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Machine Shop Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Machine Shop Technician II

Long Beach, CA ยท On-site

$25.80 - $35.48/hr

Communicate effectively with engineering teams and cross-functional stakeholders to translate ... Develop and enforce standardized workflows for machine shop operations, including shift hand-offs ...

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Machine Shop Technician II

Long Beach, CA ยท On-site

$25.80 - $35.48/hr

Communicate effectively with engineering teams and cross-functional stakeholders to translate ... Develop and enforce standardized workflows for machine shop operations, including shift hand-offs ...

Machine Shop Technician

Anaheim, CA ยท On-site

$25 - $30/hr

Interpret complex engineering blueprints, GD&T callouts, and CAD/CAM models to machine high-precision components * Diagnose and repair worn or broken tooling to restore original specifications with ...

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CNC Machinist

Vista, CA

$21 - $28.50/hr

Works closely with the Machine Shop Programmer and Engineers to ensure all machine shop fabricated parts and newly designed parts and assemblies are fabricated to the company's standards. Essential ...

CNC Machinist

Vista, CA ยท On-site

$21.25 - $29/hr

Works closely with the Machine Shop Programmer and Engineers to ensure all machine shop fabricated parts and newly designed parts and assemblies are fabricated to the company's standards. Essential ...

Works closely with the Machine Shop Programmer and Engineers to ensure all machine shop fabricated parts and newly designed parts and assemblies are fabricated to the company's standards. Essential ...

CNC Machinist-Vista,California

Del Mar, CA

$21.50 - $29.50/hr

Works closely with the Machine Shop Programmer and Engineers to ensure all machine shop fabricated parts and newly designed parts and assemblies are fabricated to the company's standards. Essential ...

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Machine Shop Engineer information

See California salary details

$31.1K

$127.1K

$191K

How much do machine shop engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for machine shop engineer in California is $127,083.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $100,200.00 and $153,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are Machine Shop Engineers?

Machine Shop Engineers are specialized professionals who design, develop, and oversee the manufacturing processes in a machine shop environment. They are responsible for creating detailed plans for producing parts or products, selecting appropriate materials, setting up and maintaining machinery, and ensuring that safety and quality standards are met. These engineers often collaborate with machinists, technicians, and other engineers to optimize workflow and improve efficiency. Their expertise is vital in industries such as automotive, aerospace, and manufacturing, where precision and quality are critical.

What are some common challenges faced by a Machine Shop Engineer, and how can they be addressed?

Machine Shop Engineers often encounter challenges such as maintaining precision and quality while meeting tight production deadlines, managing equipment downtime, and ensuring workplace safety. Addressing these issues involves close collaboration with machinists and maintenance teams, implementing preventive maintenance schedules, and continuously monitoring production processes for improvement opportunities. Effective communication and problem-solving skills are essential, as is staying updated with the latest manufacturing technologies and best practices to enhance productivity and quality.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Machine Shop Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Machine Shop Engineer, you need a solid background in mechanical engineering, machining processes, and manufacturing principles, often supported by a relevant engineering degree or technical certification. Familiarity with CAD/CAM software, CNC machinery, and industry standards like ISO 9001 is critical for designing and optimizing production workflows. Strong problem-solving, attention to detail, and effective communication are essential soft skills for collaborating with teams and troubleshooting issues. These competencies ensure efficient production, high-quality output, and the ability to adapt to evolving manufacturing technologies.

What is the difference between Machine Shop Engineer vs Machinist?

AspectMachine Shop EngineerMachinist
CredentialsBachelor's degree in Mechanical or Manufacturing EngineeringHigh school diploma or equivalent; technical training or apprenticeship
Work EnvironmentDesign, oversee manufacturing processes, and optimize machining operationsOperate and set up machine tools to produce parts
Industry UsageUsed in manufacturing plants, engineering firms, and product development

While Machine Shop Engineers focus on designing and improving machining processes, Machinists are hands-on workers who operate machine tools to produce parts. Both roles are essential in manufacturing, but they differ in responsibilities, education, and daily tasks.

What are popular job titles related to Machine Shop Engineer jobs in California? For Machine Shop Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Machine Shop Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Machine Shop Engineer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Machine Shop Engineer jobs? Cities in California with the most Machine Shop Engineer job openings:
Machine Shop Technician II

Machine Shop Technician II

Relativity Space

Long Beach, CA โ€ข On-site

$25.80 - $35.48/hr

Full-time

PTO

Posted yesterday

Be an early applicant


Job description

At Relativity Space, we're building rockets to serve today's needs and tomorrow's breakthroughs. Our Terran R vehicle will deliver customer payloads to orbit, meeting the growing demand for launch capacity. But that's just the start. Achieving commercial success with Terran R will unlock new opportunities to advance science, exploration, and innovation, pioneering progress that reaches beyond the known.

Joining Relativity means becoming part of something where autonomy, ownership, and impact exist at every level. Here, you're not just executing tasks; you're solving problems that haven't been solved before, helping develop a rocket, a factory, and a business from the ground up. Whether you're in propulsion, manufacturing, software, avionics, or a corporate function, you'll collaborate across teams, shape decisions, and see your work come to life in record time. Relativity is a place where creativity and technical rigor go hand in hand, and your voice will help define the stories we're writing together. Now is a unique moment in time where it's early enough to leave your mark on the product, the process, and the culture, but far enough along that Terran R is tangible and picking up momentum. The most meaningful work of your career is waiting. Join us.

About the Team:

The Materials and NDE (Non-Destructive Evaluation) team plays a central role in enabling Terran R to fly, re-fly, and scale: developing, characterizing, and inspecting materials and processes across all parts of the vehicle. From welding and additive manufacturing to advanced composites, the team works at the intersection of innovation and execution, balancing performance and reliability with cost, quality, and schedule. As we move toward first flight and beyond, the challenges become more exciting, offering opportunities to shape how we design and develop for re-use. With ownership across products, systems, and disciplines, engineers gain broad exposure and drive key decisions across design, manufacturing, and operations.

About the Role:

  • Operate and program CNC lathes, mills, and wire EDM machines, ensuring precision in machining aerospace metal alloys
  • Utilize CAD software to create and modify designs, implementing CNC programs (G-code) for producing materials test coupons
  • Maintain, troubleshoot, and calibrate machining equipment, ensuring compliance with aerospace industry standards
  • Communicate effectively with engineering teams and cross-functional stakeholders to translate project requirements into machining solutions
  • Work collaboratively with teams of varying technical expertise to optimize machining processes and troubleshoot manufacturing challenges
  • Develop and enforce standardized workflows for machine shop operations, including shift hand-offs and documentation of machining procedures

About You:

  • 2+ years of hands-on machining experience operating or programming CNC lathes, mills and/or EDM machines
  • Experience in machine maintenance, troubleshooting, and calibration to ensure optimal performance
  • Experience in using common inspection tools (calipers, micrometers, dial indicators, etc.)
  • Ability to interpret and verify engineering drawings, blueprints, and technical specifications using precision measuring instruments
  • Ability to adapt in fast paced environments

Nice to haves but not required:

  • Proficiency in CAD/CAM software and G-code programming
  • Solid understanding of machining best practices for aerospace materials
  • Strong oral and verbal communication skills
  • Strong understanding of tolerancing and measurement techniques in accordance with GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing) standards

At Relativity Space, we are committed to transparency and fairness in our compensation practices. Actual compensation will be determined based on experience, qualifications, and other job-related factors.
Compensation is only one part of our total rewards package. Relativity Space offers competitive salary and equity, a generous PTO and sick leave policy, parental leave, an annual learning and development stipend, and more! To see some of the benefits & perks we offer, please visit here.

Hiring Range:
$25.80โ€”$35.48 USD

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

If you need a reasonable accommodation, please contact us at accommodations@relativityspace.com.