Department: Manufacturing

Location: Redondo Beach

Compensation: $150,000 - $190,000 / year

Description

As a Machine Shop Manager at Impulse, you will be responsible for building a machine shop that is exceptional at challenging and improving engineering designs for manufacturability, creating and standardizing innovative machining technologies, growing and developing a world class team, and building a system that is designed to scale.

Responsibilities

• Build, mentor, and develop a world-class team of machinists, programmers, and technicians, fostering a culture of technical excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement
• Develop, implement and maintain machining processes and strategies that drive high throughput of new products through the machine shop with intense regard towards scalability
• Challenge engineering designs and drawings to optimize manufacturability at both internal and external shops. Collaborate closely with engineering, supply chain, and quality teams to integrate design-for-manufacturing (DFM) principles, ensuring manufacturability and cost-effectiveness
• Machine flight critical hardware, optimize manufacturing processes, and drive operational efficiency, throughput, and quality. Ensure machining processes meet aggressive production rate targets
• Lead and scale a high-performing machine shop, overseeing CNC machining, multi-axis milling, and precision manufacturing to support aerospace-grade component production
• Own full accountability for machine shop performance, driving improvements in lead time, tooling strategies, workflow efficiency, and overall production scalability
• Experience and willingness to implement advanced machining technologies such as skiving, machining of large 5-axis parts, swiss machining, etc
  
  
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalency certificate
• 5+ years of experience in machining and precision manufacturing, with at least 2 years in a leadership role supporting machine shop operations in aerospace, automotive, or other high-precision industries
• Demonstrated expertise in CNC machining, high-speed milling, multi-axis machining, and tight-tolerance manufacturing, particularly with aerospace-grade materials like titanium, Inconel, copper, and aluminum
• Demonstrated experience leading & optimizing high-performing machining centers, driving efficiency, throughput, and process reliability while maintaining strict quality standards
• Strong leadership skills with a track record of building and mentoring high-performing machinist and programming teams, fostering a culture of accountability and technical excellence
• Hands-on problem-solving mindset, with expertise in design for manufacturing, CAM software (e.g., Mastercam, NX), ERP/MES systems, and real-time production monitoring to optimize workflow and machine utilization
  
  
  
  

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Experience scaling high-rate aerospace machining operations, optimizing cycle times, and implementing lights-out manufacturing with automation
• Background in additive manufacturing, hybrid machining, or advanced material processing to support next-generation aerospace component production
• 5+ years' of demonstrated experience with aerospace manufacturing standards (AS9100, NADCAP, ITAR compliance) with experience leading teams through rigorous certification and audit processes
• Expertise with lean manufacturing, Six Sigma methodologies, and statistical process control (SPC) to drive continuous improvement and waste reduction in machining operations
  
  

Additional Information:

Compensation bands are determined by role, level, location, and alignment with market data. Individual level and base pay is determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on job-related skills, education, experience, technical capabilities and internal equity. In addition to base salary, for full-time hires, you may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of stock options, and access to medical, vision & dental coverage as well as access to a 401(k) retirement plan.


To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.

Impulse Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Impulse Space is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.