Sr Manufacturing Engineer

Astra Space Inc; Berkeley (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Health, vision, dental

401K

Lunch and snacks

Job summary

Astra Space Inc. is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer to develop and optimize production processes for Astra hardware on the factory floor.

You will translate designs into clear manufacturing methods, support first builds, and work with Design Engineering and Quality to ensure manufacturability and traceability. We value hands-on problem solving, organized execution, and the ability to drive process improvements in a fast-paced aerospace environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 5+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering or a similar role.
• Experience developing manufacturing processes, routings, work instructions, standard work, or production documentation.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, BOMs, specifications, and quality requirements.
• Working knowledge of GD&T and how drawing requirements impact manufacturing, inspection, and assembly.
• DFM/DFA principles and practical feedback to improve manufacturability and assembly execution.
• Comfortable working with technicians, operators, engineers, and cross-functional teams.
• Organized, hands-on, and able to solve problems in a fast-paced production environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain manufacturing processes, routings, work instructions, and standard work from prototype through production.
• Translate engineering designs, drawings, BOMs, and specifications into clear manufacturing methods, including operation sequence and tooling needs.
• Support first builds, pilot builds, production readiness, and transition-to-production activities.
• Provide day-to-day production support to resolve build issues, gaps, nonconformances, and blockers.
• Provide DFM/DFA feedback to improve manufacturability and assembly execution with Design Engineering.
• Define acceptance criteria, inspection needs, traceability requirements, and manufacturing risk controls with Quality.
• Support tooling, fixture, equipment, layout, and capacity needs to scale production.
• Use data, root cause analysis, and Lean to improve quality, reduce cycle time, and increase throughput.
• Train production personnel on new processes, documentation, tools, and standards.

Skills

Manufacturing engineering

Process development

DFM/DFA

GD&T

Cross-functional teamwork

Lean manufacturing

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Tools

MES

ERP

PLM

CAD

Job description

Astra’s mission is to improve life on Earth from space by creating a healthier and more connected planet. Today, Astra offers one of the lowest cost-per-launch dedicated orbital launch services, and one of the industry’s leading flight-proven electric propulsion systems for satellites, the Astra Spacecraft Engine.

The Opportunity

As a Manufacturing Engineer, you will help develop and improve the processes used to build Astra hardware safely, repeatedly, and efficiently. You will work closely with Design Engineering, Quality, Production, Supply Chain, and Operations to turn engineering requirements into clear manufacturing plans, documentation, and production processes. This is a hands‑on role for someone who is comfortable on the production floor, enjoys solving build issues, and can create structure in a fast‑moving environment. The ideal candidate has strong manufacturing fundamentals, understands DFM/DFA, can read engineering drawings, and knows how to turn design intent into a practical build process.

How You’ll Fulfill Your Mission

• Develop and maintain manufacturing processes, routings, work instructions, and standard work from prototype through production.
• Translate engineering designs, drawings, BOMs, and specifications into clear manufacturing methods, including operation sequence, tooling needs, inspection points, and process controls.
• Support first builds, pilot builds, production readiness, and transition‑to‑production activities.
• Provide day‑to‑day production support to resolve build issues, documentation gaps, nonconformances, and production blockers.
• Partner with Design Engineering to provide DFM/DFA feedback that improves manufacturability, assembly flow, quality, and repeatability.
• Partner with Quality to define acceptance criteria, inspection needs, traceability requirements, and manufacturing risk controls.
• Support tooling, fixture, equipment, layout, and capacity needs required to scale production.
• Use manufacturing data, root cause analysis, and Lean principles to improve quality, reduce cycle time, and increase throughput.
• Train production personnel on new processes, documentation, tools, and production standards.

Why We Value You

• You have a bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical field.
• You have 5+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering or a similar role.
• You have experience developing manufacturing processes, routings, work instructions, standard work, or production documentation.
• You can read and interpret engineering drawings, BOMs, specifications, and quality requirements.
• You have working knowledge of GD&T and understand how drawing requirements impacts manufacturing, inspection, and assembly.
• You understand DFM/DFA principles and can provide practical feedback to improve manufacturability and assembly execution.
• You are comfortable working directly with technicians, operators, engineers, and cross‑functional teams.
• You are organized, hands‑on, and able to solve problems in a fast‑paced production environment.
• You communicate clearly and take ownership until issues are resolved, and processes are stable.

Desired Multipliers

• Experience working inaerospace or propulsion hardware manufacturing.
• Experience designing with CAD supporting fixtures, tools, templates, or production aids.
• Experience with MES, ERP, PLM, or manufacturing execution systems.
• Experience with new product introduction, production readiness, prototype builds, or production ramp.
• Experience with Lean manufacturing, root cause analysis, PFMEA, control plans, or process validation.
• Experience with equipment implementation, layout planning, capacity analysis, or line balancing.

The pay range for this role is: $140,000 - $180,000 per year

Salary and Benefits

We’re competitive in compensation and offer equity as part of the package. We have great benefits that include health, vision, dental, and 401K in comparison to other startups. We provide lunch and there’s plenty of snacks and drinks to get you through the day.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

ITAR Requirements

This position requires compliance with U.S. Government space technology trade restrictions, specifically the International Trafficking in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Export Administration Regulations (EAR) and additional regulations governing satellite, launch vehicle, missile, and other related technologies. All jobs restricted by these regulations will be contingent upon the applicant’s status as a documented U.S. Person or their ability to receive a trade license from the cognizant government agency; in addition to any required company background checks and in compliance with applicable U.S. and California laws. Similarly, positions requiring the ability to work on government contracts or a security clearance are also contingent upon the applicant’s ability to receive the appropriate clearance and be allowed to work on U.S. government contracts.

San Francisco Applicants

Astra will consider applicants with arrest and conviction records (criminal histories) in a manner consistent with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.