Development CNC Machinist
Alameda, California

This is a launch company applying an agile approach to space launch, building on over a decade of technology development in rocket propulsion, structures and avionics. They deliver routine access to Earth orbit for enterprises launching services powered by small satellites.

Their headquarters sits in Alameda, between San Francisco and Oakland. The campus supports full cycle rocket production, from design through manufacturing and test, plus mission control.

The machine shop takes raw material to finished form against dimensional requirements and schedule constraints. The goal is to produce parts faster, cheaper and at higher quality than any outside vendor.

This is a strong individual contributor role reporting directly to the Shop Manager.

What you will do

• Program and operate CNC machines from start to finish, including CAM programming in software such as NX, calculating feeds and speeds, setting up cutting tools and workholding, proofing programs, loading parts and breaking down setups
• Interpret dimensioned part drawings and select the correct machine tools, workholding and inspection equipment
• Operate manual metal cutting machinery including knee mills, engine and tool room lathes, drill presses, tapping machines, surface grinders and saws
• Inspect finished and in process parts with calipers, micrometers and hard gauges, working with the QC lab where needed
• Communicate with shop, quality control and engineering personnel
• Identify bottlenecks and recurring issues, and offer solutions to improve shop effectiveness

Who this suits

• Someone with 5 or more years as a CNC machinist, used to a fast paced shop
• Able to program, set up and operate CNC mills and lathes using CAM software such as Siemens NX or Mastercam, with direct experience on manual equipment too
• Fluent in shop drawings and GD&T, proficient in threadcutting, and confident with calipers, micrometers, hard gauges and height gauges
• Able to calculate feeds and speeds, solve geometry problems, and identify materials and their machinability quickly
• Someone who can lift 40lbs or more, push heavy carts or crates, and stretch, reach, kneel or crawl as tasks require
• Someone who keeps a clean work area, performs their own preventative maintenance, and spots machinery needing attention
• Useful extras: high mix job shop experience, writing or editing posts, fabrication including welding, sheet metal, waterjet or assembly, engineering or design training, lean certifications, Proto TRAK, multi axis machines, palletised HMCs or VMCs, laser cutting or EDM

What you get

$45 to $55 per hour at Level 4, for 5 to 8 years of experience. $56 to $65 per hour at Level 5, for 8 or more years. Equity as part of the package. Health, vision, dental and 401k. This role is subject to US export control regulations, so it is contingent on US citizenship, lawful permanent residence, protected individual status, or eligibility to obtain the required authorisations from the Department of State.

Apply

Send your CV through this advert and we’ll come back to you with the full company details and next steps. Darwin Space is a specialist space industry recruitment firm working exclusively on this vacancy. All applications are treated in confidence.

Darwin Recruitment is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.

Darwin Recruitment is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.

Adam Slade