Astranis builds advanced satellites for high orbits, expanding humanity’s reach into the solar system. Today, Astranis satellites provide dedicated, secure networks to highly-sophisticated customers across the globe— large enterprises, sovereign governments, and the US military. With five satellites on orbit and many more set to launch soon, the company is servicing a backlog of more than $1 billion of commercial contracts.
Astranis is the preferred satellite communications partner for buyers with stringent requirements for uptime, data security, network visibility, and customization. Astranis has raised over $750 million from some of the world’s best investors, from Andreessen Horowitz to Blackrock and Fidelity, and employs a team of 450 engineers and entrepreneurs. Astranis designs, builds, and operates its satellites out of its 153,000 sq. ft. headquarters in Northern California, USA.
As a Machinist II - IV at Astranis, you will be responsible for programing and machining flight components for Astranis spacecraft, as well as supporting engineering with equipment and prototypes for future projects. The role will entail being able to program and operate CNC machines and various manual equipment, use quality inspection tools to verify hardware, and communicate with engineering teams to provide manufacturing feedback.
Role
- Read work instructions and prints for aerospace prototype and production parts, and produce them on a variety of equipment in our machine shop.
- Program and set up 2, 3, 5, and 9-axis CNC mills and lathes, including tooling creation, tool selection, and operation.
- Use data from Coordinate Measurement Machines (CMMs) and hand tools to inspect parts and adjust the machining process to deliver conforming parts.
- Document builds via Manufacturing Execution System (MES) to control part configuration, document production issues, and keep traceability.
- Procure material and tooling for jobs as needed based on requests for parts and scheduled production.
- Own start to finish quality and part acceptance adhering to tightly tolerance features and critical characteristics.
- Write non-conformance tickets for defects created or found during the manufacturing process.
- Assist in training for new employees and other internal users of the machine shop.
Requirements
- High school diploma or general education degree (GED).
- A minimum of 3+ years experience machining parts for aerospace, medical, gearing, or other high-precision industries.
- Experience in programming 3 and 5 axis mills utilizing a variety of toolpaths including simultaneous toolpaths.
- Experience in programming 2 and 3 Axis lathes utilizing a variety toolpaths including part transfer operations.
- Knowledge of Solidworks, Fusion 360, MasterCAM, or other CAM software.
- Knowledge Fanuc or Siemens based CNC controllers.
- General material knowledge (Aluminum alloys, Steel alloys, etc).
- Proficiency with inspection tools and experience dimensionally verifying hardware to engineering specifications.
- Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety data sheets, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedures.
- Ability to work in a neat, organized manner following all safety protocols and MES work instructions.
- Must be onsite 5 days a week.
Bonus
- Knowledge of Haas, Matsuura, DMG Mori, Makino machines.
- CMM programming experience (Zeiss preferred).
- Welding experience desired but not required ( TIG, UHV TIG, Ultrasonic, EBW, other bonding processes).
- Honeycomb panel machining experience desired but not required.
- Exotic materials desired (7050,LiAL,TI, 3d Prints and other ASTM materials).
- Composite fabrication knowledge desired but not required.
- Component cleaning, bagging and documentation knowledge desired but not required.