binary or gender non-conforming, LGBTQIA+, American Indian or Native Alaskan, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latinx, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, differently-abled, caretakers and parents, and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply. Thank you to the Level Playing Field Institute for this statement of non-discrimination.
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and any other state or local hiring regulations, we will consider for employment any qualified applicant, including those with arrest and conviction records, in a manner consistent with the applicable regulation.
If you need any accommodations, please inform your recruiting contact upon initial connection.