Senior Gunsmith

Advanced Diagnostics & Problem Solving Job Description

Location: Burlington, Vermont

Department: Engineering / R&D / Product Development

Reports To: Engineering Manager / COO / Technical Leadership

Atlas Gunworks builds some of the highest-performance precision firearms in the world. Our standards are unforgiving, our tolerances are microscopic, and our customers expect perfection. The Senior Gunsmith exists to protect and advance that standard. This role operates at the intersection of craftsmanship, engineering, and product performance. The individual will work directly on R&D initiatives, prototype development, product evaluations, and performance validation, acting as a technical authority on firearm function, fitment, reliability, and mechanical optimization.

We are not looking for a production assembler. We are looking for a deeply experienced gunsmith who can diagnose, refine, and elevate product design through hands‑on expertise.

• Lives in the mechanical details others overlook
• Sees functional risk before it manifests in the field
• Solves problems independently without waiting for direction
• Communicates mechanical issues in a way engineers and leaders understand
• Takes pride in precision craftsmanship
• Operates as a technical source of truth across the organization

This is a senior‑level role requiring established credibility and mastery of the trade.

• Build, modify, and refine prototype firearms
• Support new product introduction and design validation
• Evaluate function, reliability, and performance characteristics
• Provide direct feedback to engineering on design feasibility

• Identify mechanical improvement opportunities across product lines
• Recommend tolerance, fitment, and material adjustments
• Collaborate with Design and Manufacturing Engineering on revisions
• Translate field performance observations into engineering action

• Conduct deep‑dive functional troubleshooting
• Diagnose cycling, feeding, extraction, and timing issues
• Perform root cause analysis on product failures or anomalies
• Develop corrective solutions and validate effectiveness

• Execute high‑precision firearm builds and modifications
• Fit slides, frames, barrels, ignition components, and small parts
• Perform accuracy tuning and performance optimization
• Validate build consistency against Atlas standards

• Operate manual mills, lathes, and gunsmithing equipment
• Fabricate custom components and tooling when required
• Modify existing parts for prototype or testing purposes

• Conduct live‑fire testing and mechanical performance evaluations
• Document functional outcomes and performance data Support structured product test plans

• Serve as technical advisor to Engineering and Operations
• Support training and capability development of gunsmithing staff
• Provide insights into build methods, risks, and improvement pathways

• 10+ years of direct gunsmithing experience
• Mastery of firearm function, mechanics, and performance tuning
• Deep experience building and modifying precision pistols
• Proven diagnostic and troubleshooting capability
• Strong manual machining experience (mills, lathes, grinders)
• Ability to interpret and influence engineering drawings

• 1911/2011 experience is highly sought upon
• Experience supporting R&D or product development teams
• Competitive shooting or performance testing background
• Exposure to tight‑tolerance manufacturing environments
• Fixture or tooling fabrication experience
• Military or defense industry exposure

• Operates independently without needing direction
• Identifies improvement opportunities instinctively
• Thinks mechanically, not procedurally
• Commands credibility through craftsmanship
• Communicates clearly across technical and non‑technical teams
• Raises the performance standard of the organization

• A craftsmanship authority
• An R&D build specialist
• A diagnostic expert
• A design improvement contributor
• A bridge between engineering theory and mechanical reality

This role is intended to mirror and expand the capability of existing senior gunsmith leadership, creating depth within Atlas’ product performance function.