Lead Toolmaker

Employer description

Date Posted:

2026-10-21 Country:

United States of America Location:

US-CT-EAST HARTFORD-RTRC H ~ 411 Silver Ln ~ RTRC H Position Role Type:

Onsite U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements:

U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are authorized to access information under this program/contract. Security Clearance Type:

None/Not Required Security Clearance Status:

Not Required

At RTX, the world’s largest aerospace and defense company, 185,000 great minds are united by purpose and inspired to make a difference solving the world’s most complex problems. With our three market leading businesses, world-class operations and investments in research and development, we offer capabilities and opportunity no one else can. Together, we push the boundaries of known science and find new ways to connect and protect our world. Join us and help shape the future of aerospace and defense.

What You Will Do

The successful candidate will be responsible for manufacturing complex hardware, components, and systems that push the boundaries of technology. The individual will participate in project meetings, support manufacturing process development, contribute to design reviews, and produce hardware for testing, demonstration, and evaluation. This role requires close collaboration with a variety of internal and external customers on unique fabrication assignments involving prototype and test hardware. The successful candidate must be a motivated self-starter with a collaborative mindset and the ability to build effective working relationships across multidisciplinary teams to achieve project objectives. They must demonstrate strong communication skills and a commitment to safety, continuous improvement, adherence to established standards, company policies, integrity, ethics, and legal compliance. The candidate must possess a strong foundation in both CNC and conventional machining methods, along with working knowledge of CAD/CAM programming. They will be expected to work with minimal supervision to develop manufacturing process plans, design and implement work holding and fixturing solutions, perform machine setups, execute machining operations, and inspect completed hardware to ensure compliance with design and quality requirements. In addition, the candidate will effectively prioritize multiple assignments, and consistently meet or exceed quality, delivery, and cost objectives in a fast-paced research and development environment.

What You Will Learn

The candidate will leverage their existing expertise in CNC and conventional machining, CAD/CAM programming, work holding, setup, process planning, and inspection while continuing to develop their skills through hands-on involvement in the fabrication of complex prototype and test hardware. This role provides the opportunity to apply established machining knowledge while expanding technical, manufacturing, and cross-functional collaboration capabilities within a fast-paced research and development environment.

Qualifications You Must Have

AA/AS degree (or other 2-year post high school training) with a minimum of 8 years relevant experience.CNC mill and lathe setup and operation Conventional machining experience Reading engineering drawings and interpreting GD&T (ASME Y14.5) Demonstrated experience with CAD/CAM software and conversational CNC programming

Qualifications We Prefer

Inspection and metrology using precision measurement toolsComputer proficiency, including Microsoft Office applicationsProcess planning and machining strategy Selection of tooling, feeds, and speeds Working to tight tolerances Working knowledge of Siemens NX, SolidWorks, CAMWorks, or similar CAD and CAM softwareAerospace and defense manufacturing experience Holding tolerances to ±0.0002” Proto-TRAK programming for Mills and LathesWire EDM and sinker EDMMetallurgy knowledgeSimultaneous 5-axis machining and programmingMachining nickel-based superalloys and titanium alloysCost estimating and schedulingGlobal Trade Compliance awarenessManufacturing directly from sketches, prints, and CAD modelsMachining additively manufactured (3D-printed) partsCandidates must have at least four years of experience in a prototype machine shop or similar manufacturing environment. Experience in aerospace, R&D, or prototype manufacturing is highly desirable.

Please ensure the role type defined below is appropriate for your needs before applying to this role. This position is classified as:

Onsite: Employees who are working in Onsite roles will work primarily onsite. This includes all production and maintenance employees, as they are essential to the development of our products.

For onsite and hybrid roles, commuting to and from the assigned site is the employee’s personal responsibility.

As part of our commitment to maintaining a secure hiring process, candidates may be asked to attend select steps of the interview process in-person at one of our office locations, regardless of whether the role is designated as on-site, hybrid or remote.

The salary range for this role is 60,000 USD - 114,000 USD. The salary range provided is a good faith estimate representative of all experience levels. RTX considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role, function and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, location, education/training, and key skills.

Hired applicants may be eligible for benefits, including but not limited to, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, flexible work schedules, employee assistance program, Employee Scholar Program, parental leave, paid time off, and holidays. Specific benefits are dependent upon the specific business unit as well as whether or not the position is covered by a collective-bargaining agreement.

Hired applicants may be eligible for annual short-term and/or long-term incentive compensation programs depending on the level of the position and whether or not it is covered by a collective-bargaining agreement. Payments under these annual programs are not guaranteed and are dependent upon a variety of factors including, but not limited to, individual performance, business unit performance, and/or the company’s performance.

This role is a U.S.-based role. If the successful candidate resides in a U.S. territory, the appropriate pay structure and benefits will apply.

RTX anticipates the application window closing approximately 40 days from the date the notice was posted. However, factors such as candidate flow and business necessity may require RTX to shorten or extend the application window.

RTX is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any other applicable state or federal protected class. RTX provides affirmative action in employment for qualified Individuals with a Disability and Protected Veterans in compliance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act.

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