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Varda Space

In-orbit manufacturing with reentry return services

Senior CNC 5-Axis Mill Machinist - Prototype Shop

Precision Machining & ToolmakingConfirmed live in the last 24 hours
Full-timeEl Segundo, CA, USA

About the Job

Requirements

  • At least 5 years of hands-on manual and CNC machining experience in a fast-paced prototype, aerospace, research and development, or advanced manufacturing environment.
  • Proficiency in Mastercam programming for complex multi-axis milling.
  • Deep hands-on operational and programming experience with 5-axis CNC mills and part fixturing designed to hold parts in a free state, along with zero-point fixturing.
  • Ability to work collaboratively and digitally across different personalities, and to adapt to quickly changing priorities.
  • U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residency to comply with ITAR regulations.

Responsibilities

  • Use Mastercam to program, set up, and operate multi-axis CNC equipment, with an emphasis on 5-axis CNC mills and complex geometries.
  • Fabricate challenging prototype and flight-support components from diverse aerospace materials under tight, rapidly evolving deadlines.
  • Own the manufacturing process from CAM programming through fixturing, tool selection, optimization, on-machine probing, and final inspection and verification.
  • Handle high-priority, complex work that commercial vendors cannot turn around or execute, linking design concepts to physical hardware.
  • Adapt to changing priorities and project scopes without sacrificing part integrity or precision.
  • Maintain rigorous quality standards through in-process inspection and close collaboration with quality assurance.
  • Use knowledge of geometric dimensioning and tolerancing, blueprint interpretation, and inspection to give teams proactive design-for-manufacturability feedback and optimize part designs for efficiency, strength, and manufacturability.
  • Collaborate digitally with engineers and peers, sharing information through digital work orders, CAD/CAM notes, and direct dialogue.
  • Contribute to a cohesive shop floor by sharing expertise, mentoring peers, and collaboratively troubleshooting setups.
  • Share specialized 5-axis and Mastercam knowledge, while learning other machines and processes as shop needs evolve.

Desired Qualifications

  • At least 10 years of hands-on manual and CNC machining experience, including advanced 5-axis operations.
  • Experience designing and fabricating complex fixturing and work-holding solutions.
  • Advanced knowledge of multi-tasking machine operations, such as mill-turns and live-tool lathes.
  • Ability to troubleshoot machining challenges and implement process improvements.
  • Familiarity with production-tracking tools such as Jira and with continuous-improvement methodologies.

About the Company

Varda Space

In-orbit manufacturing with reentry return services

Varda Space Industries provides in-space manufacturing by operating production facilities in low Earth orbit and returning finished goods to Earth using reentry capsules. Clients send materials or designs to Varda’s in-orbit production line, where microgravity enables manufacturing processes not possible on Earth. After production, capsules re-enter Earth's atmosphere to deliver goods back to customers, supported by in-orbit equipment and reliable reentry systems. The company aims to make low Earth orbit accessible for multiple industries by building end-to-end space manufacturing infrastructure and industrializing orbit for commercial use.

Company size
201-500
Company stage
Series D
Total funding
$609.5M
Headquarters
El Segundo, CA
Founded
2020

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