Senior Tool & Die Maker - A Shift

Rocket Lab USA; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 41,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Senior Tool & Die Maker at Rocket Lab USA in Long Beach, CA. You will design, fabricate, and maintain precision tools for Rutherford and Archimedes engines, using CNC and manual machines, and interpreting complex blueprints and CAD/CAM models.

Join a high-performance team in a critical tooling role, with responsibility for tool crib management, tooling documentation, and ensuring tolerances meet aerospace standards. Shift A available, with 5:00am–3:30pm times, local to California.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience operating machining equipment.
• Expertise with surface grinders and EDM equipment.
• Strong GD&T knowledge and blueprint reading skills.
• Ability to machine to tolerances as tight as 0.0001 inches.
• High school diploma or GED applicable.

Responsibilities

• Design, fabricate, and maintain precision tools from drawings.
• Operate manual and CNC tools to close tolerances.
• Interpret engineering blueprints and CAD/CAM models.
• Diagnose and repair worn or broken tooling.
• Maintain organized tool crib and tooling documentation.

Skills

Machining experience

CNC turning/milling

Surface grinders

EDM

GD&T

Blueprint reading

Precision measurement

Tight tolerances 0.0001"

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Siemens NX

CMM

Job description

ABOUT ROCKET LAB

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 TOOL & DIE MAKER

Based at Rocket Lab's EDC facility in Long Beach, CA, the Senior Tool & Die Maker plays a key role in machining and developing new products and product updates for both Rutherford and Archimedes engines. This position supports the Machine Shop and Tool Design teams, contributing to various projects and deliverables across the shop.

WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO:

• Design, fabricate, and maintain precision tools from engineering drawings.
• Operate manual and CNC machine tools to close tolerances.
• Interpret complex engineering blueprints and CAD/CAM models.
• Diagnose and repair worn or broken tooling.
• Maintain organized tool crib and documentation of tooling.

YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

• 8+ years of experience operating machining equipment, including conventional and CNC lathes/milling machines
• Expertise in using surface grinders
• Proficiency with EDM (Electrical Discharge Machining) equipment
• Strong understanding of GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing)
• Skilled in blueprint reading
• Experience with precision measurement tools and equipment
• Ability to machine components to tolerances as tight as 0.0001"
• High school diploma or GED equivalent

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Journeyman Tool & Die Maker certification
• Siemens NX experience
• CMM experience

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Willing to work A Shift (Monday - Thursday 5:00am - 3:30pm)
• Stand and walk for entire shift (8+ hours) on various work surfaces
• Climb ladders and work at elevated height small spaces, awkward positions, and tight areas as needed
• Perform repetitive motions including bending, twisting, reaching, grasping, pushing, pulling, and stooping
• Use hands with precision to handle, control, and operate tools, instruments, and equipment
• Lift, carry, push, and pull materials and equipment up to 25 lbs.
• Work in varied environments including production floors, equipment areas, and field locations with exposure to noise, temperature variations, and moving machinery
• Flexibility to work extended hours, weekends, and varied shifts as operational needs require

Hourly Pay Range (CA Only)

$30 — $40 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.

Important information:

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] 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.