Senior Build Engineer, Airframe Composites Manufacturing

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 passionate engineers dedicated to advancing aerospace. We’re generalists with specialist depth, united by a flat structure and a shared obsession with building things that work well. We move fast, stay pragmatic, and let engineering excellence speak louder than hierarchy.WHO YOU ARE:You're an engineer with a solid understanding of composite materials and manufacturing techniques, able to rapidly develop a manufacturing process from the ground up to turn engineering data into real hardware. You thrive in a hands-on, interdisciplinary environment where seamless collaboration with design, production, quality, supply chain and all other supporting teams is critical to achieving success. You're excited about building an aircraft manufacturing line from scratch and partnering closely with our manufacturing leaders to build a next-generation aircraft factory.WHAT YOU’LL DO:Help stand up Astro Mechanica's airframe manufacturing operation from scratch, including facilities, workflows, tooling concepts, equipment and consumables needs, with a focus on both rapid implementation and future scalabilityWork directly with the airframe engineering and design teams to translate designs, analyses, and requirements into executable manufacturing plansSupport and coordinate layup, bonding, curing, trimming, assembly, and rework activities to meet aggressive development milestonesEstablish and continuously improve manufacturing processes, build sequences, tooling approaches, and process documentationMaintain strong presence on production floor to drive builds and resolve issuesCollaborate cross-functionally with Design, Tooling, Quality, and Production teams to ensure manufacturability and smooth executionCreate manufacturing instructions and support development of internal processes specificationsDesign tools and fixtures directly or via collaboration with internal tool design team or contractors (Also support management of tool schedule and delivery to factory and setup)Be responsible for quality inspection of the products you will produceCollaborate with suppliers to develop processes, procure composite parts and materialsPerform first article inspections to ensure initial builds meet dimensional and quality standardsSeek out new manufacturing techniques and technologies that will increase manufacturing throughput and qualityWHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR:7+ years of experience in high variability composite manufacturing, including prototyping and airframe fabricationExperience working with composite materials and processes (prepreg layup, wet layup, bonding, curing, trimming, repair, drilling and fastening)Experience developing manufacturing processes for complex composite layups and/or aerostructure assemblies from the ground upExperience working with metallic airframe components and composite-to-metal interfacesExperience building or scaling manufacturing operations, labs, or shops in a development or flight hardware environmentExperience mentoring and partnering with techniciansExperience working directly from engineering drawings, ply books, CAD models, and evolving build definitionsStrong project management skillsProficiency in at least one industry standard CAD system, preferably NXDemonstrated experience designing and developing composite tools and/or assembly fixturesStrong understanding of GD&TExperience providing DFM feedbackExperience with quality inspection methods (dimensional, NDI, in-process)Familiarity with destructive and non-destructive test methods common to composites manufacturingNICE TO HAVE:Experience with PLM and/or MES systemsExperience working with laser projection systems to aid composite manufacturing and assembly processesExperience with CNC ply cutting tools and ply pattern generation in CADExperience with AFP/ATL manufacturing systemsExperience with CAM systems from both a programming and operating perspectiveExperience with mechanical design, assembly of mechanical systemsExperience with aircraft or spacecraft integrationExperience with metrology tools (CMM, Laser tracker)Experience manufacturing large structuresExperience in high-volume manufacturing environmentPERKS & BENEFITS:Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, including Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)401(k) program and transparent stock option planSelf-managed and flexible time-off policy, including PTO, paid holidays, and sick timeFlexible work environmentADDITIONAL 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.