Senior Tool & Die Maker - Precision Machinist (A Shift)

Rocket Lab Corp.; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 41,000 - 69,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Stock Purchase Program

Top-tier medical plans

Dental and vision coverage

Paid vacation and sick time

11 paid holidays

401(k) with company match

EV charging subsidy

Onsite fitness centers

Employee discounts

Job summary

Rocket Lab in Long Beach, CA, seeks a Senior Tool & Die Maker to design, fabricate, and maintain precision tools for Rutherford and Archimedes engines. You’ll work with machine shop and tool design teams on multiple projects, applying advanced machining and inspection methods to meet tight tolerances.

Ideal candidates have 8+ years’ experience with conventional and CNC machines, EDM, surface grinders, and GD&T, plus strong blueprint reading and precision measurement skills.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience operating machining equipment including conventional and CNC lathes/milling machines.
• Expertise with surface grinders and EDM equipment.
• Strong understanding of GD&T and blueprint reading.
• Experience measuring with precision tools and maintaining tight tolerances.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Skills

Machining experience

Surface grinders

EDM

GD&T

Blueprint reading

Precision measurement

Tolerances ±0.0001"

Education: high school diploma

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

CMM experience

CNC tooling knowledge

Job description

Rocket Lab in Long Beach, CA, seeks a Senior Tool & Die Maker to design, fabricate, and maintain precision tools for Rutherford and Archimedes engines. You’ll work with machine shop and tool design teams on multiple projects, applying advanced machining and inspection methods to meet tight tolerances.

Ideal candidates have 8+ years’ experience with conventional and CNC machines, EDM, surface grinders, and GD&T, plus strong blueprint reading and precision measurement skills.