Sr Manufacturing Engineer
- ITAR / US person
How this pay compares
This posting states $140k–$180k a year. Open manufacturing engineer jobs in California post a median of $141k a year, the middle half $130k–$163k, across 205 jobs that state their pay, so this one is within the middle half of what they post.
Manufacturing engineers in California: pay by town and employer
About the job
## The Opportunity As a Manufacturing Engineer, you will help develop and improve the processes used to build Astra hardware safely, repeatedly, and efficiently. You will work closely with Design Engineering, Quality, Production, Supply Chain, and Operations to turn engineering requirements into clear manufacturing plans, documentation, and production processes.
This is a hands-on role for someone who is comfortable on the production floor, enjoys solving build issues, and can create structure in a fast-moving environment.
The ideal candidate has strong manufacturing fundamentals, understands DFM/DFA, can read engineering drawings, and knows how to turn design intent into a practical build process. ## How You'll Fulfill Your Mission - Develop and maintain manufacturing processes, routings, work instructions, and standard work from prototype through production. - Translate engineering designs, drawings, BOMs, and specifications into clear manufacturing methods, including operation sequence, tooling needs, inspection points, and process controls. - Support first builds, pilot builds, production readiness, and transition-to-production activities. - Provide day-to-day production support to resolve build issues, documentation gaps, nonconformances, and production blockers. - Partner with Design Engineering to provide DFM/DFA feedback that improves manufacturability, assembly flow, quality, and repeatability. - Partner with Quality to define acceptance criteria, inspection needs, traceability requirements, and manufacturing risk controls. - Support tooling, fixture, equipment, layout, and capacity needs required to scale production. - Use manufacturing data, root cause analysis, and Lean principles to improve quality, reduce cycle time, and increase throughput. - Train production personnel on new processes, documentation, tools, and production standards. ## Why We Value You - You have a bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical field. - You have 5+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering or a similar role. - You have experience developing manufacturing processes, routings, work instructions, standard work, or production documentation. - You can read and interpret engineering drawings, BOMs, specifications, and quality requirements. - You have working knowledge of GD&T and understand how drawing requirements impacts manufacturing, inspection, and assembly. - You understand DFM/DFA principles and can provide practical feedback to improve manufacturability and assembly execution. - You are comfortable working directly with technicians, operators, engineers, and cross-functional teams. - You are organized, hands-on, and able to solve problems in a fast-paced production environment. - You communicate clearly and take ownership until issues are resolved, and processes are stable. ## Desired Multipliers - Experience working in aerospace or propulsion hardware manufacturing. - Experience designing with CAD supporting fixtures, tools, templates, or production aids. - Experience with MES, ERP, PLM, or manufacturing execution systems. - Experience with new product introduction, production readiness, prototype builds, or production ramp. - Experience with Lean manufacturing, root cause analysis, PFMEA, control plans, or process validation. - Experience with equipment implementation, layout planning, capacity analysis, or line balancing.
The pay range for this role is: $140,000 - $180,000 per year ## Salary and Benefits We're competitive in compensation and offer equity as part of the package. We have great benefits that include health, vision, dental, and 401K in comparison to other startups. We provide lunch and there's plenty of snacks and drinks to get you through the day.
We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation. 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. ## © Astra Space Operations, LLC. All rights reserved, Astra is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace.
We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.
We encourage people of different backgrounds, experiences, abilities, and perspectives to apply. 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. 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, and one of the industry’s leading flight-proven electric propulsion systems for satellites, the Astra Spacecraft Engine.
From Astra's job posting, checked 7 Nov 2026. The employer's own page is the final word on requirements and availability.
Selected agencies hiring now
Moseley Technical ServicesEngineering and technical staffing agency
Engineering and technical staffing firm in Huntsville, Alabama, placing engineers and A&P, sheet metal, CNC and quality technicians.
Places: Propulsion, Mechanical, Avionics, RF & Payloads
NESC Staffing (Nesco Resource)Engineering and technical staffing agency
Engineering and technical staffing firm placing engineers, designers, technicians and manufacturing staff on contract and direct hire.
Places: Mechanical, Avionics, Systems & Test, Technicians
These agencies and apps pay SpaceJobs.Now a referral fee when someone we introduce is placed or signs up. It costs you nothing and never changes your pay. Employers' own jobs below keep their own order.
Sponsored jobs from job networks, which pay SpaceJobs.Now when you click one.
Free tools for this application: check your resume against this job, answer the application's questions or see every free tool.
New space manufacturing and technician jobs in California, by email
One email a week with the newest ones, straight from the employers' own careers sites, with the pay each posting states. Free, stop anytime.
About Astra
Rockets and rocket engines, built in Alameda, California.
Pay on its listings: 72.2% of its open jobs state an hourly rate
How it pays: Paid as an employee on Astra's own payroll (salaried or hourly, as each posting states).
More open jobs at Astra
- Sr Quality Engineer
- Quality Control Technician$40–$50/hr
- Sr Systems Engineer$140,000–$180,000/yr
- Test Technician III (Castle)$28–$37/hr
- 2026 Winter/Spring Intern (Dec-Apr)$22/hr
- Staff Development Test Engineer$160,000–$190,000/yr
More space manufacturing and technician jobs
- Senior Manufacturing Engineer I - Avionics & Test$115,200–$144,000/yr
- Senior Manufacturing Engineer II - Avionics & Test$132,000–$176,000/yr
- Manufacturing Engineer$100,000–$130,000/yr
- Manufacturing Engineer (Tanks)$68,000–$80,000/yr
- CNC Lathe Machinist I and II, Prototype Shop$29–$40/hr
- Manufacturing Engineer, Machining & Additive Associate (Winter 2027)$1,925/wk
A certified technician, machinist or welder?
One profile for every employer here. Space companies and their recruiters ask us for people with a specific degree, clearance, specialty or location: add yours once, and when a job fits, we introduce you, only with your yes. Free.
Astra openings, sent to you weekly
Each week we send the newest postings from Astra's own careers site, along with similar openings at other space employers. It costs nothing and you can stop anytime.