Head of Build

ABOUT US:

Astro Mechanica is a vertically integrated aerospace company building a faster, more connected future. Our mission is to democratize high-speed flight by making supersonic travel flexible, accessible, and sustainable. We believe that rapid, on-demand, point-to-point global mobility will become the new standard for moving people and goods across the planet. To achieve this, we are integrating our advanced airframe and engine technologies—which include Duality™, our proprietary dual-use propulsion system—with a new flight operations model to make supersonic transport as efficient and economical as commercial air travel is today. In the near term, we are developing adaptable, high-speed systems to close aircraft performance gaps for the United States government.

WHO WE ARE:

We're a team of hardcore engineers who live and breathe aerospace. We’re generalists who each have subject matter expertise and operate in a flat organizational structure. We move fast and build world-changing technology in a pragmatic and competent workplace culture.

WHO YOU ARE:

You are a builder at heart—someone who thrives at the intersection of advanced manufacturing, prototyping, and leadership. You’ve spent years working in high-mix, low-volume environments, where speed, precision, and adaptability are equally critical. You are hands-on with machines and tools, but equally skilled at building teams, processes, and shops that scale. You get energy from solving hard problems, bringing order to complexity, and enabling others to do their best work. You’re motivated by the idea of building something that has never been built before, and you’re excited to help shape the future of aerospace from the ground up.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

• Lead the build function at Astro Mechanica, establishing a world-class prototyping and manufacturing environment tailored to high-mix, low-volume aerospace systems.

• Own the planning, setup, and scaling of our machine shop, fabrication, and related capabilities as the company grows, ensuring safety, efficiency, and capability expansion.

• Use expertise from a wide range of manufacturing experience to determine which processes are most appropriate to solve a given design challenge.

• Stay current on the latest developments in novel manufacturing techniques in order to bring new possible solutions to Astro Mechanica’s design efforts.

• Oversee the operation and integration of advanced manufacturing technologies—including 5-axis CNC milling, multi-axis turning, and additive manufacturing.

• Partner closely with design, test, and engineering teams to ensure rapid iteration, manufacturability, and seamless integration between design intent and physical build.

• Recruit, mentor, and lead a team of technicians and machinists, fostering a culture of technical excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement.

• Develop robust processes for quality, traceability, and throughput without compromising the speed and flexibility required in early-stage prototyping.

• Serve as the company’s technical authority on build strategy, ensuring Astro Mechanica stays ahead in manufacturing capabilities as we evolve our propulsion systems and aircraft.

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR

• 10+ years of experience in high-mix, low-volume manufacturing and prototyping, particularly within aerospace, defense, or similarly complex, precision-driven industries.

• Hands-on expertise with core tools and systems we use today— 5-axis mill CNC, multi-axis turning, and additive manufacturing—as well as demonstrated ability to rapidly learn and implement new manufacturing techniques and platforms.

• Thoughtful management skills and the ability to lead a growing technical team.

• Proven leadership in shop setup and scaling, including facility design, equipment selection, workflow design, and team growth.

• Strong technical foundation in machining, fabrication, metrology, and advanced manufacturing methods, with a track record of delivering on ambitious build timelines.

• Excellent collaboration skills, with the ability to work across design, engineering, and test teams to translate complex requirements into manufacturable hardware.

• Ambition to work in a fast-paced environment.

PERKS AND BENEFITS:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, including Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)

• 401(k) program and transparent stock option plan

• Self-managed and flexible time-off policy, including PTO, paid holidays, and sick time

• Flexible work environment

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

​​At Astro Mechanica, we highly value in-office work to foster collaboration and strengthen our company culture. We consider working in the office five days a week an essential part of the employee's role.

Astro Mechanica is an equal opportunity employer. We proudly recruit and hire a diverse workforce and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.