Sr. Operations Technical Trainer

Astrolab; Hawthorne (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity ownership

Comprehensive health benefits

401(k) plan with company match

Flexible PTO

Lunch stipend on-site

Job summary

Astrolab in Hawthorne, California seeks a Sr. Operations Technical Trainer to create, deliver, and continuously improve training for production, integration, test, and quality teams ensuring aerospace manufacturing processes are safe, compliant, and reliable.

This role owns the operations training system, including on-the-job training, qualifications, and new-hire onboarding, reporting to the Quality Engineering Manager.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in STEM or equivalent aerospace/manufacturing experience
• 5+ years in regulated aerospace manufacturing operations
• Experience developing and delivering technical or shop-floor training
• Experience reading and interpreting engineering drawings and quality procedures

Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain, and deliver technical training for operations processes including assembly, integration, test, inspection, material handling, tooling use, and related support activities
• Convert drawings, work instructions, process specs, and quality procedures into lesson plans and checks
• Administer the operations training matrix: courses, OJT sign-offs, recertification, and role-based qualifications
• Conduct classroom, shop-floor, and virtual instruction; qualify trainers and coaches
• Partner with Quality and Operations on nonconformance, CAPA trends; design retraining as needed
• Lead new-hire onboarding and process-change training to ensure qualifications before work release
• Evaluate training effectiveness using assessments and feedback; revise content
• Manage training calendars, rooms, equipment, and external instruction when needed
• Contribute to continuous improvement of work instructions and standard work
• Maintain professional training environment on the floor

Skills

Aerospace manufacturing

Technical training

Reading drawings

OJT & classroom training

Education

BSc or equivalent in STEM/related

Tools

IPC standards

NASA standards

Job description

Compensation

$100,000 - $135,000 / year

Department

Operations

Location

Hawthorne, California

Astrolab is The Lunar Operations Company. We design and build the systems and hardware the lunar economy will come to depend on — rovers, power, and data networks for sustained operations on the Moon. We are focused on the problems that must be solved before the next chapter of human exploration can scale.

The Moon does not forgive untested assumptions. The people who work here know that, and they wouldn't have it any other way.

We are seeking a meticulous and experienced Sr. Operations Technical Trainer to join our team. The role involves developing, delivering, and continuously improving technical training that enables production, integration, test, and quality teams to execute aerospace manufacturing processes safely, consistently, and in compliance with customer and internal requirements.

This role owns the training system for operations: work-instruction-based instruction, on-the-job training (OJT), skills qualification and certification, new-hire, and process-change training ensuring that our manufacturing team is trained in all areas of production ensuring the organization meets the highest standards of Quality and Reliability.

This role will report to the Quality Engineering Manager.

What you'll do:

• Develop, maintain, and deliver technical training for operations processes including assembly, integration, test, inspection, material handling, tooling use, and related support activities
• Convert engineering drawings, work instructions, process specifications, and quality procedures into clear lesson plans, job aids, demonstrations, and competency checks
• Administer the operations training matrix: required courses, OJT sign-offs, recertification intervals, and role-based qualifications for technicians, operators, inspectors, and leads
• Conduct classroom, shop-floor, and virtual instruction; qualify trainers and designated OJT coaches; observe work to verify transfer of training to the floor
• Partner with Quality and Operations on nonconformance, escape, and CAPA trends; design targeted retraining or process-standardization training when human-factor or skill gaps are identified
• Lead new-hire operations onboarding and process-change training so production teams are qualified before work is released
• Evaluate training effectiveness using assessments, observation, first-pass yield / rework indicators, and trainee and supervisor feedback; revise content accordingly
• Manage training calendars, room and equipment logistics, and vendor or OEM training when specialized equipment or processes require external instruction
• Contribute to continuous improvement of work instructions and standard work so training material matches the current approved process
• Uphold a professional, respectful training environment and model operational excellence, safety, and quality culture on the floor

What you'll bring:

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM), or related field; OR equivalent years of relevant aerospace / manufacturing experience
• 5+ years of experience in aerospace, defense, or similarly regulated manufacturing operations (production, integration, test, quality, or technical training)
• Experience developing and delivering technical or shop-floor training (classroom, OJT, or blended)
• Experience reading and interpreting engineering drawings, work instructions, process specifications, and quality procedures

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in aerospace, space, defense, or other highly regulated manufacturing industries
• Experience with space-grade materials and manufacturing processes
• Experience in environmental testing for space applications
• Experience with IPC standards (e.g., J-STD-001, IPC-A-610, IPC/WHMA-A-620), or company equivalent workmanship standards
• Experience with NASA standards for production build, test, and inspection standards

Benefits and Perks

• Join a team of best-in-class engineers building the foundation of planetary surface exploration
• Equity ownership in the company
• Comprehensive health benefits, including medical, dental, vision, and mental health support
• 401(k) plan with company match
• Flexible PTO and parental leave
• Weekly lunch stipend, plus complimentary snacks and beverages on-site
• Once a month social hour on-site with food and drinks