Mechanical Technician – Machining & Assembly

Approach Venture LLC; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Job summary

Approach Venture LLC in El Segundo, CA is seeking a Mechanical Technician to machine, assemble, and test flight hardware for interceptor platforms. You will work in-house on airframe structures, test fixtures, and integration with propulsion and avionics teams.

You will read engineering drawings, use manual and CNC mills/lathes, perform precision measurements, and support ground and flight testing. U.S. person status and ability to obtain clearance are required.

Qualifications

• Technical certificate, trade school, or military training in machining or mechanical fabrication, or equivalent experience
• 2 years hands-on machining, fabrication, or mechanical assembly experience
• Experience running manual or CNC mills and lathes
• Able to read engineering drawings including tolerances and GD&T
• Skilled with precision measuring tools
• Safe, organized, and careful in workmanship and records
• Able to lift up to 50 lbs and work on your feet in a shop environment
• U.S. Person status required (ITAR) and ability to obtain a U.S. security clearance

Responsibilities

• Machine parts on manual and CNC mills and lathes from engineering drawings
• Fabricate test fixtures, tooling, brackets, and ground support equipment
• Turn design changes into new parts quickly in partnership with engineers
• Assemble airframe structures, mechanisms, and subassemblies per drawings and procedures
• Install fasteners, inserts, and bonded joints to specification, including torque requirements
• Integrate propulsion and avionics hardware into the vehicle
• Inspect in-house and supplier parts with calipers, micrometers, height gauges, and other metrology tools
• Set up, run, and tear down structural, vibration, and environmental tests
• Support static fires and flight tests at test ranges
• Record build and inspection results, and track raw material and hardware inventory
• Maintain shop equipment, tools, and safety gear, and keep the shop organized
• Suggest better fixtures, tools, and processes to speed up builds

Skills

Machining

Mechanical fabrication

Reading drawings

GD&T

Precision measurement

Education

Technical certificate / trade school / military training in machining

2 years hands-on machining or mechanical assembly

Tools

Manual mills

CNC mills

CNC lathes

Job description

Mechanical Technician – Machine, assemble, and test flight hardware for interceptor platforms

El Segundo, California | On-site

Opportunity Summary

You will machine, build, and assemble the hardware flying on the first two interceptor platforms. You will make parts and test fixtures in the in‑house shop, assemble airframe structures and mechanisms, and support ground and flight testing. You will report to the mechanical engineering lead.

You will also work with propulsion, avionics, and aerodynamics engineers, and the hardware you build will be tested and flown.

About Us

We are a seed‑stage, venture‑backed defense technology company building affordable, modular interceptors for air and missile defense, with surface‑launched and space‑based platforms in development. The team has already demonstrated autonomous intercepts and is moving quickly from prototype hardware into flight testing from our South Bay facility. We are a small group of engineers and operators who design, build, and test in‑house, with a clear path toward scaled production for government customers.

Job Duties

• Machine parts on manual and CNC mills and lathes from engineering drawings
• Fabricate test fixtures, tooling, brackets, and ground support equipment
• Turn design changes into new parts quickly in partnership with engineers
• Assemble airframe structures, mechanisms, and subassemblies per drawings and procedures
• Install fasteners, inserts, and bonded joints to specification, including torque requirements
• Integrate propulsion and avionics hardware into the vehicle
• Inspect in‑house and supplier parts with calipers, micrometers, height gauges, and other metrology tools
• Set up, run, and tear down structural, vibration, and environmental tests
• Support static fires and flight tests at test ranges
• Record build and inspection results, and track raw material and hardware inventory
• Maintain shop equipment, tools, and safety gear, and keep the shop organized
• Suggest better fixtures, tools, and processes to speed up builds

Qualifications

• Technical certificate, trade school, or military training in machining or mechanical fabrication, or equivalent experience
• 2 years of hands‑on machining, fabrication, or mechanical assembly experience
• Experience running manual or CNC mills and lathes
• Able to read engineering drawings including tolerances and GD&T
• Skilled with precision measuring tools
• Safe, organized, and careful in workmanship and records
• Able to lift up to 50 lbs and work on your feet in a shop environment
• U.S. Person status required (ITAR) and ability to obtain a U.S. security clearance

Preferred Experience

• CNC programming and CAM such as Fusion 360 or Mastercam
• Aerospace or defense hardware assembly
• Composite layup, bonding, or TIG welding
• Military maintenance background or A&P license
• Structural or environmental test support
• Prior early‑stage startup experience

Why Join Us

• Build hardware that flies
• Hands‑on shop work in direct partnership with engineers
• Support live static fires and flight tests
• Grow your skills quickly on a small, fast teamEarly equity in a seed‑stage company with a rapidly growing team
• Mission with direct national security impact

Compensation Details

$90,000 – $130,000 equity