Back to jobs

Machinist - Apprentice

San Francisco

As a team, we’ve launched five satellites into orbit, signed ten commercial deals worth over $1 billion in revenue, raised over $750 million from top global investors, and recruited a team of over 400 world-class engineers. We all work out of our (legendary) San Francisco office, which was once used to build ships during the World Wars.

Our satellites, which operate from geostationary orbit (GEO), weigh only 400 kg and utilize a proprietary software-defined radio payload. Each satellite can connect over two million people, and we’re very excited for the impact we’ll soon have in the Philippines, Mexico, and more!

Backed by substantial funding and a passionate, collaborative team, we offer a rewarding work environment where you'll learn and make a significant impact, no matter where you are in your career.

Machinist - Apprentice

As a Machinist I at Astranis, you will be responsible for the finishing, cleaning, and final assembly of machined flight components for Astranis spacecraft, as well as supporting engineering with equipment and prototypes for future projects. The role will entail being able to execute on critical pre and post machining operations such as material prep and parts cleaning/ deburring. There is potential to operate CNC machines and various manual equipment, use quality inspection tools to verify hardware, and communicate with engineering teams to provide manufacturing and process feedback. This is an entry level position that does not require existing experience and is a great starting point to kick off a career in aerospace production!

 

Role

  • Read work instructions and prints for aerospace prototype and production parts. 
  • Deburring and finishing of CNC machined components via hand tools and by utilizing equipment such as tumblers, ultrasonic cleaners, and laser engravers. 
  • Preparation of machining jobs by cutting raw material, staging material and tooling, assisting in storage and labeling.
  • Inventory management of hardware and tooling, consumables, and critical spares.
  • Post machining installation of Heli-Coil and key-lock inserts.
  • Potential to gain operational knowledge of CNC machines. 
  • Execute daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly maintenance procedures on all CNC machines including tracking and replenishing consumables. 
  • Document builds via Manufacturing Execution System (MES) to control part configuration, document production issues, and keep traceability.
  • Own start to finish quality and part acceptance adhering to tightly toleranced 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).
  • Experience in a technical and hands-on hardware field such as robotics, automotive, or woodworking. 
  • Extreme passion for machining and space!
  • Familiarity with basic tools such as drills, files, vises, etc.
  • 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

  • Component cleaning, packaging, and documentation knowledge desired but not required.
  • Familiarity with tumblers, ultrasonic cleaners, and laser engravers.
  • 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). 
  • Exotic materials desired (7050,LiAL,TI, 3d Prints and other ASTM materials). 
  • Proficiency with inspection tools and experience dimensionally verifying hardware to engineering specifications.
  • Knowledge of Haas, Matsuura, DMG Mori, Makino machines.
  • Welding experience desired but not required ( TIG, UHV TIG, Ultrasonic, EBW, other bonding processes). 
  • Composite fabrication knowledge desired but not required.
What we offer: 
 
All our positions offer a compensation package that includes equity and robust benefits.
 
Base pay is a single component of Astranis's total rewards package, which may also include equity in the form of incentive stock options, high quality company-subsidized healthcare, disability and life insurance benefits, flexible PTO, 401(K) retirement, and free on-site catered meals.
 
Astranis pay ranges are informed and defined through professional-grade salary surveys and compensation data sources. The actual base salary offered to a successful candidate will additionally be influenced by a variety of factors including experience, credentials & certifications, educational attainment, skill level requirements, and the level and scope of the position.

Base Hourly Pay

$30 - $55 USD

U.S. Citizenship, Lawful Permanent Residency, or Refugee/Asylee Status Required
(To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the United States, or other protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3))
 
Our mission and our products are meant to connect the world and everyone in it, regardless of gender, race, creed, or any other distinction. We believe in a diverse and inclusive workplace, and we encourage all people to join our team and bring their unique perspective to help make us stronger.

Create a Job Alert

Interested in building your career at Astranis? Get future opportunities sent straight to your email.

Apply for this job

*

indicates a required field

Resume/CV*

Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf

Education

Select...
Select...
Select...
Select...
Select...
Select...
Select...

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey. Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiring process or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in a confidential file.

As set forth in Astranis’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy, we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

Select...
Select...
Race & Ethnicity Definitions

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection. As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measure the effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categories is as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.

Select...

Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability

Form CC-305
Page 1 of 1
OMB Control Number 1250-0005
Expires 04/30/2026

Why are you being asked to complete this form?

We are a federal contractor or subcontractor. The law requires us to provide equal employment opportunity to qualified people with disabilities. We have a goal of having at least 7% of our workers as people with disabilities. The law says we must measure our progress towards this goal. To do this, we must ask applicants and employees if they have a disability or have ever had one. People can become disabled, so we need to ask this question at least every five years.

Completing this form is voluntary, and we hope that you will choose to do so. Your answer is confidential. No one who makes hiring decisions will see it. Your decision to complete the form and your answer will not harm you in any way. If you want to learn more about the law or this form, visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) website at www.dol.gov/ofccp.

How do you know if you have a disability?

A disability is a condition that substantially limits one or more of your “major life activities.” If you have or have ever had such a condition, you are a person with a disability. Disabilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Alcohol or other substance use disorder (not currently using drugs illegally)
  • Autoimmune disorder, for example, lupus, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV/AIDS
  • Blind or low vision
  • Cancer (past or present)
  • Cardiovascular or heart disease
  • Celiac disease
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Deaf or serious difficulty hearing
  • Diabetes
  • Disfigurement, for example, disfigurement caused by burns, wounds, accidents, or congenital disorders
  • Epilepsy or other seizure disorder
  • Gastrointestinal disorders, for example, Crohn's Disease, irritable bowel syndrome
  • Intellectual or developmental disability
  • Mental health conditions, for example, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD
  • Missing limbs or partially missing limbs
  • Mobility impairment, benefiting from the use of a wheelchair, scooter, walker, leg brace(s) and/or other supports
  • Nervous system condition, for example, migraine headaches, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS)
  • Neurodivergence, for example, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, dyspraxia, other learning disabilities
  • Partial or complete paralysis (any cause)
  • Pulmonary or respiratory conditions, for example, tuberculosis, asthma, emphysema
  • Short stature (dwarfism)
  • Traumatic brain injury
Select...

PUBLIC BURDEN STATEMENT: According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. This survey should take about 5 minutes to complete.