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

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.