Machining & Fabrication Lead – Aerospace Hardware, Equity

k2spacecorporation; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

K2 is seeking a hands-on Manager, Machining and Fabrication to lead the machine shop, development fabrication, precision inspection (CMM), and spacecraft paint teams. You will own end-to-end shop performance, safety, and facilities coordination at a new high-rate production facility.

In this role, you will scale from development to high-rate production, making decisions on equipment, staffing, layout, and in-house build strategies to meet aggressive timelines and quality standards.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of direct people leadership in a fast-paced machining or fabrication environment.
• 8+ years of hands-on experience in machining, fabrication, or precision manufacturing in a high volume, rapid environment in aerospace, defense, or complex hardware manufacturing industries
• Demonstrated experience leading multiple work centers in a high-mix, low-volume development or quick-turn environment

Responsibilities

• Manage and develop a talented team of specialized work centers including machine shop, development fabrication shop, precision inspection (CMM), and spacecraft paint
• Ensure a strong sense of safety, quality, and turn time is communicated and upheld by all members of your team
• Manage the schedule and delivery of precision machined parts, welded assemblies, prototype hardware, tooling, fixtures, and GSE for development, production, and test
• Set daily priorities for the team, adjusting quickly and effectively when engineering needs change
• Identify and remove constraints that block hardware delivery, whether they're equipment, resources, material, or process
• Drive capability expansion, including equipment selection, capital investment, new processes, and make vs. buy decisions
• Support the buildout of new manufacturing and development areas, including layout, infrastructure, and equipment installation in partnership with Engineering, Production, and Facilities
• Establish metrics for throughput, schedule adherence, utilization, equipment readiness, and quality to drive continuous improvement
• Serve as site lead for the building, coordinating with Facilities, Design Engineering, and Test on shared resources and operational readiness

Skills

People leadership

Machining expertise

Manufacturing operations

Process improvement

Tools

CNC machining

CMM

GD&T

MES/ERP systems

Job description

K2 is seeking a hands-on Manager, Machining and Fabrication to lead the machine shop, development fabrication, precision inspection (CMM), and spacecraft paint teams. You will own end-to-end shop performance, safety, and facilities coordination at a new high-rate production facility.

In this role, you will scale from development to high-rate production, making decisions on equipment, staffing, layout, and in-house build strategies to meet aggressive timelines and quality standards.