About the Company
At AstroForge, our mission is to make space resources accessible on Earth. We mine asteroids to extract valuable minerals in space at a lower cost and smaller carbon footprint than current terrestrial mining methods. Along the way, we seek to leverage the technologies we build to provide additional value across other domains. We offer a unique opportunity to join an exciting team looking to expand humanity’s capabilities in space.
Job Description
AstroForge is excited to offer a hands-on opportunity for a detail-oriented Fabrication Technician to join our fast-moving hardware team. The selected candidate will be instrumental in building, assembling, and testing critical components that enable our spacecraft and payload systems. In our low-volume development environment, you will work directly with engineers to turn evolving designs into finished hardware. This role requires prior hands-on fabrication experience in aerospace or an aerospace-adjacent industry.
Responsibilities
- Fabricate and modify structural and mechanical parts, fabricated subassemblies, tooling, and test fixtures from engineering drawings, CAD models, and approved work instructions.
- Perform machining, welding, sheet metal fabrication, and finishing using appropriate shop equipment, including mills, lathes, welders, grinders, and sheet metal tools.
- Prepare material, plan fabrication steps, and establish tooling and setups; clarify dimensions, tolerances, and material requirements before starting work.
- Perform drilling, tapping, reaming, countersinking, deburring, and other finishing operations as required by the drawing and process.
- Inspect dimensions, geometry, and workmanship throughout fabrication using precision measurement tools; document results and flag out-of-tolerance conditions.
- Work with engineers to improve manufacturability and tooling. Confirm drawing revisions and implement approved design changes or rework while maintaining part identification and fabrication records.
- Deliver completed parts and fixtures to the assembly and test teams, support fit checks, and make engineering-approved modifications.
- Maintain shop equipment, tools, and a safe, organized work area; protect materials and finished hardware from damage, contamination, and foreign object debris (FOD).
Requirements
- 4+ years of hands-on experience fabricating precision mechanical parts or tooling in aerospace or an aerospace-adjacent industry.
- 2+ years of hands-on experience setting up and operating precision sheet metal equipment (press brakes, waterjets/lasers, shears, and rollers) with an understanding of bend deductions and flat pattern layouts.
- Practical working skills in machining, welding, and sheet metal fabrication, with demonstrated strength in at least one discipline and the ability to work across the others.
- Ability to interpret engineering drawings and blueprints, CAD models, geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T), and fabrication instructions.
- Experience verifying your own work with calipers, micrometers, and other suitable inspection tools.
- Knowledge of fabrication and handling practices for aluminum, stainless steel, and other aerospace materials. Experience with titanium or composite hardware is a plus.
- Ability to troubleshoot fabrication problems, communicate clearly with engineers, and adapt to design revisions while maintaining accurate records, workmanship, and safety.
- Ability to complete assigned work independently and seek engineering input when requirements or proposed changes are unclear.
Benefits
- 100% paid medical, dental, and life insurance coverage
- Vision and FSA benefits available
- 3 weeks of PTO + 1 week of sick time
- 10 paid Holidays
- Retirement savings plan – 401(k), with company match
- Equity on the ground floor of a startup
Salary
$35-45 per hour
ITAR Requirements
To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by ITAR (22 CFR §120.15), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.
We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.