Gear Cutter Operator – Machinist Level I

Hydraulics International, Inc; West Chatsworth (CA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 41,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance (Dental, Vision, Life

401(k)

PTO

Job summary

Hydraulics International, Inc. in Chatsworth, CA is seeking a Gear Cutter Operator – Machinist Level I to safely operate gear-cutting equipment and follow established processes for aerospace components.

The role involves reading drawings, performing in-process inspections, and ensuring tool wear is minimized while maintaining production. Candidates should have a HS diploma and basic machining experience; on-site work with competitive benefits.

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.

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.

Skills

Gear-cutting basics

Reading engineering drawings

Measuring with micrometers/calipers

Blueprint interpretation

Problem detection

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Calipers

Micrometers

Height gauges

Gear inspection equipment

Job description

Full Time Chatsworth, CA, US

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.

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.

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

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.

The existing HII description similarly requires inspection of gear dimensions, tooth profile, pitch, and overall workmanship using precision measuring equipment.

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.