This is a hands-on leadership role responsible for overseeing daily machine shop operations while driving safety, quality, delivery, and continuous improvement across a high-mix, low-volume manufacturing environment.
The ideal candidate is an experienced machine shop leader who has grown through the machining ranks, understands complex manufacturing at a technical level, and enjoys building high-performing teams while solving difficult production challenges.
Responsibilities: - Help lead day-to-day machine shop floor operations across machining, programming, quality, and production teams.
- Develop, coach, and mentor machinists, programmers, and manufacturing personnel while fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
- Drive safety, quality, productivity, on-time delivery, and operational performance throughout the facility.
- Partner with manufacturing engineering and programming teams to support new product introductions, process development, first articles, and production launches.
- Remove production bottlenecks by troubleshooting machining, tooling, fixturing, programming, and quality challenges.
- Support automation initiatives including robotic cells, pallet systems, probing technology, and lights-out manufacturing.
- Ensure compliance with aerospace quality standards, inspection requirements, and customer expectations.
- Establish standardized manufacturing processes that improve repeatability, efficiency, and quality.
- Track operational metrics and lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on scrap reduction, cycle time improvements, and overall equipment effectiveness.
Requirements- 15+ years of CNC machining experience with progression into manufacturing leadership.
- Previous experience managing a precision machine shop, production department, or manufacturing operation.
- Strong background in high-mix, low-volume aerospace, defense, medical device, or other precision manufacturing environments.
- Extensive knowledge of 5-axis machining, process development, setup optimization, and production operations.
- Experience leading machinists, programmers, manufacturing engineers, inspectors, and production personnel.
- Strong understanding of GD&T, blueprint interpretation, tooling, fixturing, workholding, probing, offsets, and machining strategy.
- Experience with automation, robotic integration, pallet systems, or lights-out manufacturing preferred.
- Proven ability to improve operational performance through process optimization, coaching, and continuous improvement.
- Excellent communication, organizational, and leadership skills.
Benefits- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Company-paid life insurance
- 401(k) with company match
- Paid time off and holidays
- Ongoing technical training and career advancement
