Job Description 

We are a small, highly entrepreneurial team of rocket engineers with deep technical expertise who love to build things and relish the idea of a grand challenge, but not without a sense of humor along the way.

We believe that space is the ultimate high ground, and we are on a mission to provide routine access to earth orbit for the entrepreneurs and enterprises that are launching a new generation of services powered by small satellites that will connect, observe, and influence our planet.  Building on over a decade of technology development in rocket propulsion, structures, and avionics, we are applying a fast-paced, hardware-focused, agile approach to space launch. 

Are you an engineer, hacker, maker, physicist who has always dreamed of building rockets? Come help us build the hardware and launch the services that will open the frontier of space to the next generation of entrepreneurs and make daily access to space routine, for the first time on the planet. With dedication and a bias towards action, your first year will reward you with the pleasure of watching your handiwork leave the Earth's atmosphere!

How you'll help us achieve our mission...

You will help build our rockets! As part of our small, tight-knit production team, you’ll work on the shop floor. Use your VTL expertise to help bring our engineering ideas to life. With a special focus on our larger multi-axis parts, expect to:

• Work with the design team to enforce ‘design for manufacturing’ ideology
• Program, set-up, and operate large multitasking vertical turning lathes (VTL), with emphasis on thin-walled domes over 4ft diameter, often with milled features
• Program, set-up, and operate 3 axis mills, and 2-axis lathes as needed
• Assist with VTL tooling and fixturing selection
• Perform inspection on parts machined
• Efficiently use time and resources to manage deadlines
• Work with our machine seller to learn the ins and outs of the new equipment
• Continuously share your knowledge with the team to expand the breadth of the group

Can you do this? 

• Experience using multitasking lathes/VTL/VBM, multi-axis (ideally 5-axis) CAM software, and code verification
• 7+ years experience working in machine shops
• Experience programming lathe and mill operations using modern CAM software
• Familiarity with a variety of materials (aluminum, copper, brass, and stainless)
• Willingness to monitor machine maintenance and upkeep, and keep a clean shop
• Comfort inspecting parts to meet print tolerances using a variety of metrology instruments
• Comfort working in a fast-paced, self-driven entrepreneurial workplace

Nice to have

• 1+ years aerospace-related experience manufacturing lightweight complex parts
• Experience cutting high-temp alloys such as Inconel, Haynes, or Nitronic
• Fluency with Mastercam CAM or PDM and modeling software (SolidWorks, NX)
• Basic familiarity with ancillary manufacturing processes such as forming, forging, 3D printing, welding/brazing, sheet metal, CMM, waterjet and laser cutting machines
• Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) understanding
• Certification as forklift operator

ITAR Requirements: To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.