Senior CNC Machinist/Programmer

Rocket Lab; Middle River (MD); On-site; USD 94,000 - 114,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Multiple shift schedules

Job summary

Rocket Lab’s Space Structures Complex in Middle River, MD, seeks a Senior CNC Machinist/Programmer to set up and operate 5-axis CNC milling machines, program toolpaths with Mastercam, and produce large carbon fiber components for the Neutron rocket. You will read drawings, develop fixtures, and improve processes in a high-precision aerospace environment.

The role requires 8+ years CNC Milling experience, GD&T proficiency, and strong maintenance capability.

Qualifications

• HS Diploma and 8+ years CNC Milling experience.
• Experience programming and operating a 5 Axis CNC.
• Familiar with MasterCAM.
• In depth knowledge of GD&T.
• Ability to read and interpreting technical drawings.
• Strong knowledge of machine workings, maintenance and calibration.

Responsibilities

• Work with large CNC machines to produce carbon fiber components for our Neutron rocket.
• Use Mastercam to program safe and efficient toolpaths
• Machine a range of tooling materials to produce large composite molds and tools to support production
• Design and manufacture fixtures and tooling to enable machining of components
• Read and translate drawings/CAD models
• Develop and improve manufacturing processes
• Be responsible for sourcing and testing new tooling solutions to improve productivity
• Provide feedback to Engineering to improve manufacturability
• Work to identify and reduce any non-conformances
• Provide improvement ideas on batch sizes, setups, tool selection etc
• Track calibration and maintenance of all equipment and tooling in the area

Skills

CNC Milling

5-Axis CNC

Mastercam

GD&T

Technical drawings

Maintenance & calibration

Education

HS Diploma

Tools

Mastercam

Poseidon CMS

Ares CMS

NX CAD

Job description

Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems that keep the world connected, protected, expand humanity’s reach to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. We move fast, build real hardware for meaningful missions, and make the impossible routine. Come shape the future with us.

NEUTRON

Neutron is a medium lift launch vehicle capable of delivering the mega constellations of tomorrow, high assurance payloads, and human spaceflight. As a highly reusable launch platform, Neutron will deliver a highly cost-effective and reliable launch solution leveraging Rocket Lab’s proven execution history with the Electron program. If you’re interested in joining a high performing team, pushing the boundaries with a clean sheet development of re-usable liquid launch vehicle, this is your opportunity!

SENIOR CNC MACHINIST/PROGRAMMER

Based out of Rocket Lab's Space Structures Complex facility in Middle River, Maryland. The Master CNC Machinist will maintain, set up program and operate the CNC machines to build flight-ready hardware that meet Rocket Lab specification at the needed rate.

Space Structures Complex is hiring for multiple shift schedules.

WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO:

• Work with large CNC machines to produce carbon fiber components for our Neutron rocket.
• Use Mastercam to program safe and efficient toolpaths
• Machine a range of tooling materials to produce large composite molds and tools to support production
• Design and manufacture fixtures and tooling to enable machining of components
• Read and translate drawings/CAD models
• Develop and improve manufacturing processes
• Be responsible for sourcing and testing new tooling solutions to improve productivity
• Provide feedback to Engineering to improve manufacturability
• Work to identify and reduce any non-conformances
• Provide improvement ideas on batch sizes, setups, tool selection etc
• Track calibration and maintenance of all equipment and tooling in the area

YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS AS A SENIOR CNC MACHINIST:

• HS Diploma and 8+ years of CNC Milling experience
• Experience programming and operating a 5 Axis CNC
• Familiar with the use of MasterCAM
• In depth knowledge of GD&T
• Ability to read and interpreting technical drawings
• Strong knowledge of machine workings, maintenance and calibration.

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Experience in an Aerospace Manufacturing Environment
• Experience running CMS CNC machines (Poseidon, Ares) or similar large 5 axis gantry style machines.
• Experience operating machines that have a Fanuc control
• Experience with CAD design preferably NX or Mastercam
• Experience working with composite materials (Carbon fiber/fiberglass)
• Manual Programming (understand and diagnose g-code)

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Stand and walkextended periods(8+ hours) on production floor
• Perform repetitive motions including grasping, bending, twisting, reaching, pushing, and pulling
• Operate equipment and controls requiring manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination
• Lift, carry, push, and pull materials up to 25 lbs.
• Work in aproductionenvironment with noise, moving machinery, and varyingenvironmentalconditions
• Flexibility to work extended hours, weekends, and varied shifts as operational needs require

#RL1

Base Pay Range (MD Only)

$45 - $55 USD

WHAT TO EXPECT

We’re on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth, but that’s not an easy task. It takes hard work, determination, relentless innovation, teamwork, grit, and an unwavering commitment to achieving what others often deem impossible. Our people out-think, out-work, and out-pace. We pride ourselves on having each other’s backs, checking our egos at the door, and rolling up our sleeves on all tasks big and small. We thrive under pressure, work to tight deadlines, and our focus is always on how we can deliver, rather than dwelling on the challenges that stand in the way.

FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN US OFFICES ONLY:

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Rocket Lab Employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce, as applicable. Learn more about ITAR here .

Rocket Lab provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment at Rocket Lab, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for the application/interview process for a job in the United States should contact Giulia Johnson at [e-mail]. This dedicated resource is intended solely to assist job seekers with disabilities whose disability prevents them from being able to apply/interview. Only messages left for this purpose will be considered. A response to your request may take up to two business days.

FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN NEW ZEALAND OFFICES ONLY:

For security reasons, background checks will be undertaken prior to any employment offers being made to an applicant. These checks will include nationality checks as it is a requirement of this position that you be eligible to access equipment and data regulated by the United States' International Traffic in Arms Regulations.

Under these Regulations, you may be ineligible for this role if you do not hold citizenship of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the European Union, or a country that is part of NATO, or if you hold ineligible dual citizenship or nationality. For more information on these Regulations, click here ITAR Regulations.