Job Description
Job Description
Overview
Fabrication Technician
LOCATION: NASA Ames Research Center
JOB STATUS: Full-time
CLEARANCE: NASA Ames site security badge and identity credentials.
CERTIFICATION:
TRAVEL: As Needed
SALARY: 40.00-45.00/hour
Astrion has an exciting opportunity for a Fabrication Technician located at NASA Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, CA. Astrion has worked extensively with the NASA where it has earned a reputation for on-time delivery of high-quality products tailored to the needs of its customers.
In this role, you will work directly within the NASA Ames Fabrication Shop to manufacture complex, one-of-a-kind flight hardware, prototypes, small satellite components, and ground support equipment. You will collaborate closely with NASA civil servants, scientists, and Astrion engineers to turn advanced concepts into high-precision physical hardware supporting space science and aeronautics missions.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS / SKILLS
- Proficiency in multi-axis CNC programming, setup, operation, and troubleshooting.
- Background in welding
- Strong proficiency in SW and Programming tools such as SolidWorks, Creo, AutoCAD, MATLAB, Python, etc
- Strong background in Systems and Facilities
- Experience working under stringent aerospace quality management systems (AS9100).
- Minimum of a High School Diploma, Bachelor’s in Engineering Strongly desired
- 5+ Years of aerospace/prototype precision machining experience
- Must be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident; Must be able to obtain and maintain a NASA Ames site security badge and identity credentials.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS / SKILLS
- Prior experience working on an engineering services contract at a NASA center or DoD facility.
- Experience with satellite/payload hardware fabrication, vacuum/cleanroom components, or sheet metal fabrication.
- Experience with additive manufacturing (metal or high-performance polymer 3D printing).
- Exceptional customer relationship management highly desirable
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Precision Manufacturing: Program, set up, and operate multi-axis CNC mills, CNC lathes, wire EDM, and manual machine tools to fabricate flight-certified hardware to tight tolerances.
- Model & Drawing Interpretation: Interpret complex 3D CAD models, engineering drawings, and Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing (GD&T per ASME Y14.5).
- CAM Programming: Utilize Mastercam, Fusion 360, or equivalent software to generate and optimize multi-axis toolpaths for flight and prototype hardware.
- Specialized Materials: Machine high-performance materials including titanium, Inconel, stainless steels, aluminum alloys, structural plastics, and ceramics.
- Inspection & Quality Compliance: Perform in-process and final inspection using CMM, optical comparators, and precision hand tools in compliance with AS9100 / ISO 9001 and NASA quality assurance standards.
- Engineering Collaboration: Provide Design for Manufacturability (DFM) input to NASA project teams to lower costs, shorten lead times, and optimize hardware designs.
- Safety & Operations: Maintain foreign object debris (FOD) control, follow NASA Ames shop safety rules, and document fabrication processes accurately in work order routing records.