Airframe Manufacturing Engineer

Astro Mechanica CORP.; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Astro Mechanica CORP. is seeking an experienced manufacturing engineer to help establish and scale its airframe manufacturing operations from the ground up.

You will own process development and oversee structural hardware delivery from concept through production, ensuring manufacturability and build quality. You will partner with design and production teams to translate engineering data into actionable manufacturing plans, drive composite fabrication, assembly, and integration, and continuously

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in composite manufacturing, structural fabrication, or aerospace manufacturing.
• Experience developing and implementing manufacturing processes for complex structures and assemblies.
• Strong understanding of composite materials, manufacturing methods, tooling, and assembly techniques.
• Experience supporting new product development, from initial design through completed hardware.
• Experience establishing or scaling manufacturing operations.
• Proficiency in CAD, engineering drawings, and design for manufacturability (DFM).
• Strong project management, problem-solving, and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Establish and scale airframe manufacturing operations, including facilities, equipment, tooling, and processes.
• Take end-to-end ownership of manufacturing process development and structural hardware delivery, from concept to production.
• Partner with engineering teams to translate designs into executable manufacturing plans.
• Drive composite fabrication, structural assembly, and integration activities to support milestones.
• Develop and continuously improve manufacturing processes, tooling, workflows, and documentation.
• Work hands-on with production teams to troubleshoot issues, improve manufacturability, and ensure build quality.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams and suppliers to support manufacturing execution, quality, and scalability.

Skills

Composite manufacturing

Aerospace manufacturing

Cross-functional collaboration

Project management

Problem-solving

Tools

CAD

Engineering drawings

DFM

Job description

ABOUT US:

Astro Mechanica is a vertically integrated aerospace company developing a scalable technology platform to power critical infrastructure, mission operations, and the future of flight. We apply aerospace engineering and quality standards across our products, delivering high performance, reliability, and efficiency for the most demanding operating environments. Astro Mechanica is backed by leading venture and strategic investors, including Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), Giant Step Capital, United Airlines Ventures, and Voyager Ventures.

WHO WE ARE:

We’re a team of passionate engineers dedicated to advancing aerospace. We’re generalists with specialist depth, united by a flat structure and a shared obsession with building things that work well. We move fast, stay pragmatic, and let engineering excellence speak louder than hierarchy.

WHO YOU ARE:

You're an engineer with a solid understanding of composite materials and manufacturing techniques, able to rapidly develop a manufacturing process from the ground up to turn engineering data into real hardware. You thrive in a hands-on, interdisciplinary environment where seamless collaboration with design, production, quality, supply chain and all other supporting teams is critical to achieving success. You're excited about building an aircraft manufacturing line from scratch and partnering closely with our manufacturing leaders to build a next-generation aircraft factory.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

• Help establish and scale Astro Mechanica’s airframe manufacturing operations, including facilities, equipment, tooling, and processes.

• Take end-to-end ownership of manufacturing process development and structural hardware delivery, from initial concept through production.

• Partner with engineering teams to translate designs and requirements into executable manufacturing plans.

• Drive composite fabrication, structural assembly, and integration activities to support development milestones.

• Develop and continuously improve manufacturing processes, tooling, workflows, and documentation.

• Work hands-on with production teams to troubleshoot issues, improve manufacturability, and ensure build quality.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams and suppliers to support manufacturing execution, quality, and scalability.

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR:

• 5+ years of experience in composite manufacturing, structural fabrication, or aerospace manufacturing.

• Experience developing and implementing manufacturing processes for complex structures and assemblies.

• Strong understanding of composite materials, manufacturing methods, tooling, and assembly techniques.

• Experience supporting new product development, from initial design through completed hardware.

• Experience establishing or scaling manufacturing operations.

• Proficiency in CAD, engineering drawings, and design for manufacturability (DFM).

• Strong project management, problem-solving, and cross-functional collaboration skills.

NICE TO HAVE:

• Experience with advanced manufacturing technologies, automation, and manufacturing software systems.

• Experience with aircraft or spacecraft integration and large-scale structural assemblies.