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CNC Machinist III - A Shift

Rocket Lab · Long Beach, CA

Posted Oct 30, 2026

Est. total comp~$88K–$119K

Apply on Rocket Lab's site ↗

From the posting

ABOUT ROCKET LAB

Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems that keep the world connected, protected, expand humanity’s reach to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. We move fast, build real hardware for meaningful missions, and make the impossible routine. Come shape the future with us.

NEUTRON

Neutron is a medium lift launch vehicle capable of delivering the mega constellations of tomorrow, high assurance payloads, and human spaceflight. As a highly reusable launch platform, Neutron will deliver a highly cost-effective and reliable launch solution leveraging Rocket Lab’s proven execution history with the Electron program. If you’re interested in joining a high performing team, pushing the boundaries with a clean sheet development of re-usable liquid launch vehicle, this is your opportunity!

CNC MACHINIST III - A SHIFT

Based out of Rocket Lab Headquarters in Long Beach, California the CNC Machinist III will maintain, set up and operate the CNC machines to build flight-ready hardware that meet Rocket Lab specification at the needed rate.

WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO:

Work with CNC lathe and mill machines

Read and translate drawings/CAD models

Provide feedback to improve work instructions

Work with CNC programmer to maintain tolerances

Work to reduce any non-conformances found by quality or engineering.

Provide improvement ideas on batch sizes, setups, tool selection etc. …

Excerpt from Rocket Lab's public job board. Read the full posting.

Job inventory

Required 3 items

Experience: 5+ years of experience in CNC operation on lathe and mills

Skills and tools: GD&T

Clearance and work authorization: US person (ITAR)

Preferred 3 items

Skills and tools: Siemens NX, Lathe, Mill

Also in the posting: Work A Shift (Monday – Thursday 5:00am - 3:30pm); Stand and walk for entire shift; Climb ladders; Lift, carry, push, and pull materials up to 25 lbs; Flexibility to work extended hours, weekends, and varied shifts

Get ready for this role

Crew department: Drilling

Skills this kind of role usually asks for:

CAD
Machining
Mechanical design and failure analysis
Rock and soil mechanics basics
Motors, gearboxes and torque control

Related coursework: the Drilling Track: Rigs, Well Control and Geothermal. We study 4 core modules, take a quiz after each one and pass a final test to earn the Mars Mining Certificate in Drilling Fundamentals. We can link its verification page from our resume. It records online learning, not professional licensing or work experience.

Join the crew and train for this role About Drilling

Quick self-check: are you ready for this one?Free, no signup. Your answers stay in this browser tab.

I can do CAD on the job, or have used it in a class or project I can do Machining on the job, or have used it in a class or project I can do Mechanical design and failure analysis on the job, or have used it in a class or project I can do Rock and soil mechanics basics on the job, or have used it in a class or project I can do Motors, gearboxes and torque control on the job, or have used it in a class or project I have a project or work sample I could show an interviewer My resume is tailored to this kind of role I've practiced answering interview questions for this kind of job

Free. The department comes from the job title and can be off. A Mars Mining certificate shows you studied and passed our test; it isn't a license or academic credit.

About this listing. Pulled automatically from Rocket Lab's public job board and refreshed daily; closed roles are removed. Mars Mining Co. is not the employer, does not take applications and does not screen candidates. Field and level labels come from the job title and can be wrong.

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