Development CNC Machinist

Astra’s mission is to improve life on Earth from space by creating a healthier and more connected planet. Today, Astra offers one of the lowest cost-per-launch dedicated orbital launch services, and one of the industry’s leading flight-proven electric propulsion systems for satellites, the Astra Spacecraft Engine.

The Team

The Machine Shop Team is a highly skilled group of machinists and fabricators that bring our company's designs to life. The team is responsible for taking raw materials to finished form, while observing dimensional requirements and schedule constraints. The goal is always to produce finished parts that are of higher quality, lower cost, and to make them faster than any other shop!

The Opportunity 

As a Development CNC Machinist, your focus is on programming, setting up, and operating CNC lathes and mills, in addition to manual machining, part inspections, and related duties. This position requires prior experience using CAM software such as Siemens NX to program parts of varying complexity. Your experience selecting and setting up tools and workholding is put the the test on a daily basis, as a wide variety of part styles require turning and/or milling operations. A high level of comfort running a 3-axis vertical CNC mill or 2-axis CNC lathe is a must. Strong communication, attention to detail, and willingness to jump into action on any part type are your strong suits. Your priority, along with the rest of the shop team, is to produce finished parts faster, cheaper, and at higher quality than our vendors. This is a strong individual contributor role that will report directly to the Shop Manager.Type Text Here

How You'll Fulfill Your Mission

•  Interpret dimensioned part drawings with fluency in order to ensure that the correct machine tools, workholding, and inspection equipment are selected.
• Program and operate CNC machines. This requires taking a part from start to finish, and includes programming in CAM software (such as NX), calculating feeds and speeds, setting up cutting tools and workholding, proofing programs, loading parts, and breaking down setups when finished.
• Operate manual metal-cutting machinery such as knee mills, engine and tool room lathes, drill presses, tapping machines, surface grinders, and saws as necessary.
• Inspect finished or in-process parts using a variety of handheld inspections tools including calipers, micrometers, and hard gauges. Inspections may be done in cooperation with our QC lab.
• Communicate with other shop, quality control, and engineering personnel in pursuit of a transparent and cooperative atmosphere.
• Improve shop effectiveness by identifying bottlenecks and recurring issues and offering potential solutions. 

Why We Value You

• 5+ years experience as a CNC machinist have prepared you for this fast-paced shop atmosphere
• Can program, set up, and operate CNC mills using CAM software such as Siemens NX, Mastercam, etc.
• Have direct machining experience on manual equipment such as a knee mill, manual lathe, or drill press
• Calculate feeds and speeds and can solve geometry problems
• Understand the differences between different types of materials, their grades, their relative machineability, and can identify them quickly
• Proficient in threadcutting and can identify and inspect threads easily
• Proficient with measuring instruments including calipers, micrometers, hard gauges, and height gauges
• Read shop drawings with fluency and understand GD&T
• Lift 40+lbs, push heavy carts or crates, and can stretch, reach, kneel, or crawl as may be required by certain tasks
• Monitor machinery in order to identify necessary maintenance or safety issues
• Maintain a clean work area, and can perform your own preventative maintenance
• Use Excel, Word, and email, and are otherwise comfortable using a computer for information retrieval and storage
• Comfortable talking with engineering, managers, and colleagues to exchange technical information.
• Energetic individual with excellent communication (written and oral)

Desired Multipliers 

• Experience in a high-mix, fast paced job shop
• Experience writing or editing posts
• Experience in fabrication, including welding, sheet metal, waterjet, assembly, or finish work
• Trained in an engineering or design discipline
• Lean manufacturing certifications
• Experience with Proto-TRAK, multi-axis machines, palletized HMCs/VMCs, laser cutting, or EDM.

The pay range for this role is: 

5-8yrs exp: $45-55/hr

8+yrs exp: $56-70/hr

The stated compensation range reflects only the targeted base salary range in the San Francisco Bay Area. Astra provides competitive benefits and offer equity as part of the package. We have great benefits that include health, vision, dental, and 401K in comparison to other startups. We provide lunch and there's plenty of snacks and drinks to get you through the day.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

ITAR Requirements: This position requires compliance with U.S. Government space technology  trade restrictions, specifically the International Trafficking in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Export Administration Regulations (EAR) and additional regulations governing satellite, launch vehicle, missile, and other related technologies. All jobs restricted by these regulations will be contingent upon the applicant’s status as a documented U.S. Person or their ability to receive a trade license from the cognizant government agency; in addition to any required company background checks and in compliance with applicable U.S. and California laws. Similarly, positions requiring the ability to work on government contracts or a security clearance are also contingent upon the applicants ability to receive the appropriate clearance and be allowed to work on U.S. government contracts.

© Astra Space Operations, LLC. All rights reserved, Astra is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We encourage people of different backgrounds, experiences, abilities, and perspectives to apply.

San Francisco Applicants: Astra will consider applicants with arrest and conviction records (criminal histories) in a manner consistent with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.