Technician - Manufacturing Engineering - Tooling

Socket.dev; El Cajon (CA); On-site; USD 48,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

GKN Aerospace is seeking a skilled machinist for the tool room responsible for setting up and operating CNC and manual tool room equipment used to manufacture and repair tooling, fixtures and gauges. The role requires the ability to learn CNC programming incrementally and perform related operations on various machines.

Applicants should have strong measurement skills, blueprint reading ability and the discipline to maintain safe, clean work areas.

Qualifications

• High school education or GED required.
• 5+ years of machining experience or courses in mechanical drawing, shop mathematics and machining practices.
• 3+ years of experience with precision measuring equipment (calipers, micrometers, and height gauges) and reading blueprints.

Responsibilities

• Set up and operate CNC and manual mills, and lathes, jig bore, grinders, shear, roll, etc.
• Willing to learn basic programming and editing of CNC programs.
• Willing to learn on-the-job TIG and MIG welding, acetylene torch cutting, heat treating.
• Use of hand tools, hammers, grinders, files, punches, measuring devices, etc.
• Assemble new and existing tools and gauges to ensure proper function.
• Perform preventive and routine maintenance to maintain machine performance.
• Perform daily housekeeping tasks to provide a safe, clean and orderly workplace.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Excellent verbal communication skills

Attention to detail

Metal identification

Education

High school diploma or GED

Vocational school training in machining or equivalent

Tools

Calipers

Micrometers

Height gauges

Job description

Fantastic challenges. Amazing opportunities.

GKN Aerospace is reimagining air travel: going further, faster and greener! Fuelled by great people whose expertise and creativity sets the standards in our industry, we're inspired by the opportunities to innovate and break boundaries. We're proud to play a part in protecting the world’s democracies. And we're committed to putting sustainability at the centre of everything we do, opening up and protecting our planet.With over 16,000 employees across 32 manufacturing sites in 12 countries we serve over 90% of the world’s aircraft and engine manufacturers and achieved sales of £3.6bn in 2025. There are no limits to where you can take your career.

Job Summary

This position is responsible for setting up and operating all conventional tool room and CNC tool room equipment in the manufacture and repair of tooling, fixtures and gauges necessary for manufacturing process.

Job Responsibilities

• Set up and Operate CNC and manual Mills, and Lathes, Jig Bore, grinders, shear, roll, etc.
• Willing to learn basic programming and editing of CNC programs.
• Willing to learn (on the job) TIG and MIG welding, acetylene torch cutting, heat treating.
• Use of hand tools, hammers, grinders, files, punches, measuring devices, etc.
• Assembles new and existing tools and gauges to ensure proper function.
• Performs preventive and routine maintenance to maintain machine performance.
• Performs daily housekeeping tasks to provide a safe, clean and orderly workplace.
• Other duties as assigned.

Job Qualifications

Required Experience

• High school education or GED equivalent
• 5+ years of machining experience or courses in mechanical drawing, shop mathematics and machining practices
• 3+ years of experience with precision measuring equipment (calipers, micrometers, and height gauges) and reading blueprints.

Preferred Experience

• GKN Experience
• Vocational school graduate with courses in mechanical drawing, shop mathematics and machining practices or equivalent training and experience
• Product Knowledge
• Excellent verbal and communication skills
• Ability to distinguish between different types of metals
• Close attention and care required to prevent damage to parts and machine tools.

Physical Experience

• Requires standing and walking for long periods.
• Frequently requires stooping, squatting, kneeling and climbing.
• Reaching above shoulder level with hands and arms.
• Pushing and pulling wheeled items weighing up to 150 lbs.
• Lifting and/or moving up to 60 lbs. independently or up to 100 lbs. with assistance.
• Repetitive actions includes simple grasping, firm grasping and fine manipulation.
• Specific vision abilities required including close vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Compensation Range: The compensation range for this role is between $35.00 - $40.00 per hour.

We'll offer you fantastic challenges and amazing opportunities. This is your chance to be part of an organisation that has proven itself to be at the cutting edge of our industry; and is committed to pushing the boundaries even further. And with some of the best training on offer in the industry, who knows how far you can go?

A Great Place to work needs a Great Way of Working

We believe that we can only achieve our ambitions through a coming together of diverse minds who enjoy collaborating in an inspirational environment.

Through our commitment to diversity, inclusion and belonging and by living our five powerful principles we've created a culture where everyone feels welcome to contribute.

It's a culture that won us 'The Best Workplace Culture Award'.

By embracing and celebrating what makes us unique we encourage everyone to bring their full self to work.

We're also committed to providing an accessible recruitment process, so if you require reasonable adjustments at any stage during our recruitment process please get in touch and let us know.

We arethe place where human dreams, plus humanendeavour, shape the future of aerospace innovation and technology.