Senior CNC 5-Axis Mill Machinist, Prototype Shop
About The Position
Varda is seeking a Senior 5-axis CNC Mill Machinist to anchor its prototyping capabilities. The machinist will use extensive Mastercam expertise and advanced 5-axis CNC mill experience to program, set up, and produce complex, one-off aerospace components. The role is part of an in-house prototype machine shop embedded in a high-cadence aerospace environment, handling urgent and complex work that outside job shops may not be able to execute or turn around quickly. The position owns manufacturing processes from CAM programming through fixturing, tool selection, optimization, on-machine probing, and final inspection. It also partners with engineering and other teams to provide Design for Manufacturability (DFM) feedback, communicate through digital work orders and CAD/CAM notes, and help adapt designs for efficient, strong, manufacturable parts. The shop values agility, precision, collaboration, continuous improvement, and cross-training. This is an on-site role in El Segundo, California. The salary range is $46.75–$63.25 per hour. The role is eligible for incentives in the form of stock options and/or long-term cash awards. U.S.-person status is required for access to export-controlled items.
Requirements
- At least 5 years of hands-on manual and CNC machining experience in 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 experience with 5-axis CNC mills.
- Experience with part fixturing designed to hold parts in a free state, as well as zero-point fixturing.
- Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills, including the ability to work digitally with people of varied backgrounds and personalities.
- Ability to work effectively when priorities change quickly.
- U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residency to comply with ITAR requirements.
Nice To Haves
- At least 10 years of hands-on manual and CNC machining experience, 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.
- Expertise troubleshooting machining challenges and implementing process improvements.
- Familiarity with production tracking tools such as Jira and continuous improvement methodologies.
Responsibilities
- Use Mastercam to program, set up, and operate multi-axis CNC equipment, with an emphasis on 5-axis CNC mills and complex geometries.
- Fabricate prototype and flight-support components from diverse aerospace materials under tight and changing deadlines.
- Own manufacturing processes from CAM programming through fixturing, tool selection, optimization, on-machine probing, and final inspection or verification.
- Handle high-priority, complex work that commercial vendors cannot execute or turn around, bridging design concepts and physical hardware.
- Adapt to changing priorities and project scopes while maintaining part integrity and precision.
- Maintain quality standards through in-process inspection and collaboration with quality assurance.
- Provide proactive Design for Manufacturability feedback to optimize designs for efficiency, strength, and manufacturability.
- Communicate and collaborate with engineers and peers through digital work orders, CAD/CAM notes, and direct discussion.
- Share expertise, mentor peers, and troubleshoot setups collaboratively.
- Cross-train by sharing 5-axis and Mastercam knowledge and learning other machines and processes as shop needs evolve.
Benefits
- Eligibility for incentives in the form of stock options and/or long-term cash awards.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
Education Level
No Education Listed
