Sr. Assembly Technician

RTCA; Fife (WA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

HSA‑eligible health plan

401(k) with company match

Paid time off & holidays

Discretionary bonus programs

Job summary

RTCA in Washington State seeks a Sr. Assembly Technician to lead the most complex and high‑risk assembly operations onsite in Fife. You will act as the technical SME for assembly processes, drive first‑article and prototype projects, and develop methods for new products.

You will create standard work, train staff, and troubleshoot issues with Engineering and Quality. The role offers hands-on ownership, exposure to advanced tooling, and opportunities to mentor colleagues across the organization.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience leading complex aerospace assembly operations.
• Expert-level blueprint reading and GD&T interpretation.
• Experience training, mentoring, and certifying technicians.
• Experience partnering with Engineering and Quality on process and tooling.

Responsibilities

• Work a full-time onsite position at our Fife, WA location.
• Perform the organization's most complex, highest-risk assembly operations with expert-level precision.
• Serve as the technical subject matter expert for complex assembly processes.
• Lead first-article, prototype, and first-run assembly projects, developing methods for new products.
• Create, document, and standardize assembly processes and work instructions.
• Troubleshoot complex assembly and process issues with Engineering and Quality.
• Design, fabricate or modify fixtures and tooling using manual machining equipment.
• Provide technical training and mentor technicians, certifying competency.
• Support customer audits and process validations.

Skills

Aerospace assembly

Blueprint reading / GD&T

Mentoring technicians

Process development

Tools

Tooling & fixtures design

Job description

RTCA is a precision aerospace and defense manufacturing group built on decades of hands-on machining expertise, with roots spanning more than 50 years. We support mission-critical commercial and government aerospace programs across North America through four U.S. Centers of Excellence operating as an integrated platform with 150+ CNC machines and a team of 250+ professionals.

Unlike large organizations where roles can be narrow, RTCA offers hands‑on ownership and real visibility – you understand how your work supports the team, the operation, and the end customer. Our flat structure allows employees to take initiative, grow their skills, and have their contributions recognized, while still providing the stability, advanced technology, and meaningful work of an established aerospace manufacturer.

At RTCA, we believe in teamwork, excellence, and delivering with pride. One Team! One Mission!

How You’ll Make an Impact:

The Sr. Assembly Technician performs the organization's most complex and highest-risk assembly operations with expert-level precision, serving as the department's technical subject matter expert.

What you’ll be doing as a Sr. Assembly Technician:

• Working afull‑time, onsiteposition at our Fife, WA location.
• Perform the organization's most complex, highest-risk assembly operations with expert‑level precision and minimal oversight.
• Serve as the technical subject matter expert for complex assembly processes across the department.
• Lead first‑article, prototype, and first‑run assembly projects, developing and validating manufacturing methods for new products.
• Create, document, and standardize assembly processes, work instructions, tooling concepts, and best practices.
• Troubleshoot complex assembly and process issues, partnering with Engineering and Quality.
• Design, fabricate, or modify fixtures and tooling using manual machining equipment.
• Provide technical training, mentor technicians at all levels, and certify competency on specialized assembly processes.
• Support customer audits, engineering builds, and process validations.Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications (Education, skills and experience):

• Extensive experience performing and leading complex aerospace assembly operations.
• Expert‑level blueprint reading, GD&T interpretation, and process development skills.
• Experience training, mentoring, and certifying assembly technicians.
• Experience partnering with Engineering and Quality on process and tooling issues.

Preferred Qualifications (Education, skills and experience):

• Experience designing or fabricating tooling and fixtures.
• Experience supporting customer audits or process validations.

Compensation and Benefits:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage.
• Choice of medical plan options, including a no‑cost employee‑only coverage plan
• HSA‑eligible health plan with employer contributions
• Basic and supplemental life insurance
• Long‑term disability coverage
• 401(k) plan with up to a 6% QACA company match
• Paid time off including vacation, sick time, and nine (9) paid company holidays
• Shift differentials for applicable off‑shifts
• Discretionary bonus programs based on position and company performance

The Sr. Assembly Technician Compensation range for onsite Washington applicants is $25 - 30 per hour commensurate with experience. Some shifts may include shift differential pay rates. Other site ranges may differ.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

This position must meet Export Control compliance requirements, therefore a “US Person” as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.15 is required.

RTCA is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Applicants wishing to receive information on RTCA’s Affi­catve Action Plans, or those requiring a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, should contact the RTCA Human Resources Department. Qualified individuals with disabilities or disabled veterans who are unable or limited in their ability to access or use our career center due to a disability may request a reasonable accommodation by contacting Human Resources.

Candidates will receive consideration without discrimination in accordance with Article 9, Chapter XVIII of the City of Los Angeles Municipal Code and applicable federal, state, and local laws.