Propulsion Machinist (Aerospace)

Location: Los Angeles, California, USA; in-person work at the Playa Vista office. U.S. Person status is required under ITAR.

Company

Apex manufactures satellite buses at scale using software, vertical integration, and hardware designed for manufacturing.

What you will do

• Machine prototype and development hardware for spacecraft propulsion systems using CNC and manual mills and lathes.
• Fabricate quick-turn parts, test-stand hardware, tooling, fixtures, and ground support equipment.
• Set up and operate machine tools, including workholding, tooling, offsets, and machining parameters.
• Work directly with propulsion engineers to translate drawings, CAD models, sketches, and design intent into hardware.
• Select materials and machining processes and provide design-for-manufacturing feedback on machinability, cost, lead time, and quality.
• Inspect completed parts with calipers, micrometers, gauges, and other precision measurement equipment while maintaining a safe, organized shop.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• 3+ years of hands-on machining experience with CNC and/or manual mills and lathes.
• Ability to read engineering drawings, GD&T, CAD models, and technical documentation.
• Experience setting up machine tools, workholding, tooling, and offsets.
• Proficiency with precision measurement and inspection equipment, including calipers, micrometers, and gauges.
• Must be a U.S. Person as defined by ITAR.

Nice to have

• Trade or vocational training, machining apprenticeship, or military machining experience.
• CNC programming with G-code and CAM software such as Fusion 360 or Mastercam.
• Experience machining aluminum, stainless steel, titanium, exotic alloys, propulsion hardware, fluid systems, vacuum systems, or aerospace flight hardware.
• Welding, sheet metal, additional fabrication, or contamination-control experience.

Culture & Benefits

• Full-time employees receive Apex equity.
• Company-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and dependents, plus life insurance.
• Paid vacation, paid holidays, parental leave, and childcare reimbursement for work-related travel.
• 401(k) plan with employer matching.
• Catered lunch, snacks, employee events, and tools for an in-person collaborative work environment.