Tool Maker – Assembly Technician

RTCA; Sumner (WA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 41,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental & Vision

401(k) match

Paid time off

Shift differential

Discretionary bonus

Job summary

RTCA in Sumner, WA is seeking an experienced Tool Maker – Assembly Technician to support the Assembly team by building, modifying, and maintaining production tooling and fixtures. You will work from engineering drawings to fabricate tooling and assist with prototype and production builds.

Join a hands‑on manufacturing group with a focus on quality, efficiency, and safety. On-site role with competitive compensation and benefits, including 401(k) and paid time off.

Qualifications

• Experience building, modifying, or repairing production tooling, fixtures, jigs, or work holding devices.
• Experience performing mechanical assembly in a manufacturing environment.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering blueprints, tooling drawings, assembly drawings, and work instructions.
• Experience using hand tools, power tools, pneumatic tools, drill presses, grinders, torque wrenches, and precision measuring equipment.
• Strong mechanical aptitude with the ability to fabricate, fit, and assemble tooling and production components.
• Experience performing layout, drilling, tapping, reaming, deburring, fitting, and light fabrication.
• Familiarity with quality inspection methods and maintaining production standards.
• Ability to troubleshoot tooling and assembly issues while identifying opportunities for process improvement.
• Proficient in basic shop math and precision measurement techniques.
• Strong attention to detail with excellent organizational and problem‑solving skills.
• Adherence to safety protocols, company policies, and state/federal regulations

Responsibilities

• Working a full‑time, onsite position at our Sumner, WA location.
• Building, modifying, repairing, and maintaining tooling, fixtures, jigs, templates, gauges, and work holding devices that support assembly operations.
• Performing mechanical assembly of precision aerospace components using hand tools, power tools, pneumatic tools, and assembly equipment while following engineering drawings and work instructions.
• Supporting prototype, first article, and production assembly builds by creating and refining tooling and assembly methods.
• Working alongside Assembly Technicians and Manufacturing Engineering to improve assembly processes, tooling design, ergonomics, product quality, and production efficiency.
• Fabricating tooling components through layout, drilling, tapping, fitting, grinding, deburring, and precision mechanical assembly.
• Troubleshooting assembly and tooling issues and implementing corrective actions to minimize downtime and improve manufacturability.
• Inspecting completed assemblies and tooling to ensure compliance with engineering drawings, specifications, and quality standards.
• Maintaining manufacturing documentation, tooling records, setup sheets, and part traceability.
• Keeping tooling, equipment, and work areas clean, organized, and production‑ready while adhering to 5S principles.
• Following all company quality standards, safety procedures, and manufacturing best practices.
• Performing other duties as assigned.

Skills

Tool making

Mechanical assembly

Blueprint reading

Hand & power tools

Quality inspection

Problem solving

Tools

Drill presses

Grinders

Torque wrenches

Precision measuring

Layout & fitting

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:

An Aerospace Tool Maker – Assembly Technician, you will support the Assembly team by building, modifying, and maintaining production tooling, fixtures, jigs, and work holding devices while actively participating in the assembly of precision aerospace components. Working closely with Manufacturing Engineering and Assembly personnel, you will develop tooling solutions that improve quality, efficiency, and repeatability while providing hands‑on support during prototype and production assembly builds.

What you’ll be doing as a Tool Maker - Assembly Technician:

• Working a full‑time, onsite position at our Sumner, WA location.
• Building, modifying, repairing, and maintaining tooling, fixtures, jigs, templates, gauges, and work holding devices that support assembly operations.
• Performing mechanical assembly of precision aerospace components using hand tools, power tools, pneumatic tools, and assembly equipment while following engineering drawings and work instructions.
• Supporting prototype, first article, and production assembly builds by creating and refining tooling and assembly methods.
• Working alongside Assembly Technicians and Manufacturing Engineering to improve assembly processes, tooling design, ergonomics, product quality, and production efficiency.
• Fabricating tooling components through layout, drilling, tapping, fitting, grinding, deburring, and precision mechanical assembly.
• Troubleshooting assembly and tooling issues and implementing corrective actions to minimize downtime and improve manufacturability.
• Inspecting completed assemblies and tooling to ensure compliance with engineering drawings, specifications, and quality standards.
• Maintaining manufacturing documentation, tooling records, setup sheets, and part traceability.
• Keeping tooling, equipment, and work areas clean, organized, and production‑ready while adhering to 5S principles.
• Following all company quality standards, safety procedures, and manufacturing best practices.
• Performing other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications (Education, skills and experience):

• Experience building, modifying, or repairing production tooling, fixtures, jigs, or work holding devices.
• Experience performing mechanical assembly in a manufacturing environment.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering blueprints, tooling drawings, assembly drawings, and work instructions.
• Experience using hand tools, power tools, pneumatic tools, drill presses, grinders, torque wrenches, and precision measuring equipment.
• Strong mechanical aptitude with the ability to fabricate, fit, and assemble tooling and production components.
• Experience performing layout, drilling, tapping, reaming, deburring, fitting, and light fabrication.
• Familiarity with quality inspection methods and maintaining production standards.
• Ability to troubleshoot tooling and assembly issues while identifying opportunities for process improvement.
• Proficient in basic shop math and precision measurement techniques.
• Strong attention to detail with excellent organizational and problem‑solving skills.
• Adherence to safety protocols, company policies, and state/federal regulations

Preferred Qualifications (Education, skills and experience):

• Prior experience in aerospace or manufacturing
• Familiar with prototype or experimental assembly work
• Knowledge of document search and retrieval in electronic systems
• Proficient with MRP/ERP systems
• Comfort providing process improvement suggestions
• Experience with test and evaluation of assemblies under simulated conditions
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate faulty operations and contribute to resolutions

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 Tool Maker – Assembly Techniciancompensation rangefor onsite Washington applicants is $20-30 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, and local law.

Applicants wishing to receive information on RTCA’s Affirmative 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.