Airframe Manufacturing Lead

ABOUT US:

Astro Mechanica is a vertically integrated aerospace company developing a scalable technology platform to power critical infrastructure, mission operations, and the future of flight. We apply aerospace engineering and quality standards across our products, delivering high performance, reliability, and efficiency for the most demanding operating environments. Astro Mechanica is backed by leading venture and strategic investors, including Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), Giant Step Capital, United Airlines Ventures, and Voyager Ventures.

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:

• A hands-on airframe manufacturing leader with deep expertise in composite structures and bonded assemblies

• Comfortable building a manufacturing function from the ground up—facilities, processes, tooling, and teams

• A tactical leader who thrives on the shop floor, leading by example and mentoring technicians through complex builds

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

You will own Astro Mechanica’s supersonic plane build. Working with our Director of Manufacturing, you’ll lead a team turning designs into real hardware, making sure parts get built, assemblies come together, and problems get solved efficiently as the airplane takes shape.

• Work with senior engineering leadership to stand up Astro Mechanica’s airframe manufacturing function from scratch, including facilities, workflows, tooling concepts, and technician teams

• Own day-to-day operations of in-house airframe manufacturing, with a focus on composite structures and assemblies

• Work directly with the airframe engineering and design teams to translate designs, analyses, and requirements into executable manufacturing plans

• Partner closely with senior engineering leadership to align manufacturing strategy with program goals, schedules, and technical risk reduction

• Lead, schedule, and develop composite technicians and fabricators while maintaining a strong hands-on presence on the shop floor

• Supervise and coordinate layup, bonding, curing, trimming, assembly, and rework activities to meet aggressive development milestones

• Establish and continuously improve work instructions, build sequences, tooling approaches, and process documentation

• Ensure safe and effective operation of composite manufacturing equipment including autoclaves, ovens, freezers, layup tools, trimming equipment, and inspection tools

• Drive a culture of quality, accountability, and pride in workmanship across the airframe manufacturing team

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR:

• 10+ years of experience in high-mix, low-volume composite manufacturing, prototyping, or airframe fabrication, preferably in aerospace or defense

• Strong hands-on knowledge of composite materials and processes (prepreg layup, wet layup, bonding, curing, trimming, and repair)

• Strong hands-on knowledge of metallic materials and processing

• Practical experience working with metallic airframe components and composite-to-metal interfaces

• Experience building or scaling manufacturing operations, labs, or shops in a development or flight hardware environment

• Proven ability to lead and mentor technicians while staying deeply engaged in the technical details

• Ability to work directly from engineering drawings, ply books, CAD models, and evolving build definitions

• Familiarity with aerospace quality standards, inspection practices, and documentation for flight and test hardware

• Practical, execution-focused leadership style with comfort navigating ambiguity and rapid change

• Ambition to build real flight hardware in a fast-moving, high-accountability environment

PERKS & 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.