Lead Toolmaker

RTX; East Hartford (CT); On-site; USD 60,000 - 114,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Short-term disability

Long-term disability

401(k) match

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Flexible work schedules

Job summary

RTX in East Hartford, CT is seeking a skilled machinist to manufacture complex hardware for prototypes and test articles. The role emphasizes hands-on machining, process planning, and collaboration with design and manufacturing teams.

You will perform machine setups, develop fixturing, and inspect parts to meet tight tolerances, using CAD/CAM tools and CAD models. Strong communication, safety, and ethics are required in a fast-paced R&D environment.

Qualifications

• AA/AS degree 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.

Responsibilities

• Manufacture complex hardware and systems for prototypes and test articles.
• Participate in project meetings and support manufacturing process development.
• Design and implement work holding and fixturing solutions; develop process plans.
• Perform machine setups, execute machining operations, and inspect hardware for design/quality compliance.
• Prioritize multiple assignments to meet quality, delivery, and cost objectives in a fast-paced environment.

Skills

CNC milling

CNC lathe setup

Conventional machining

GD&T reading

CAD/CAM programming

Education

AA/AS degree

Tools

Siemens NX

SolidWorks

CAMWorks

Proto-TRAK

Wire EDM

Sinker EDM

Job description

Date Posted:

2026-10-21

Country:

United States of America

Location:

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

Position Role Type:

Onsite

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

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.

Please ensure the role type defined below is appropriate for your needs before applying to this role. 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 attendselect steps of the interview process in‑person at one of our office locations, regardless of whether the role is designated as on‑site, hybrid or remote. _

The salary range for this role is 60,000 USD - 114,000 USD. The salary range provided is a good faith estimate representative of all experience levels. RTX considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role, function and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, location, education/training, and key skills.

Hired applicants may be eligible for benefits, including but not limited to, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short‑term disability, long‑term disability, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, flexible work schedules, employee assistance program, Employee Scholar Program, parental leave, paid time off, and holidays. Specific benefits are dependent upon the specific business unit as well as whether or not the position is covered by a collective‑bargaining agreement.

Hired applicants may be eligible for annual short‑term and/or long‑term incentive compensation programs depending on the level of the position and whether or not it is covered by a collective‑bargaining agreement. Payments under these annual programs are not guaranteed and are dependent upon a variety of factors including, but not limited to, individual performance, business unit performance, and/or the company’s performance.

This role is a U.S.-based role. If the successful candidate resides in a U.S. territory, the appropriate pay structure and benefits will apply.

RTX anticipates the application window closing approximately 40 days from the date the notice was posted. However, factors such as candidate flow and business necessity may require RTX to shorten or extend the application window.

RTX is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any other applicable state or federal protected class. RTX provides affirmative action in employment for qualified Individuals with a Disability and Protected Veterans in compliance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act.

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