Sr Manufacturing Engineer

Astra • Alameda, CA

115d • $140,000 - $180,000

About The Position

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.

The position requires compliance with U.S. Government space technology trade restrictions, including ITAR and EAR. Employment in regulated work is contingent upon the applicant being a documented U.S. Person or being able to receive a trade license from the relevant government agency, as well as satisfying applicable background checks and legal requirements. Roles involving government contracts or security clearances are also contingent upon eligibility to obtain the required clearance and work on U.S. government contracts.

Requirements

• 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 understanding of how drawing requirements affect manufacturing, inspection, and assembly.
• Understanding of DFM/DFA principles and ability to provide practical feedback to improve manufacturability and assembly execution.
• Comfort working directly with technicians, operators, engineers, and cross-functional teams.
• Organized, hands-on approach and ability to solve problems in a fast-paced production environment.
• Clear communication and ownership through resolution of issues and stabilization of processes.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working in aerospace or propulsion hardware manufacturing.
• Experience designing with CAD to support 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.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain manufacturing processes, routings, work instructions, and standard work from prototype through production.
• Translate engineering designs, drawings, BOMs, and specifications into 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.

Benefits

• Equity as part of the compensation package.
• Health benefits.
• Vision benefits.
• Dental benefits.
• 401(k).
• Lunch provided.
• Snacks and drinks provided.
• Reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities during the application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other employment benefits and privileges.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior