Job Details
The Company
Astra's mission is to Improve Life on Earth from Space by creating a healthier and more connected planet. Today, Astra offers one of the lowest cost-per-launch dedicated orbital launch services of any operational launch provider in the world, and one of the industry's firstflight-proven electric propulsion systems for satellites, Astra Spacecraft Engine. Astra delivered its first commercial launch to low Earth orbit in 2021, making it the fastest company in history to reach this milestone, just five years after it was founded in 2016. Astra (NASDAQ: ASTR) was the first space launch company to be publicly traded on Nasdaq.
The Team
The Machine Shop Team is a highly skilled group of machinists and fabricators that bring our company's designs to life. The team is responsible for taking raw materials to finished form, while observing dimensional requirements and schedule constraints. The goal is always to produce finished parts that are of higher quality, lower cost, and to make them faster than any other shop!
The Opportunity
As our Quality Control Technician, you are our source of truth on matters related to inspection of physical parts. We rely on you to employ precision measurement tools and CMMs in order to evaluate dimensional accuracy of machined parts and to document the results. Best practices in the application of geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) are applied in the setup and inspection of parts in a variety of materials and complexities. Results and recommendations are effectively communicated to engineers and machinists in adherence with Astra processes. This is a strong individual contributor role that will report directly to the QC Manager.
How You'll Fulfill Your Mission
- Inspect set up, in-process, and finished machined parts against drawings produced by our engineers. You will employ a variety of precision measurement instruments including micrometers, calipers, gage pins and blocks, and more. Surface plate use will be routine. You are able to employ portable CMMs, VMMs, and profilometers.
- Program CMMs using software such as MODUS.
- Devise inspection setups as necessary. This includes building go/no-go gages, design of surface plate inspection setups for a variety of complex parts, and acquiring and setting up CMM tooling as required for incoming jobs.
- Expand the capability and influence of the QC department by developing processes and procedures that ensure part quality is balanced with economy. You have experience with mature quality systems and can apply those skills as needed.
- Communicate and document inspection results in the pursuit of accountability and traceability. You are a strong written and verbal communicator, with good people skills, and are able to make yourself approachable without fail.
- Apply a deep understanding of GD&T, and offer your knowledge to others if needed.
- Participate in a team-first shop atmosphere that emphasizes inclusion and opportunity. The skill and experience that you bring from the field of metrology should level-up the whole team.
- Improve shop effectiveness by identifying bottlenecks and recurring issues. You have an understanding of what continuous improvement looks like, and you leverage your position as Quality Control Technician to support that end.
Why We Value You- 2+ years' experience working in the inspection field
- You have worked for a manufacturer that is ISO9001 certified, or under a comparable quality system with an understanding of the documentation requirements of Quality Control
- Conduct routine visual and dimensional inspection of parts made in house or by vendors
- Study drawings to determine methods or sequences of operations needed to inspect products
- You have expert proficiency working with measuring instruments such as calipers, micrometers, hard gages, surface plate techniques, etc.
- You can interpret inspection results, compare them to established specifications and make clear judgement calls
- Champion proper use and interpretation of GD&T to both machinists and designers
- Validate and maintain metrology equipment including compliant calibration traceability
- Ensure lab cleanliness, safety, and environmental requirements are maintained
- Program coordinate measurement machines (CMMs) using necessary software such as MODUS
- Confer with management, engineering, or other manufacturing personnel to exchange technical information
- Comply with disposition procedures in place for handling non-conforming materials
- You must hold yourself to a high standard of professionalism
- You are skilled with Excel and Word, have basic CAD proficiency
- You undertake projects and tasks with a distinct attention to detail, a sense of urgency, and an optimistic attitude
- You are dedicated to the quality of your work, and the quality of the parts that the shop produces
- You are committed to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive environment
- You are always looking for ways to make yourself and your team faster, stronger, and happier!
Desired Multipliers- 5+ years of hands-on experience working in a professional shop environment in the areas of quality control, inspection, or similar
- Experience working in an aerospace quality environment
- Experience working in the quality control department in a high-mix, fast paced job shop
- CAM experience
- Coursework or certifications in the area of QA/QC
- Direct experience working as a machinist or fabricator
- Trained in an engineering or design discipline
- Experience in a QA/QC profession
$35.96 - $44.95 an hour
The stated compensation range reflects only the targeted base salary range in the San Francisco Bay Area and excludes additional earnings such as bonus and benefits. If your salary requirements fall outside of the range, we still encourage you to apply.
ITAR Requirements: This position requires compliance with U.S. Government space technology trade restrictions, specifically the International Trafficking in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Export Administration Regulations (EAR) and additional regulations governing satellite, launch vehicle, missile, and other related technologies. All jobs restricted by these regulations will be contingent upon the applicant's status as a documented U.S. Person or their ability to receive a trade license from the cognizant government agency; in addition to any required company background checks and in compliance with applicable U.S. and California laws. Similarly, positions requiring the ability to work on government contracts or a security clearance are also contingent upon the applicants ability to receive the appropriate clearance and be allowed to work on U.S. government contracts.
You do not need to match every listed expectation to apply for this position. Here at Astra, we know that diverse perspectives foster the innovation we need to be successful, and we are committed to building a team that encompasses a variety of backgrounds, experiences, and skills.
San Francisco Applicants: Astra will consider applicants with arrest and conviction records (criminal histories) in a manner consistent with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.