Gear Cutter Operator – Machinist Level I

HII Group; West Chatsworth (CA); Remote; USD 34,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance (Dental, Vision, &amp

401(k)

PTO

Job summary

Hydraulics International, Inc. in Chatsworth, CA is seeking a Gear Cutter Operator – Machinist Level I to run established gear-cutting processes and perform routine adjustments, inspec tions, and maintenance of gear-manufacturing equipment. The role ensures adherence to approved setups and specifications in a precision aerospace environment.

The position starts at $25.00 per hour with on-site work. The company offers health insur ance, a 401(k) plan and PTO; prior gear-cutting or related

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED.
• Basic gear-cutting, machining, machine-shop experience.
• Ability to safely operate gear-cutting equipment after training.
• Basic knowledge of gear-manufacturing terminology and machining principles.
• Ability to read basic engineering drawings and instructions.
• Basic shop mathematics including decimals and fractions.

Responsibilities

• Safely operate gear hobbing, shaping, broaching, and related equipment using established setups.
• Review travelers, drawings, work instructions, tooling, and inspection requirements.
• Load, position, secure, and unload components correctly.
• Verify cutters, hobs, arbors, fixtures, and workholding before production.
• Perform routine tool changes and limited machine adjustments within authorized limits.
• Monitor tooth condition, dimensions, finish, tooling, and machine performance.
• Perform in-process inspection using approved measurement methods.
• Recognize tool wear or abnormal conditions and stop when needed.
• Maintain production, inspection, traceability, housekeeping, and FOD controls.

Skills

Gear cutting basics

Machining basics

Reading drawings

Math skills

Precision measurement

Inspection ability

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Gear hobbers

Gear shapers

Broaching machines

Micrometers & calipers

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Salary Range: $25.00 To $25.00 Hourly

Position Summary

Hydraulics International, Inc. (HII) is seeking a Gear Cutter Operator – Machinist Level I to safely operate gear-manufacturing equipment used to produce precision aerospace components. The position is responsible for running established and approved gear-cutting processes, performing authorized adjustments and inspections, and maintaining stable production. Equipment may include gear hobbers, gear shapers, broaching machines, and related gear-manufacturing equipment. The underlying HII role identifies these as the principal gear-cutting processes.

Level I operators are not normally authorized to independently develop setups, establish new process parameters, or prove out new gear-cutting processes.

Key Responsibilities

• Safely operate assigned gear hobbing, shaping, broaching, and related equipment using established setups.
• Review travelers, drawings, work instructions, tooling, and inspection requirements.
• Load, position, secure, and unload components correctly.
• Verify approved cutters, hobs, arbors, fixtures, and workholding before production.
• Perform routine tool changes and limited machine adjustments within defined authorization.
• Monitor tooth condition, dimensions, finish, tooling condition, and machine performance.
• Perform required in-process inspection using approved measurement methods.
• Recognize tool wear, chatter, dimensional drift, poor finish, and other abnormal conditions.
• Stop production and elevate suspected tooling, machine, setup, or quality problems.
• Maintain required production, inspection, traceability, housekeeping, and FOD controls.

Blueprint, Inspection, and Quality

Must be able to:

• Read basic engineering drawings, dimensions, tolerances, specifications, and revisions.
• Understand basic gear terminology applicable to assigned work, including tooth form, pitch, runout, and dimensional requirements.
• Use micrometers, calipers, indicators, height gauges, and applicable gear-inspection equipment.
• Recognize obvious tooth-form, finish, dimensional, or tooling abnormalities.
• Follow calibration, traceability, configuration-control, inspection, and nonconforming-product requirements.
• Stop and report suspected nonconforming product rather than performing unauthorized repair or process changes.

Safety

Must follow applicable requirements for PPE, machine guarding, safe tool and cutter handling, chip and coolant handling, lifting, lockout/tagout awareness, material handling, and machine safety devices.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent.
• Basic gear-cutting, machining, machine-shop, or related technical experience.
• Ability to safely operate assigned gear-cutting equipment following required training.
• Basic knowledge of gear-manufacturing terminology and machining principles.
• Ability to read basic engineering drawings and manufacturing instructions.
• Basic shop mathematics, including decimals, fractions, and dimensional calculations.
• Ability to use applicable precision measuring instruments.
• Ability to recognize abnormal machining conditions and elevate appropriately.

Preferred Qualifications

• Machine Tool Technology, CNC Machining, or related technical training.
• Aerospace, defense, hydraulic, or precision-component manufacturing experience.
• Previous exposure to gear hobbing, shaping, or broaching equipment.
• Basic familiarity with GD&T.
• Familiarity with AS9100 or another controlled aerospace quality system.

Experience Guideline

Approximately 0–3 years of relevant machining experience is typical for Machinist Level I; however, qualification is based on demonstrated competency rather than years of experience alone.

Qualification Standard

A qualified Gear Cutter Operator – Machinist Level I must be able to run an established gear-cutting operation using an approved setup, maintain the process within defined limits, perform required inspection, recognize abnormal conditions, and consistently produce conforming product without continuous supervision.

Qualification applies only to equipment and processes for which the employee has been trained, evaluated, and authorized.

Core Competencies

Salary Expectations:

$25.00hr

We offer competitive compensation & benefits package:

• Health insurance (Dental, Vision, & Life Insurance)
• 401(k)
• PTO

About HII:

HII headquartered in Chatsworth, California, U.S.A., is a leading supplier of integrated products, services and support to military forces, aviation and commercial industries, Government agencies and prime contractors worldwide. Focused on defense and commercial technology, the Company develops manufactures and supports a broad range of systems for over one hundred industries as well as mission critical and military sustainment requirements worldwide. We are extremely proud of the fact that our extensive design capabilities enable us to produce the most sophisticated units known to today's technology.

Our corporate, engineering and manufacturing facilities, located in Chatsworth, CA and Forsyth, GA, encompass over 625,000 sq. feet. Our manufacturing facility is equipped with the latest state-of-the-art equipment such as CNC lathes and mills, computerized tube bending, and automatic press brake and programmable punch press, laser topography scanners, and other quality verification devices.

HII has combined the greatest talent, skill, and equipment to best service our customers' demands.

HII is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and strictly prohibits discrimination and harassment against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities and prohibits discrimination and harassment against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or for inquiring about, discussing, or disclosing information about compensation.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability (including physical, emotional, and mental health), or status as a protected veteran.

If you are an individual with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process or are limited in the ability or unable to access or use this online application process and need an alternative method for applying, you may contact [phone]x2200 for assistance.