S

Starpath Robotics

Robotic ISRU factories producing lunar propellant

CNC Machinist Setup & Operation - MILL

Full-Time
$25 - $40/hr+ Overtime pay
Mid
Los Angeles, CA, USA
In Person
No H1B Sponsorship

About the job

Requirements
  • A high school diploma or equivalent.
  • 2-5 years of CNC machining experience.
  • Above-average knowledge of 3-axis CNC milling, with exposure to 5-axis machining preferred.
  • Proficiency in HAAS controls, including new and old styles, and G-code, or willingness to learn.
  • Ability to lift up to 25 pounds unassisted.
  • Ability to perform frequent standing, bending, grasping, pulling, and other shop-floor activities.
Responsibilities
  • Set up and operate 3-axis, 4th-axis rotary, and 5-axis CNC mills for precision aerospace robotics manufacturing.
  • Edit and optimize programs in HAAS G-code.
  • Interpret engineering drawings, CAD/CAM models, and geometric dimensioning and tolerancing requirements to produce efficient machining strategies.
  • Perform machine setups and operations, including cutting soft jaws, changing vises, using fixture plates, gathering tooling, performing offsets, and producing first-article parts.
  • Use inspection equipment to inspect parts after each operation.
  • Maintain records of print markups, programs, setup sheets, and tool lists.
  • Select and optimize tooling and adjust speeds and feeds for efficiency and tool life.
  • Saw-cut material, deburr parts, use grinders and pneumatic tools, and perform general shop-hand duties.
  • Maintain a clean work environment and shop space.
  • Troubleshoot and optimize machine-shop operations.
  • Mentor teammates and share best practices.
  • Assist with product assembly when needed.
  • Assist with machinery maintenance, cleanliness, upkeep, and repairs.
Desired Qualifications
  • 5+ years of CNC machining experience.
  • Expertise in setup fixturing and operating multi-axis CNC milling machines.
  • Strong background in complex surfacing, contours, and aerospace-style applications.
  • Experience optimizing processes for productivity, quality, and repeatability.
  • Familiarity with feeds, speeds, and tooling types for 6061/7075 aluminum, 300/400-series stainless steel, carbon steels, Inconel, plastics, and similar materials.
  • Experience mentoring others and leading shop projects.
  • Experience with 5-axis machining.

About the company

Starpath Robotics designs and builds robotic factories that can operate on the Moon and Mars to mine local resources, refine them into rocket propellant, and distribute it as a space refueling infrastructure. Its product works by deploying autonomous or remotely operated factory units that extract water ice, process it into propellant, and supply rockets and landers with fuel, enabling in-situ production of propellant for deep-space missions. Unlike others that may offer individual components, Starpath aims to provide a full-stack hardware system for ISRU-based propellant production and distribution as a service, targeting both private space companies and government agencies. The company’s goal is to establish a space refueling station that significantly lowers the cost of moving payloads in deep space by eliminating the need to launch heavy fuel from Earth, supporting the vision of long-term off-world colonies and multi-planet humanity.

Company Size

11-50

Company Stage

Seed

Total Funding

$12M

Headquarters

Hawthorne, California

Founded

2022

Get referred to Starpath Robotics

See people who can refer or advise you

Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Atomic-6 renewed development in April 2026 signals continuing technical progress and partner confidence.
  • Job postings in 2026 show active hiring across solar, robotics, software, and manufacturing.
  • Starpath's stated mid-2026 Moon installation target keeps narrative momentum for investors and recruits.

What critics are saying

  • Starpath still lacks a booked 2026 lunar launch, delaying validation and customer credibility.
  • A 33-person Hawthorne team faces capital strain if lunar hardware slips beyond 2026.
  • SpaceX, Blue Origin, and NASA vendors can outspend Starpath and commoditize lunar infrastructure.

What makes Starpath Robotics unique

  • Former SpaceX engineers built Starpath around lunar water-to-propellant infrastructure, not generic spacecraft.
  • Atomic-6 partnership advances deployable lunar solar arrays powering extraction, oxygen, and propellant systems.
  • Starpath already spans Starlight Solar, Shadow Voyager, and commodity production, creating platform leverage.

Help us improve and share your feedback! Did you find this helpful?

Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Paid Vacation

Company Equity

Meal Benefits

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

↑ 2%

1 year growth

↑ 0%

2 year growth

↑ 2%
Military & Aerospace Electronics
Nov 26th, 2024
Starpath Robotics taps Atomic-6 to develop deployable boom for lunar solar power tech

Starpath Robotics taps Atomic-6 to develop deployable boom for lunar solar power tech.

SpaceDaily
Nov 25th, 2024
Atomic-6 partners with Starpath Robotics for Lunar Power Tower development

Atomic-6 has entered into a development contract with Starpath Robotics to design and build a deployable composite boom for Starpath's advanced solar power generation system.

Los Angeles Business Journal
Aug 26th, 2024
Starpath Raises $12 Million Seed Round

Starpath raises $12 million seed round.

Business Insider
Aug 20th, 2024
Starpath Robotics raises $12M seed funding

Starpath Robotics, founded by former SpaceX engineers, raised $12 million in seed funding to develop reusable lunar spacecraft technology. The startup plans to mine lunar ice for water to create rocket propellant, enabling spacecraft to refuel and return to Earth. The funding, co-led by 8VC and Fusion Fund, will support a new facility in Hawthorne, CA, R&D, and hiring. Starpath aims to install its technology on a Moon-bound spacecraft by mid-2026.

TechCrunch
Aug 20th, 2024
Starpath accelerates moon water mining plans with $12M in funding | TechCrunch

Starpath Robotics wants to make the moon a refueling station for rockets, lunar landers and other spacecraft.