Experimental Machinist

The Aerospace Corporation; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 47,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare plans

Holidays and vacation

Relocation assistance

Education assistance

Professional growth

401(k) Plan

Job summary

The Aerospace Corporation in El Segundo, CA is seeking an Experimental Machinist to join the internal machine shop. This full‑time, onsite role focuses on fabricating and assembling precision‑machined prototype hardware for diverse research projects, including unique prototypes and rapid-turnaround work.

You will operate CNC mills and lathes, waterjet, and other shop equipment, reading detailed prints and tolerances, and ensuring quality while maintaining safety and EHS standards.

Qualifications

• 1 year or more related machining experience.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Experience with Mastercam software.
• Ability to read detailed prints, sketches, and verbal instructions.
• Knowledge of GD&T tolerancing.
• US citizenship is required; ability to obtain security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Fabrication and assembly of precision-machined prototype hardware.
• Independently program, machine set-ups, and operate CNC mills, lathes, waterjet, and auxiliary equipment.
• Provide expertise on shop equipment such as saws, belt sanders, and polishing tools.
• Machining of metallic alloys, ceramics, plastics, and exotic materials.
• Inspect components using precision measuring tools and ensure tolerance compliance.
• Support regular safety reviews and collaborate with EHS teams.

Skills

Security clearance eligibility

Print reading

GD&T knowledge

US citizenship

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Mastercam

Job description

The Aerospace Corporation is the trusted partner to the nation’s space programs, solving the hardest problems and providing unmatched technical expertise. As the operator of a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC), we are broadly engaged across all aspects of space— delivering innovative solutions that span satellite, launch, ground, and cyber systems for defense, civil and commercial customers. When you join our team, you’ll be part of a special collection of problem solvers, thought leaders, and innovators. Join us and take your place in space.

The Aerospace Corporation’s Experiment Lab, xLab, develops prototypes, instruments, pathfinders, and demonstration systems to address our customers’ hardest problems at the speed of need.

We engage with our customers to conceptualize innovative solutions and deliver impactful products for ground and space and everything in between.

We are looking for engineers with a passion for design, a commitment to teamwork and a desire to help xLab make a difference to today’s challenges.

We are looking for an Experimental Machinist (Technical Specialist – Fabrication I) to join our internal machine shop. You will provide manufacturing services to many diverse research organizations and projects, including the development of unique and complex scientific apparatus, manufacture of one‑of‑a‑kind prototypes and rapid response to work that scales from hours to weeks.

This is a full‑time position based in El Segundo, CA, which requires 100% onsite work.

Responsibilities

• Fabrication, and assembly of precision‑machined prototype hardware
• Independently perform programming, machine set‑ups, and operation of all standard shop equipment, including CNC Mills, CNC lathes, waterjet, auxiliary equipment
• Provide expertise and understanding of machine shop support equipment such as cut‑off saws, band saws, shears, belt sanders, and pedestal polishing
• Machining of all standard metallic alloys as well as ceramics, plastics, and exotic materials such as Invar, Inconel, and Molybdenum
• Proficiency inspection techniques of components using precision measuring tools, shared inspection responsibilities for specification compliance of fabrications and assemblies produced
• Participate in regular safety reviews, and maintain a relationship with environmental, health, and safety (EHS) teams
• Perform daily and regular cleaning and light maintenance of machines and equipment

Minimum Requirements

• 1 year or more of related experience
• High school diploma or equivalent
• Experience with Mastercam software
• Ability to work from detailed prints, sketches, and verbal instructions
• Knowledge of GD&T tolerancing
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government
• US citizenship is required

How You Can Stand Out

• Completion of an accredited apprenticeship program, such as NTMA or college course equivalent
• Experience with computer aided manufacturing, manufacturing technologies, Mastercam Certification
• Experience working in DoD / Space industry
• Understanding of Haas vertical milling machines with 4th and 5th Axis
• Waterjet, EDM

Salary

(Min - Max) $22.88 - $34.32 Pay Basis: Hourly

Leadership Competencies

Our leadership philosophy is simple: every employee, regardless of level and role, can demonstrate leadership. At Aerospace, our commitment is our people. To cultivate our talent and ensure that we have a strong pipeline of future leaders, we want individuals who:

• Operate Strategically
• Lead Change
• Engage with Impact
• Foster Innovation
• Deliver Results

Ways We Reward Our Employees

• Comprehensive health care and wellness plans
• Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation
• Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options
• 401(k) Plan — Employees receive a total company-paid benefit of 8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation based on years of service and matching contributions; employees are immediately eligible and vested in the plan upon hire
• Flexible spending accounts
• Variable pay program for exceptional contributions
• Relocation assistance
• Professional growth and development programs to help advance your career
• Education assistance programs

A comprehensive, inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect

Equal Opportunity Commitment

The Aerospace Corporation is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, color, religion, genetic information, marital status, ancestry, national origin, protected veteran status, physical disability, medical condition, mental disability, or disability status and any other characteristic protected by state or federal law.

If you’re an individual with a disability or a disabled veteran who needs assistance using our online job search and application tools or need reasonable accommodation to complete the job application process, please contact us by phone at 310.336.5432 or by email at [e-mail]. You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal.

Right Place

The Aerospace Corporation has over 26 locations nationwide, which allows us to build a workforce that will nurture the best ideas, and generate the most novel innovations and solutions to our nation’s toughest space enterprise challenges.

Right Path

Right Path Aerospace covers all stages of the space lifecycle, from concept to operations. We believe our people are our most valuable resource and that’s why we propel our employees forward in their careers through ongoing education, training, and professional development.

Right Purpose

We can all serve a mission much greater than ourselves, and at Aerospace that is exactly what we do. By hiring the industry’s most preeminent scientists and engineers, Aerospace advances emerging technologies that protect some of the most critical missions on Earth and above it.

Aerospace employees working in organizations with technical responsibilities are required to obtain a Security Clearance. U.S. citizenship is required for those positions.