Lead Toolmaker

RTX (Raytheon); East Hartford (CT); On-site; USD 39,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

RTX is seeking a skilled machinist in East Hartford, CT, to manufacture complex hardware and prototype parts using CNC mills and lathes. You will develop process plans, fixtures, and machine setups, while collaborating with cross‑functional teams to ensure quality and on‑time delivery.

The role requires strong GD&T understanding, CAD/CAM experience, and a proven ability to work with limited supervision in a fast‑paced R&D environment. Onsite work is required at RTRC H facility.

Qualifications

• AA/AS degree or equivalent with minimum 8 years of relevant experience.
• CNC mill and lathe setup and operation.
• Conventional machining experience.
• Reading engineering drawings and interpreting GD&T (ASME Y14.5).
• CAD/CAM software experience and conversational CNC programming.

Responsibilities

• Manufacture complex hardware and components; follow design specs.
• Develop manufacturing process plans and fixturing; set up machines.
• Collaborate with internal/external customers; participate in design reviews.
• Inspect completed hardware to ensure design and quality requirements; meet delivery targets.

Skills

CNC Milling

CNC Lathe

Conventional Machining

GD&T

CAD/CAM

Education

AA/AS degree

Tools

Siemens NX

SolidWorks

CAMWorks

Job description

At RTX, the world's largest aerospace and defense company, 185,000 great minds are united by purpose and inspired to make a difference solving the world's most complex problems. With our three market leading businesses, world-class operations and investments in research and development, we offer capabilities and opportunity no one else can. Together, we push the boundaries of known science and find new ways to connect and protect our world. Join us and help shape the future of aerospace and defense.

What You Will Do

The successful candidate will be responsible for manufacturing complex hardware, components, and systems that push the boundaries of technology. The individual will participate in project meetings, support manufacturing process development, contribute to design reviews, and produce hardware for testing, demonstration, and evaluation. This role requires close collaboration with a variety of internal and external customers on unique fabrication assignments involving prototype and test hardware. The successful candidate must be a motivated self-starter with a collaborative mindset and the ability to build effective working relationships across multidisciplinary teams to achieve project objectives. They must demonstrate strong communication skills and a commitment to safety, continuous improvement, adherence to established standards, company policies, integrity, ethics, and legal compliance. The candidate must possess a strong foundation in both CNC and conventional machining methods, along with working knowledge of CAD/CAM programming. They will be expected to work with minimal supervision to develop manufacturing process plans, design and implement work holding and fixturing solutions, perform machine setups, execute machining operations, and inspect completed hardware to ensure compliance with design and quality requirements. In addition, the candidate will effectively prioritize multiple assignments, and consistently meet or exceed quality, delivery, and cost objectives in a fast-paced research and development environment.

What You Will Learn

The candidate will leverage their existing expertise in CNC and conventional machining, CAD/CAM programming, work holding, setup, process planning, and inspection while continuing to develop their skills through hands‑on involvement in the fabrication of complex prototype and test hardware. This role provides the opportunity to apply established machining knowledge while expanding technical, manufacturing, and cross‑functional collaboration capabilities within a fast‑paced research and development environment.

Qualifications You Must Have

• AA/AS degree (or other 2-year post high school training) with a minimum of 8 years relevant experience.
• CNC mill and lathe setup and operation
• Conventional machining experience
• Reading engineering drawings and interpreting GD&T (ASME Y14.5)
• Demonstrated experience with CAD/CAM software and conversational CNC programming

Qualifications We Prefer

• Inspection and metrology using precision measurement tools
• Computer proficiency, including Microsoft Office applications
• Process planning and machining strategy
• Selection of tooling, feeds, and speeds
• Working to tight tolerances
• Working knowledge of Siemens NX, SolidWorks, CAMWorks, or similar CAD and CAM software
• Aerospace and defense manufacturing experience
• Holding tolerances to ±0.0002"
• Proto-TRAK programming for Mills and Lathes
• Wire EDM and sinker EDM
• Metallurgy knowledge
• Simultaneous 5‑axis machining and programming
• Machining nickel‑based superalloys and titanium alloys
• Cost estimating and scheduling
• Global Trade Compliance awareness
• Manufacturing directly from sketches, prints, and CAD models
• Machining additively manufactured (3D‑printed) parts

Candidates must have at least four years of experience in a prototype machine shop or similar manufacturing environment. Experience in aerospace, R&D, or prototype manufacturing is highly desirable.

Location: US-CT-EAST HARTFORD-RTRC H ~ 411 Silver Ln ~ RTRC H

U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements: U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are authorized to access information under this program/contract.

Security Clearance Type: None/Not Required

Security Clearance Status: Not Required

This position is classified as: Onsite: Employees who are working in Onsite roles will work primarily onsite. This includes all production and maintenance employees, as they are essential to the development of our products.

For onsite and hybrid roles, commuting to and from the assigned site is the employee's personal responsibility.

As part of our commitment to maintaining a secure hiring process, candidates may be asked to attend select steps of the interview process in‑person at one of our office locations, regardles