Tooling Technician

Front Door Defense; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 41,000 - 83,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

401k

Relocation support

Flexible vacation

Equity

Job summary

Hadrian in Los Angeles is seeking a Tooling Technician to scale and optimize tooling systems for aerospace fabrication across multiple product families. This hands-on role focuses on precision mechanical construction, metrology, and collaboration across engineering, manufacturing, and operations to enable high‑quality tooling and fast, repeatable production.

Ideal candidates have 10+ years in precision tooling, deep experience with model-based metrology, and strong GD&T and blueprint

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of experience in precision mechanical construction.
• Minimum 10 years of experience with model-based metrology tools (laser trackers, articulated arms, or CMM).
• Proficiency in geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) and blueprint interpretation.

Responsibilities

• Fabricate and assemble complex tooling with precision using advanced reference systems.
• Design and develop fixtures and tooling interfaces to improve manufacturability.
• Set up and utilize optical instruments and metrology tools for inspection and alignment.
• Interpret engineering drawings, CAD models, and specifications for high-precision setups.
• Identify and implement continuous improvements to tooling processes and equipment utilization.

Skills

Precision mechanical construction

Model-based metrology

GD&T

Blueprint interpretation

Bench inspection tools

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Laser trackers

Coordinate Measuring Machines (CMM)

Articulated arms

Job description

Tooling Technician

Scale and optimize tooling systems for aerospace fabrication across multiple product families.

Location: Los Angeles, California

Compensation: $30 - 60 USD / hour

About The Role

Hadrian - Manufacturing the Future

Hadrian is building autonomous factories to reindustrialize America. By combining AI, advanced software, robotics, and full-stack manufacturing, we help aerospace and defense companies build rockets, satellites, aircraft, ships, and other mission-critical systems up to 10x faster and at significantly lower cost.

Following our $1.37B Series D at a $7.87B valuation, Hadrian is rapidly expanding our manufacturing footprint, launching new capabilities across welding, casting, forging, electronics, additive manufacturing, and more, while scaling our Factory-as-a-Service platform to transform how critical products are built.

Backed by leading investors including JPMorgan Chase, Valor Equity Partners, Andreessen Horowitz, Founders Fund, 137 Ventures, Lux Capital, T. Rowe Price, and Morgan Stanley, we’re building the future of American manufacturing—and looking for exceptional people to help make it happen.

If you’re ready to take on the most challenging and rewarding work of your career while helping create American manufacturing jobs for generations to come, you’re exactly who we’re looking for.

The Role

We are seeking a Tooling Technician to serve as a cornerstone of our fabrication and automation operations. This is a hands‑on, technical role ideal for someone with deep experience in precision mechanical construction, metrology, and cross‑functional collaboration. You will help establish and scale a world‑class fabrication shop supporting aerospace, automotive, maritime, and defense applications.

Your Responsibilities

• Fabricate and assemble complex tooling (e.g., jigs, fixtures, tool masters, gauges) with precision, using advanced reference systems.
• Design and develop custom holding devices, fixtures, and tooling interfaces to improve manufacturability and efficiency.
• Set up and utilize optical instruments and model‑based metrology tools for inspection and alignment.
• Interpret and work from detailed engineering drawings, CAD models, and specifications to perform high‑precision setups.
• Identify and recommend continuous improvements to tooling processes, documentation, and equipment utilization.

What We’re Looking For

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in precision mechanical construction.
• Minimum 10 years of experience with model‑based metrology tools (e.g., laser trackers, articulated arms, or coordinate measuring machines).
• Proficiency in geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T), engineering reference systems, and complex blueprint interpretation.
• Demonstrated hands‑on expertise with bench inspection tools and advanced metrology equipment.

What Will Set You Apart

• Knowledge of tooling integration with automated manufacturing systems.
• Experience with building and assembling large, complex fixtures.
• Understanding of welding processes and their impact on tooling accuracy and tolerance stack‑up.
• Strong collaboration and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively across technical teams.

Benefits for Full-time Employees

• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans for employees
• 401k
• Relocation support may be provided for certain situations, based on business need.
• Flexible vacation policy
• Equity

ITAR Requirements

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.

Use of AI in Hiring

Hadrian uses AI‑assisted tools in our recruiting and hiring processes to help our team work more efficiently. This may include tools that help organize and analyze recruiting data, as well as an AI‑powered notetaker that can record and transcribe interviews and help coordinate feedback. These tools support our team and are not used to make hiring decisions. All candidate evaluations and hiring decisions are performed by humans. If an interview will be recorded, you will be notified in advance and may opt out at any time with no impact on your candidacy. Candidate data processed through these tools is subject to the same protections described in our Privacy Policy.

Hadrian Is An Equal Opportunity Employer

It is the Company’s policy to provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. The Company does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race inclusive of traits historically associated with race (including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles, such as braids, locks and twists), color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, national origin (including, in California, possession of a drivers license), ancestry, citizenship, age, physical or mental disability, height or weight, medical condition, family care status, military or veteran status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, genetic information, exercise of reproductive rights, any other basis protected by local, state, or federal laws, or any combination of the above characteristics. When necessary, the Company also makes reasonable accommodations for disabled candidates and employees, including for candidates or employees who are disabled by pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions.