Senior Manufacturing Engineer - CNC Machining
This is not a pure programming role and not an operator role. The right candidate will be able to look at a print and determine:
- How the part should be manufactured
- Sequence of operations
- Setup strategy
- Workholding and fixturing
- Tooling approach
- Machine allocation
- Inspection considerations
- Risk areas before production
Primary Responsibilities
- Process Planning & Setup Strategy
- Develop machining process plans for aerospace components
- Determine optimal sequence of operations for complex machined parts
- Design and standardize setup sheets and routing instructions
- Define datums, setup logic, and manufacturing strategy
- Identify manufacturability concerns before release to production
- CNC Manufacturing Support
- Collaborate with CNC programmers and machinists to prove out jobs
- Determine optimal machine selection for production
- Recommend tooling and workholding strategies
- Reduce setup times and improve repeatability
- Troubleshoot manufacturing issues and bottlenecks
- Continuous Improvement
- Standardize repeatable machining practices
- Improve throughput, quality, and cycle efficiency
- Reduce scrap and rework
- Establish process documentation and best practices
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Work with quality, engineering, programmers, and machinists
- Support first article inspection and production readiness
- Drive process consistency across CNC operations
Required Qualifications
- Active Secret security clearance or ability to obtain and maintain a clearance
- 7+ years of CNC machining manufacturing engineering experience
- Aerospace machining experience strongly preferred
- Strong experience with multi-axis CNC machining (3/4/5-axis preferred)
- Experience with Mazak equipment preferred
- Strong understanding of setup planning, fixturing and workholding, GD&T, tolerancing, machining strategy, and process routing
- Ability to read engineering prints and independently develop machining plans
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in high-mix, low-volume aerospace manufacturing
- Familiarity with CAM software (Mastercam, NX, HyperMill, Fusion, Esprit, or similar)
- Experience supporting first article and production transfer
- Experience improving manufacturing flow and setup reduction
What Success Looks Like
- Setups become predictable and repeatable
- Less tribal knowledge, more documented process
- Reduced machine downtime between jobs
- Better planning before parts hit the floor
- Operators spend more time machining and less time figuring out how to run the job
- Improved throughput and fewer production surprises
This is a full-time salaried position with highly competitive compensation based on experience and skills, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities for career growth. Approximately 10% travel is expected.
