Senior CNC 5-Axis Mill Machinist, Prototype Shop

About Varda

Low Earth orbit is open for business. Varda is accelerating the development of commercial space infrastructure, from in-orbit pharmaceutical processing to reliable and economical reentry capsules. Varda’s W-Series vehicles are built, designed, and operated by Varda in-house, including the pharmaceutical processing payloads, the capsules, the C-PICA heat shields, and the satellite buses.

From life-saving pharmaceuticals to more powerful fiber optics, there is a world of products used on Earth today that can only be manufactured in space. Varda is accelerating innovation in the orbital economy by creating both the products and infrastructure needed so space can directly benefit life on Earth. Our mission is to expand the economic bounds of humankind.

Our team is uniquely suited to accomplishing this goal, with leadership and staff comprised of veterans from SpaceX, Blue Origin, major pharmaceutical companies and Silicon Valley. Varda was founded in January 2021 by Will Bruey and Delian Asparouhov with significant backing from world class investors including Khosla Ventures, Lux Capital, Founders Fund, Caffeinated Capital, General Catalyst, and Also Capital.

Varda is headquartered in El Segundo, California, where we have offices and a production facility where our vehicles, equipment, and materials are built, integrated, and tested. Varda also has offices in Washington, DC and Huntsville, AL.

Join Varda, and work to create a bustling in-space ecosystem.

About This Role

Varda is seeking a Senior 5-axis CNC Mill Machinist to anchor our prototyping capabilities. In this role, you will leverage extensive Mastercam expertise and advanced 5-axis CNC mill experience to program, set up, and execute complex, one-off aerospace components. Beyond machining mastery, you will serve as a vital cross-functional partner, collaborating digitally and interpersonally with all teams to drive Design for Manufacturability (DFM) in an environment where speed and flexibility are paramount.

As a part of the captive prototype machine shop embedded directly within this high-cadence aerospace environment, you’re a critical moving part of this internal engine that addresses the complex, high-urgency work that most job shops simply cannot. We thrive on the momentum of real hardware coming back from flight. The requirement is not just machine parts. As a team we are looking forward to work together. Building an efficient prototype environment where we lean into each other's strengths and cross-train as opportunities arise.

Responsibilities

Advanced Machining & 5-Axis Programming

• Use Mastercam to program, set up, and operate multi-axis CNC equipment, with a heavy emphasis on 5-axis CNC mills and complex geometries.
• Fabricate challenging prototype and flight-support components from diverse aerospace materials under tight, rapidly evolving deadlines.
• Own the manufacturing process from CAM programming through fixturing, tool selection, optimization, on-machine probing, and final inspection/verification.

Captive Shop Agility & Rapid-Response Prototyping

• Mindset: A hands-on builder's mentality who embraces continuous improvement and loves seeing physical hardware come to life, test, and fly.
• Handle high-priority, complex work that commercial vendors cannot turn around or execute, acting as the critical link between design concept and physical hardware.
• Adapt seamlessly when priorities change, managing shifting project scopes without sacrificing part integrity or precision.
• Maintain rigorous quality standards through in-process inspection and close collaboration with quality assurance.

Design for Manufacturability (DFM) & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Strong knowledge of GD&T, blueprint interpretation and inspection allowing you to partner with any team to offer proactive Design for Manufacturability (DFM) feedback, optimizing part designs for efficiency, strength, and manufacturability.
• Work collaboratively and digitally with engineers and peers of all backgrounds and personalities, ensuring transparent communication through digital work orders, CAD/CAM notes, and direct dialogue.

Team Contribution & Cross-Training Culture

• Actively contributes to building a cohesive, high-performing shop floor by sharing your expertise, mentoring peers, and troubleshooting setups collaboratively.
• Embrace a cross-training mindset—sharing your specialized 5-axis and Mastercam knowledge while stepping outside your comfort zone to learn other machines and processes as shop needs evolve.

Basic Qualifications

• 5+ years of hands-on Manual and CNC machining experience within a fast-paced prototype, aerospace, R&D, or advanced manufacturing environment.
• Proficiency in Mastercam programming for complex multi-axis milling.
• Deep, hands-on operational and programming background with 5-axis CNC mills and part fixturing you’ve designed to hold in a free state along with zero point fixturing.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively and digitally with all personalities. Comfortable thriving in an environment where priorities change quickly.
• U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residency to comply with ITAR regulations.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• 10+ years of hands-on experience in manual and CNC machining, including advanced 5-axis operations.
• Experience designing and fabricating complex fixturing and work-holding solutions.
• Advanced knowledge of multi-tasking machine operations, such as mill-turns and live-tool lathes.
• Mastery in troubleshooting machining challenges and implementing process improvements.
• Familiarity with production tracking tools (e.g., Jira) and continuous improvement methodologies.

Pay Range

• Salary Range: $46.75/hr - $63.25/hr
• This role is on-sitein El Segundo, CA
• Leveling and base salary is determined by job-related skills, education level, experience level, and job performance
• You will be eligible for incentives in the form of stock options and/or long-term cash awards

ITAR Requirements

Varda, like all employers, must ensure that its employees working in the United States are lawfully authorized to work in the U.S. Additionally, our employees are exposed to and have access to certain export-controlled items. Because our employees are provided access to export-controlled items, our policy is to only hire “U.S. persons” who are permitted to have access to our technology without an export license.

“US person” means: U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident, or protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) (i.e., individual admitted to the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum).

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