Senior CNC Programmer

Vast · Hawthorne, CA

Level: Technician
Team: Manufacturing
Experience asked: 6+ years
Industry: Aerospace & defense
Posted: 30+ days ago

The role in 30 seconds

A technician-level manufacturing role at Vast (aerospace & defense) in Hawthorne, CA. Troubleshoot, repair, and maintain existing tools to extend their lifespan and ensure continuous production operations.

They ask for: 6+ years
Tools it names: GD&T, Robotics, CNC, Machining, Tooling

Read from the posting. The full description is below.

From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026

Manufacturing Technician roles in California: typical posted base $56k–$78k.

Median of the low and high ends of 10 live postings that list pay, out of 118 manufacturing technician openings in California, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.

California plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →

How this role compares

Against 85 other live manufacturing postings in California.

Base pay: Not listed in this posting
Experience asked: More than usual (6+ vs 4+)

Skills these teams ask for most

✓ Tooling 37%
✓ Machining 35%
Team leadership 35%
✓ CNC 35%
✓ New product launch 23%

✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.

It asks for 6+ years. If you're close, apply anyway: requirements are a wish list. Talk to someone doing this work there first.

At a glance

Lifts up to 25 lbs

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 Vast
We found 2 people at this company and state: 2 in this kind of role. Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. See 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.
Write to Joanne → (free)
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 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: Vast in Hawthorne

1 other open role at this site · 2 people we found in manufacturing roles at Vast.

Senior Manufacturing Engineer · Manufacturing · Senior

Full description from VastAs posted on their careers site.Show

Responsibilities

◆Proficiency in Mastercam for turning centers.
◆Design, develop, and manufacture tools, dies, jigs, fixtures, molds, and other equipment required for production, ensuring they meet exacting specifications and tolerances.
◆Choose appropriate materials for tool construction based on factors such as strength, durability, and compatibility with the manufacturing process.
◆Interpret engineering drawings, schematics, and technical specifications to accurately create or modify tools.
◆Inspect finished tools to verify their accuracy, precision, and quality, making necessary adjustments to ensure optimal performance.
◆Troubleshoot, repair, and maintain existing tools to extend their lifespan and ensure continuous production operations.
◆Work closely with design engineers, production managers, and other team members to ensure tools align with production

requirements

and goals.

✓Identify opportunities for process improvement and innovation in tool design and manufacturing techniques to enhance efficiency, safety, and product quality.
✓Maintain comprehensive records of tool designs, modifications, maintenance procedures, and any troubleshooting activities.
✓Adhere to all safety protocols and guidelines, promoting a safe working environment for yourself and your colleagues.

Qualifications

✓High school diploma or equivalency certificate.
✓6+ years experience in related machining role, 3+ years CAM with mill turn experience (lathe Y axis.)

Preferred Skills & Experience

✓Experience with Fanuc controller and Doosan / DNM PUMA turning centers.
✓Experience turning aerospace materials like Inconel 718, SS304, SS316, AL7075.
✓Experience fixturing and turning metal additive manufacturing parts.
✓Strong GD&T skills, and experience creating and reviewing drawings.
✓Proficiency in operating a variety of machine tools, including lathes, mills, grinders, and EDM machines.
✓Meticulous attention to detail and precision in all tasks, ensuring tools meet strict tolerances and specifications.
✓Strong problem-solving skills to identify issues, troubleshoot problems, and implement effective solutions.
✓Ability to adapt to changing manufacturing needs and work in a dynamic environment.
✓Effective communication skills to collaborate with cross-functional teams and provide insights on tool design and manufacturing processes.
✓Commitment to maintaining a safe work environment and following all safety protocols.
✓Capable of standing for extended periods and performing manual tasks that may require moderate physical effort.

Additional

Requirements

✓Willingness to work overtime, or weekends to support critical mission milestones.
✓Ability to lift up to 25 lbs unassisted.

Pay Range: California

$44 — $63 USD

Show full description ↓

Vast is developing next-generation space stations and space infrastructure using an incremental, hardware-rich, and low-cost approach. Vast is rapidly developing its multi-module Haven Station to ensure a continuous human presence in space for America and its allies, enabling advanced microgravity research and manufacturing, and unlocking a new space economy for government, corporate, and private customers. Haven Demo’s 2025 success made Vast the only operational commercial space station company to fly and operate its own spacecraft. Next, Haven-1 is expected to become the world’s first commercial space station when it launches in 2027, followed by additional Haven modules. Additionally, the company recently announced Vast Satellite , a high-power satellite product line leveraging its space station components and the heritage of Haven Demo.

Headquartered in Long Beach, California , and with more than 1,000 employees and over a billion dollars in private capital, Vast has built the facilities required to manufacture and operate America’s next space station. The company plans to develop future habitats and systems for the Moon and Mars, dedicated space stations for government partners, and other crewed systems that will unlock the expanding long-term space economy.

Vast is looking for a Senior CNC Programmer , reporting to the E-2 Principal Engineer, to support the development of the systems that will be required for the design and build of artificial-gravity human-rated space stations.

This will be a full-time , non-exempt position located in our Hawthorne facility.

This role will specifically support the Launcher E-2 liquid rocket engine program . Vast has the ambitious goal for E-2 to be the world’s highest-performing engine for small launchers, optimized for mass production and low cost. You will be a key team member helping complete the development of our E-2 engine into a reliable, high-performance product.

We are seeking a skilled and experienced Senior Programmer who works on lathe machines to join our team to machine E-2 parts and tools. You will play a crucial role in the development, fabrication, maintenance, and repair of various tools, jigs, and fixtures used in our production processes. Your precision, attention to detail, and ability to work with a variety of materials and machinery will contribute to the efficiency and quality of our manufacturing operations.