Senior CNC Machinist - C Shift
About The Position
Rocket Lab is seeking a Senior CNC Machinist based at its headquarters in Long Beach, California. The role maintains, sets up, and operates CNC machines to produce flight-ready hardware that meets Rocket Lab specifications and production-rate requirements. The position works with CNC lathes and mills, interprets drawings and CAD models, and collaborates with CNC programmers, quality, and engineering teams to maintain tolerances and reduce non-conformances. The machinist also contributes process-improvement ideas and tracks calibration and maintenance of equipment and tooling. This role is on C Shift, Friday through Sunday, 5:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. It requires working on production floors, in equipment areas, and at field locations, with exposure to noise, temperature variations, and moving machinery. The employee may need to work extended hours, weekends, and varied shifts as operational needs require.
Requirements
- 8 or more years of experience operating CNC lathes and mills.
- Demonstrated ability using dual-spindle lathes with live tooling.
- Demonstrated ability using mills with turning fifth axis.
- Ability to interpret drawings and GD&T.
- Willingness to work C Shift, Friday through Sunday, 5:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- Ability to stand and walk for an entire shift (8+ hours) on various work surfaces.
- Ability to climb ladders and work at elevated heights, in small spaces, awkward positions, and tight areas as needed.
- Ability to perform repetitive motions, including bending, twisting, reaching, grasping, pushing, pulling, and stooping.
- Ability to use hands precisely to handle, control, and operate tools, instruments, and equipment.
- Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and equipment weighing up to 25 pounds.
- Flexibility to work extended hours, weekends, and varied shifts as operational needs require.
- For candidates seeking U.S. office work, must meet applicable U.S. Government space technology export authorization requirements.
Nice To Haves
- CNC programming experience, including NX Programming.
- Experience in an aerospace manufacturing environment.
- Five-axis CNC operation and setup experience.
- Competence navigating DMG Mori machines: DMU 50, 85, 125, and NLX 2500–4000.
- Experience using Siemens, Fanuc, and Celos controls.
- Experience using bar feeders.
- Manual programming experience.
Responsibilities
- Work with CNC lathe and mill machines.
- Read and translate drawings and CAD models.
- Provide feedback to improve work instructions.
- Work with CNC programmers to maintain tolerances.
- Help reduce non-conformances identified by quality or engineering.
- Provide improvement ideas for batch sizes, setups, tool selection, and other processes.
- Track calibration and maintenance of equipment and tooling in the area.
Benefits
- Employee Stock Purchase Program with a 15% discount on company stock.
- Medical plans, including HMO, PPO, and a zero-cost HDHP option with a company HSA contribution.
- Dental and vision coverage.
- Paid vacation and sick time.
- 11 paid holidays.
- Flexible spending and dependent care accounts.
- Paid parental leave.
- Disability and life insurance.
- 401(k) retirement plan with company match.
- Subsidized EV charging.
- Onsite fitness centers where available.
- Discounted gym memberships.
- Complimentary snacks and beverages.
- 50% employee discount on the company merchandise store.
- Other employee discounts.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
Education Level
No Education Listed
