What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Machinist: CNC / GD&T / G&M Code / Setup position at iRocket?
Role overview
We’re hiring a Senior Machinist: CNC / GD&T / G&M Code / Setup with hands-on experience setting up and running multi-axis CNC equipment. You’ll own setups end-to-end, help prove out new programs, and support both R&D builds and short production runs.
What you’ll do
- Read and interpret engineering drawings, setup sheets, and related documentation; apply GD&T requirements.
- Set up and operate multi-axis CNC milling and turning equipment (including mill-turn / live tooling where applicable).
- Configure workholding and fixtures (vise, soft jaws, tombstones, custom fixtures) per setup documentation and best practices.
- Run, validate, and help prove out new CNC programs; support first-article / first-piece verification.
- Diagnose machining issues and make minor program/parameter adjustments (feeds/speeds, offsets) during runs.
- Perform in-process and final inspection using standard precision metrology tools; document results as required.
- Maintain machines and work area (basic preventive care, cleanliness, chip/coolant management).
- Adapt between fast-turn prototype/R&D work and short-run production while maintaining quality and repeatability.
Required qualifications
- 3 years experience as a CNC machinist/operator and setup technician in a precision environment.
- Must be proficient in G-Code and M-Code programming with the ability to troubleshoot, edit, prove out processes, perform first piece runs, and recommend changes to programs on multi-axis machine tools proficiently.
- Experience with multi-axis machining (3 1 / 3 2); familiarity with complex toolpaths and 3D surfaces.
- Experience with live-tooling lathes, mill-turns, or multi-task machines.
- Working knowledge of machining a range of materials (e.g., aluminum alloys, stainless, alloy steels, and other engineering materials).
- Solid understanding of tooling, tool life, cutters, and fixturing methods.
- Intermediate ability to interpret and apply GD&T.
- Able to take ownership of the setup and run process from start to finish; comfortable juggling multiple competing priorities.
- U.S. Person status required due to access to export-controlled technical data.
Preferred qualifications
- Experience with simultaneous 5-axis setup and operation.
- Experience working with Okuma CNC machines and controllers.
- Comfortable referencing a CAD model to verify dimensions/features (model-based measurement).
- Experience with CMM inspection (e.g., PC-DMIS or similar).
- Waterjet experience.
Additive manufacturing exposure (e.g., FDM/SLA) and/or post-processing familiarity.
About the team
The CNC Machining team works directly with the engineering and manufacturing teams to produce precision components for propulsion and vehicle systems.
About iRocket
Founded in 2018, Innovative Rocket Technologies Inc. is revolutionizing the space industry as the first fully autonomous and 100% reusable rocket manufacturer. iRocket is building the world’s first reusable rocket engines with a setup focused on reusability from the beginning, including high performance and long life. We will Recondition, Reload, and Relaunch™ our rockets synonymous with how we use airplanes today for multiple daily flights in under 24 hrs. achieving reusability 2.0. Utilizing cutting-edge 3D printing and additive manufacturing technology, we’re dedicated to providing reliable and rapid access to space at a low cost. Our innovative design addresses the inefficiencies in the industry, while our proprietary reusable engine technology positions us as the leading small launch service provider. Join us on our journey to space.
Benefits
What we offer
- Benefits: [Health/Dental/Vision/401(k)/PTO]
- High-impact work on real aerospace hardware
- Fast-paced environment with direct collaboration across engineering, test, and manufacturing