CNC Lathe Machinist I and II, Prototype Shop

Varda Space Industries•El Segundo, CA

3d•$29 - $55•Onsite

About The Position

Varda Space Industries is seeking a CNC Lathe Machinist to support its in-house prototype shop in El Segundo, California. The role programs, sets up, and operates CNC equipment—particularly CNC lathes—to manufacture complex, one-off aerospace prototype and flight-support components. The machinist owns work from CAM programming through fixturing, tool selection, process optimization, on-machine probing, and final inspection. The role emphasizes expert Mastercam skills, precision, and delivery under tight, changing deadlines. As part of a high-cadence aerospace environment, the machinist handles complex, urgent work that commercial vendors may not be able to complete. The position partners with engineers and other teams to provide Design for Manufacturability feedback, communicate through digital work orders and CAD/CAM notes, and help translate designs into physical hardware. The machinist also contributes to a collaborative shop culture by sharing expertise, mentoring peers, troubleshooting setups, and cross-training as shop needs evolve. The position is on-site in El Segundo, California. Candidates must be U.S. persons as defined in the posting, including U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, or protected individuals admitted as refugees or granted asylum. Pay is listed at $29–$40 per hour for Level 1 and $40–$55 per hour for Level 2. Leveling and base salary depend on job-related skills, education, experience, and performance. The role is eligible for incentives in the form of stock options and/or long-term cash awards.

Requirements

Level 1: 1–4 years of experience; Level 2: 5 or more years of hands-on manual and CNC machining experience in a fast-paced prototype, aerospace, R&D, or advanced manufacturing environment.
Expert-level proficiency in Mastercam programming for complex CNC lathe work.
Deep, hands-on operational and programming experience with CNC lathes.
Strong knowledge of GD&T, blueprint interpretation, and inspection.
Exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate and communicate digitally with people of varied backgrounds and personalities.
Comfort working in an environment where priorities change quickly.
U.S. citizenship, lawful permanent residency, or another qualifying U.S.-person status to comply with ITAR regulations.

Responsibilities

Use Mastercam to program, set up, and operate CNC equipment, with a heavy emphasis on CNC lathes and complex geometries.
Fabricate challenging prototype and flight-support components from diverse aerospace materials under tight, rapidly evolving deadlines.
Own the manufacturing process from CAM programming through fixturing, tool selection, optimization, on-machine probing, and final inspection or verification.
Handle high-priority, complex work that commercial vendors cannot turn around or execute, serving as a link between design concepts and physical hardware.
Adapt to changing priorities and project scopes without sacrificing part integrity or precision.
Maintain quality through in-process inspection and collaboration with quality assurance.
Provide proactive Design for Manufacturability feedback to help optimize part designs for efficiency, strength, and manufacturability.
Collaborate with engineers and peers through digital work orders, CAD/CAM notes, and direct communication.
Share expertise, mentor peers, and troubleshoot setups collaboratively.
Share CNC lathe and Mastercam knowledge while cross-training on other machines and processes as shop needs evolve.