Toolmaker/CNC Programmer
Howmet Aerospace · Hampton, VA
- Level
- Technician
- Team
- Manufacturing
- Industry
- Aerospace & defense
- Posted
- 30+ days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A technician-level manufacturing role at Howmet Aerospace (aerospace & defense) in Hampton, VA. Heat-treat tools or parts.
- Tools it names
- CNC, Machining, Injection molding, Welding, Casting, Tooling
- Day to day
- some off-shift / weekend coverage
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of November 2, 2026
Manufacturing Technician roles in the US: typical posted base $60k–$95k.
Median of the low and high ends of 65 live postings that list pay, out of 1046 manufacturing technician openings in the US, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Virginia plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 10 other live manufacturing postings in Virginia.
- Experience asked
- Not stated
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ CNC 64%
- ✓ Machining 64%
- Team leadership 45%
- ✓ Tooling 36%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for Injection molding, Welding, Casting, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Manufacturing team at Howmet Aerospace
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
- 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- Is the work mostly new product launches or sustaining existing lines?
- How much time do you spend on the floor versus at a desk?
- How does off-shift and weekend coverage work?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
This plant: Howmet Aerospace in Hampton
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- Maintenance & Facilities Engineering Manager - IGT · Reliability · Manager
Full description from Howmet AerospaceAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Responsibilities
- ◆Ability to read and follow the information on work instructions.
- ◆Record data either manually or by computer as required.
- ◆Studies specifications, such as blueprints, sketches, models, or descriptions and visualize product to determine materials. required and machines to be used to fabricate parts.
- ◆Computes dimension, plan layout, and determine assembly method and sequence of operations.
- ◆Measures, marks, and scribes metal stock for machining.
- ◆Sets up and operates machine tools, such as lathes, milling machine, and grinder to machine parts and verifies conformance of machined parts to specifications.
- ◆Lifts machined parts and positions and secure parts on surface plate or worktable.
- ◆Smooth flat and contoured surfaces and fits and assembles parts together into assemblies and mechanisms.
- ◆Verifies dimensions, alignments, and clearances.
- ◆Heat-treat tools or parts.
- ◆Examines new or previously used dies, tools, jigs, and fixtures, and recommends design modifications regarding construction and function of part.
- ◆Develops specifications from general descriptions for specialty tools and draws or sketches design of product.
- ◆Must be detail oriented and possess the ability to machine parts with tight tolerances.
- ◆Must comply with all company attendance policies and guidelines; this includes, but is not limited to, regular attendance and occasional overtime.
Qualifications
- ✓An application must include a resume and two professional references for review and consideration.
- ✓This position requires a minimum of high school diploma or GED certificate.
- ✓This position requires a minimum of five years of toolmaker and CNC programming experience and/or training.
- ✓Must be available for all shifts . Must be able to work overtime and weekends as the schedule varies depending on site operational needs; flexibility is required.
- ✓Employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
- ✓This position entails access to export-controlled items and employment offers are conditioned upon an applicant's ability to lawfully obtain access to such items.
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
This opening is with Howmet Aerospace – a world leader in investment casting of superalloys, aluminum and titanium primarily for jet aircraft and industrial gas turbine markets. For more information about Howmet Aerospace, visit us online at www.howmet.com .
Howmet has challenging opportunities for individuals who are excited to engage with us in growing our business. Join us where you will be part of a dedicated team to manufacture high tech products, safely, accurately, and efficiently, you will perform a variety of hands-on operations in accordance with standardized processes within customer specifications.
Howmet is currently looking for Tool Maker(s) to join our Industrial Gas Turbine (IGT) group in Hampton, Virginia. The available shift hours are 1st shift, M-F 7am-3pm and 2nd shift, M-F 3pm-11pm . Training is 1st shift, M-F 7am-3pm .
New Hire Starting Rate: $28.68 p/hr. ; After 6 months: $31.86 p/hr.
This position will receive an hourly “shift premium” of $1.00 p/hr. while assigned to an off shift.
Job Summary : The Tool Maker will analyze specifications, lay out metal stock, set up and operate machine tools, and fit and assemble parts to fabricate and repair wax injection molds, metalworking dies, jigs and fixtures, gauges, and machinists' hand tools.
Skills and Abilities
- •Ability to read and interpret documents, such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.
- •Ability to work with mathematical concepts, such as fundamentals of plane, solid geometry and trigonometry. Ability to apply concepts, such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
- •Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or scheduled form.
- •Ability to setup, program, and operate CNC machines.
- •Ability to create CAD models and drawings to use with CAM software.
Equipment Used: Vertical milling machine, Bridgeport EZ Trax/Acu-Rite milling machine, tree journeyman CNC milling machine, personal computer, engine lathe, band saw, radial arm drill press, floor drill, pedestal grinder, surface grinder, precision tool grinder, abrasive cutoff saw, bridge crane heat treat oven, welding machine, acetylene torch, air grinders, power tools, and hand tools.
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