Machinist

Company Overview

Metrea delivers effects-as-a-service to national security partners across five domains and more than a dozen mission areas. These include airborne ISR, electronic warfare, secure communications, aerial refueling, special air missions, aerial firefighting, and advanced simulation. We own the whole stack: designing, building, and operating turnkey capabilities that give our partners decisive, asymmetric advantage against rapidly evolving threats.

Our operating model is built around three interlocking pillars. The Support Groups provide a global shared-service – spanning people, finance, platform, operations, legal, and engagement. This frees up our Core Groups, who develop and own mission capabilities end-to-end, to focus entirely on delivery. The Market Groups apply a regional lens, ensuring that our agile and adaptable capabilities remain aligned to the wicked problems that matter most to our partners across the Americas, EMEA, and Asia-Pacific.

At the heart of our model is a simple but powerful idea: be a true partner with skin in the game. Our partners need effects, not just equipment. By owning the full stack – from the lab to the field – we are able to drive a continuous cycle of innovation that keeps our partners ahead. It's a fast-moving, intellectually demanding environment where talented people are given real responsibility, work on problems that matter, and contribute to an enterprise that is growing quickly and deliberately.

Headquartered in Washington, DC, with facilities across the United States, the United Kingdom, as well as Continental Europe and Asia-Pacific.

Group Overview

Aerospace Engineering Group (AERO) provides an integrated, end-to-end capability for the rapid modification and fielding of mission-specific aircraft. The Airborne Asset Adaptation (A3) Cell acts as the central command and coordination hub, managing requirements and external interfaces from inception to operational delivery. Specialized technical execution is delivered by the Aircraft Integration Centre (AIC), a Part 145 facility focused on airframe modification, and Aerospace Design (ASD), which provides organic design engineering and FAA-authorized certification. Collectively, these elements bridge the gap between initial requirements and the deployment of flight-certified, mission-ready assets.

Position Summary

The Machinist is responsible for producing high-precision aerospace components on multi-axis CNC equipment in a strict AS9100 / ISO 9001 quality management system environment. This role includes setup, operation, inspection, and full CAM programming of 3-axis and 5-axis parts to exacting aerospace tolerances, ensuring full traceability, process control, and compliance with customer and regulatory requirements. This role will collaborate with our Engineering and Hangar Operations directly and will have to work well with teams to refine prototype and first of kind designs into functional articles for aircraft integration.

What You’ll Do

• Program, set up, and operate 3-axis and 5-axis CNC mills (and lathes as required) to produce complex aerospace components from aluminum, titanium, stainless, Inconel, and other aerospace alloys
• Create, optimize, and maintain CNC programs using CAM software (e.g., Onshapw, Fusion 360 or equivalent) to generate efficient toolpaths, including multi-axis simultaneous machining
• Interpret complex aerospace blueprints, models, and GD&T callouts; perform first-article inspections and in-process checks using micrometers, calipers, height gauges, bore gauges, and CMM as needed
• Work strictly within an AS9100 / ISO 9001 Quality Management System: maintain document control, material traceability, process routers, inspection records, non-conformance reports, and continuous-improvement activities
• Perform machine setups, tool selection/offsetting, fixture design/use, and troubleshooting of programs, tooling, and equipment to achieve tight tolerances and high first-pass yield
• Collaborate with engineering, quality, and production teams on process improvements, new part introductions, and corrective actions
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work environment in accordance with company safety and 5S standards
• Perform other duties as assigned by management.

What You Bring

Required

• Proven ability to produce CAM programs and independently program and operate both 3-axis and 5-axis aerospace parts
• Hands-on experience machining aerospace components in an AS9100 and/or ISO 9000Quality Management System
• Strong blueprint reading and GD&T interpretation skills
• Minimum 3–5 years of CNC machining experience (aerospace preferred), including budgeting, tooling and fixturing decision making and setup and operation of machines
• Proficiency with precision measuring tools and basic inspection methods
• Solid understanding of cutting tools, speeds/feeds, work holding, and material properties common to aerospace alloys

Preferred

• Experience with HAAS mills and equipment
• Familiarity with CMM programming/operation or advanced inspection techniques
• Prior work in an FAA-regulated or defense/aerospace manufacturing environment
• Knowledge of lean manufacturing or continuous-improvement tools
• CAD experience
• Demonstrable ability to assess prototype designs for manufacturability and scale
• Job shop environment background
• FAI process experience
• Willingness to operate other CNC equipment occasionally, as needed

Additional Eligibility Qualifications

• Valid driver’s license
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs and stand for extended periods
• Must be able to pass FAA DOT drug test

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical plan options
• HSA/FSA accounts
• Dental and vision coverage
• 6% employer 401(k) match
• Fully paid parental leave for all new parents
• Generous PTO
• Life and disability insurance
• Long-term and Short-term disability coverage
• AD&D Coverage
• Pet Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Subsidized gym membership / plans through Wellhub

Work Authorization / Security Clearance

• Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States
• Position may require passing a government-administered background check
• Employment is contingent on meeting all clearance and adjudication requirements

AAP / EEO Statement

This Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status or other characteristics protected by law. 

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time non-exempt position with typical working hours from Monday through Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Hours and work shifts may change in accordance with department and business needs. Non-Exempt employees may be required to work over 40 hours per week with approval from the department manager.

Work Environment

This job operates in a hangar or flight line environment, with exposure to varying weather conditions, loud noise, and aircraft systems. The role may require standing, bending, climbing, and lifting up to 50 pounds. All employees must adhere to strict safety protocols and wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).

Travel

Not Required

Base Pay Range

The compensation range shown below is a good faith estimate and reflects the expected base pay for this position upon hire. This is just one component of Metrea's overall approach to total rewards and final compensation decisions, including the ultimate salary or hourly rate agreed upon, may vary depending on factors such as job location, job-specific knowledge, skills, experience, and the overall negotiated compensation package. Eligible full-time employees also receive a comprehensive benefits package designed to support their health, wellbeing, and long-term success.

Pay Range$25—$35 USD

Our Firmware

At Metrea, our single core value is Rooted in Humility, and our four cornerstone attributes are Entrepreneurial, Systematic, Discerning, and Over-Deliver. These form what we call our Teammate Firmware. Just like technical firmware connects software and hardware, our Firmware is the constant interface between our mission and our people. It defines how we show up, how we work together, and how we solve complex problems.

Our team Firmware creates a web-like, hyper-collaborative, dynamically hierarchical way of working that helps us adapt quickly, communicate openly, and distribute decision-making to where expertise actually lives. It enables groups to self-organize around hard problems, shift fluidly as priorities evolve, and operate with the trust, curiosity, and discipline required in a complex mission space. This foundation allows us to deliver elegant, effective solutions and uphold our purpose: protecting our precious inheritance.