Lead Machinist

Quantum Space; Hawthorne (CA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 59,000; Full time

Job summary

Quantum Space in Hawthorne, CA is seeking a Lead Machinist to direct the Hawthorne machine shop supporting the Ranger spacecraft program. You will set up and operate multi‑axis CNC mills and lathes, lead machinists and inspectors, and own shop scheduling and quality.

Collaborate with design and manufacturing engineers, machine first articles, mentor junior machinists, and develop repeatable processes, fixtures, tooling, and inspection methods for consistent quality and efficiency as we scale to

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience with G-code, setup, operation, and/or programming of CNC mills and lathes
• 3+ years tolerances of ±0.0005" or tighter with precision inspection
• Read and interpret engineering drawings, GD&T per ASME Y14.5

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of machinists and quality inspectors; manage daily priorities and shop schedule
• Set up, program, and operate multi-axis CNC mills and lathes for propulsion, structural, tooling parts
• Maintain tight tolerances and surface finishes on flight hardware
• Perform first-article and in-process inspection using CMMs; drive corrective actions
• Develop fixtures, tooling, and workholding for repeatable production
• Transfer machining processes to Tulsa manufacturing center

Skills

G-code

CNC milling

CNC turning

5-axis setup

GD&T

ASME Y14.5

CMM programming

Mastercam

Fusion 360

NX

SolidWorks

Creo

Team leadership

Fixture design

Process transfer

Tools

Mastercam

Fusion 360

NX

SolidWorks

Creo

Zeiss CMM

Mitutoyo CMM

Hexagon CMM

Job description

Quantum Space is redefining mobility and maneuverability in space. Our high-mobility spacecraft platforms support national security, civil, and commercial missions with unmatched flexibility and propulsion capability. We build fast and iterate quickly.

Who We’re Looking For

We are seeking an experienced and hands‑on Lead Machinist to lead our Hawthorne machine shop supporting the Ranger spacecraft program. In this role, you will oversee the manufacturing of tight‑tolerance propulsion, structural, and tooling components for flight and test hardware. You will set up and operate multi‑axis CNC equipment, lead a team of machinists and quality inspectors, and take ownership of shop scheduling, quality, safety, and production performance.

You will play a critical role as Ranger transitions from development into production. Working closely with design and manufacturing engineers, you will machine first articles, provide early feedback on manufacturability, and develop repeatable manufacturing processes, fixtures, tooling, and inspection methods that ensure consistent quality and production efficiency. You will also support the transfer of established machining processes to our Tulsa manufacturing center as production scales.

This position is ideal for a skilled machinist who leads by example, thrives in a hands‑on manufacturing environment, and enjoys mentoring others while producing precision components for mission‑critical spacecraft systems.

Where You’ll Make an Impact

• Lead a team of machinists and quality inspectors; set daily priorities, maintain the shop schedule, and act as point of contact when management is unavailable
• Set up, program, and operate multi‑axis CNC mills and lathes to produce propulsion, structural, and tooling components from aluminum, titanium, stainless, Inconel, and engineered plastics
• Hold tight tolerances and surface finishes on flight hardware, including sealing surfaces, fluid fittings, and precision bores
• Perform first‑article and in‑process inspection using CMM, optical comparators, and hand gauges; record results and drive corrective actions to improve part quality
• Review drawings, models, and GD&T with design and manufacturing engineers; give early, data‑backed feedback on manufacturability, tolerancing, and material selection
• Design and build fixtures, soft jaws, and work holding that make parts repeatable from the first article through rate production
• Write and maintain setup sheets, tool lists, and work instructions so any qualified machinist can run the job
• Cross‑train the team in CNC setup, inspection, and shop practices; coach junior machinists and raise the skill level of the shop
• Own tooling, cutter inventory, and preventive maintenance so machines stay up and output is predictable
• Enforce shop safety, FOD control, and material traceability for flight hardware
• Track throughput, scrap, and rework; communicate shop status, readiness, and risks to engineering and production leadership
• Document machining processes and parameters so they can be transferred to the Tulsa manufacturing center

What It Takes

• High school diploma or equivalency certificate
• 5+ years of experience with G‑code, setup, operation, and/or programming of CNC mills and lathes
• 3+ years of experience machining to tolerances of ±0.0005" or tighter and verifying them with precision inspection equipment
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, models, and GD&T per ASME Y14.5

Nice-to-Have Experience

• 3+ years leading a team or shift in a machine shop environment
• 5+ years of 5‑axis mill setup and programming experience
• Experience with multi‑axis lathes, live tooling, and horizontal and vertical mills
• CAM programming experience in Mastercam, Fusion 360, NX, or similar; CAD experience in NX, SolidWorks, or Creo
• Experience machining aerospace alloys, including titanium, Inconel, and 6061/7075 aluminum
• Experience with CMM programming and operation (Zeiss, Mitutoyo, Hexagon, or similar)
• Experience with propulsion or fluid‑system components: sealing surfaces, high‑pressure fittings, thin walls, and deep bores
• Experience designing and building fixtures and workholding for low‑volume, high‑mix production
• Familiarity with AS9100 quality systems, first‑article inspection per AS9102, and material traceability for flight hardware
• Experience transferring machining processes from a prototype shop to a production facility
• Comfortable working directly with design engineers and pushing back on drawings with data
• Clear communicator who can keep a shop running without supervision and bring problems to leadership early

What You’ll Get

• Ownership – Lead machining operations and precision component manufacturing for the Ranger spacecraft program, taking responsibility for shop performance, quality, and production readiness
• Innovation – Develop and implement advanced CNC machining processes, tooling, fixtures, and manufacturing techniques supporting next‑generation spacecraft technologies
• Impact – Play a direct role in producing high‑precision propulsion, structural, and flight hardware components that support critical national security, civil, and commercial space missions
• Growth – Help advance spacecraft manufacturing capabilities while mentoring machinists, improving shop processes, and supporting the transition from development into rate production
• Compensation – Competitive salary, equity, and comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, generous leave, HSA, 401(k) matching, and equity participation.

Location:

Hawthorne, CA

Hourly Rate:

$36-43 per hour

The salary range for this role is determined based on a variety of factors including work experience, education, technical expertise, certifications, critical skills, and business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full‑time offers and are considered part of Quantum Space's total compensation package.

Additional Requirements

• Must be willing to work flexible and/or extended hours, including overtime and weekends, to meet test campaign and delivery milestones
• Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs. unassisted and stand for extended periods
• Must be able to stoop, bend, and work in tight spaces around machine tools
• Must be able to work in an environment with repetitive movement, cutting fluids, and distracting noise levels while wearing required PPE
• Able to travel for short business trips to Rockville, MD, Tulsa, OK, and suppliers as needed (up to 10%)

To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including ITAR, applicants must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual per 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

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 hiringprocess or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in aconfidential file.

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

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 measurethe effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categoriesis 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.