Aerospace Machinist

Description:

Senior Aerospace Machinist
1st shift: 9/80 work schedule
Pay range: $30.50 to 57.25/hr
2 years contract
Location: Pasadena, CA 91109

Job Summary:

Fabricates metallic and nonmetallic parts, and fits and assembles machined parts into complete units, applying knowledge of machine shop theory and procedures, shop mathematics, machinability of materials, and layout techniques, operating conventional, special-purpose, and numerical control (NC) machines and machining centers.

Typical Functions and Responsibilities:

• Checks blueprints, sketches, drawings, manuals, specifications, or sample part to determine dimensions and tolerances of finished work piece, sequence of operations, and setup requirements.
• Measures, marks, and scribes dimensions and reference points on material or work piece as guides for subsequent machining.
• Selects, aligns, and secures holding fixtures, cutting tools, attachments, accessories, and materials on machines, such as mills, lathes, jig borers, grinders, and shapers.
• Calculates and sets controls to regulate machining factors, such as speed, feed, coolant flow, and depth and angle of cut, or enters commands to retrieve, input, or edit computerized machine control media.
• Starts and observes machine operation to detect malfunctions or out-of-tolerance machining, and adjusts machine controls or control media as required.
• Verifies conformance of finished work piece to specifications, using precision measuring instruments.
• Sets up and operates machine on trial run to verify accuracy of machine settings or programmed control data.
• Fits and assembles parts into complete assembly, using jigs, fixtures, surface plate, surface table, hand tools, and power tools.
• Verifies dimensions and alignment of assembly, using measuring instruments, such as micrometers, height gauges, and gauge blocks.
• May install machined replacement parts in mechanisms, machines, and equipment, and test operation of unit to ensure functionality and performance.
• May operate welding equipment to cut or weld parts.
• May develop specifications from general description and draw sketch of part or product to be fabricated.
• May confer with engineers, production personnel, programmers, or others to resolve machining or assembly problems.
• May specialize in setting up and operating NC machines and machining centers or set up and operate NC machines linked to automated storage, retrieval, and moving devices.

Skills:

• A High School diploma with a minimum of 10 years of related experience; an Associate’s degree with a minimum of 6 years of related experience; or a Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 3 years of related experience, plus completed technical training.
• Extensive technical expertise and hands-on experience in 5-axis CNC milling operations, as well as programming and fabricating high-precision components.
• Deep proficiency in CAD/CAM programming tools—specifically Mastercam—with a minimum of 5 years of active programming experience.
• Experience using Vericut software simulations for collision detection and verification.
• Strong ability to read and interpret complex blueprints and Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T), with the capability to self-inspect parts.
• An innovative mindset and ability to deploy advanced machining techniques, working autonomously to develop creative solutions to complex fabrication challenges.
• A solid understanding of Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) protective protocols when handling sensitive flight electronic hardware undergoing modification.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, including experience collaborating with engineering teams to understand technical requirements and project schedules.

Preferred Skills:

• 12+ years of prior aerospace or space industry programming and machining experience dealing with prototype and flight hardware.
• Experience with the programming, setup, and operation of CNC lathes (e.g., Okuma, Mori Seiki, and Monarch).
• Experience with the programming, setup, and operation of Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM).
• Solid background in conventional machining and precision toolroom operations.
• Proven experience serving as a lead machinist or team leader in day-to-day shop operations.