Job Description SummaryThe Senior Manufacturing Engineer - Machining Process Specialist will lead the development, validation, industrialization, and standardization of CNC milling processes for structural components and mounting hardware. This role is responsible for delivering capable, repeatable, and scalable machining methods across a broad range of metallic materials while strengthening manufacturing standards and developing other Manufacturing Engineers.
The ideal candidate brings deep experience in process development for complex milled hardware, strong working knowledge of Siemens CNC controllers, and a proven track record of improving process capability through machining simulation, fixturing strategy, tool management, and process control. This is a senior technical leadership role balancing executing the work and leading supporting ME's.
Job DescriptionKey Responsibilities- Lead development, prove-out, validation, and optimization of milling processes for structural components and mounting hardware
- Establish robust, repeatable manufacturing methods that support Safety, Quality, Delivery, and Cost
- Drive process standardization across part families, including workholding strategy, tool management, in-process control, and process monitoring
- Lead technical maturation of manufacturing methods from concept through production readiness
- Apply machining simulation to validate toolpaths, reduce process risk, improve collision avoidance, and support efficient process development
- Define and standardize workholding approaches, including zero-point fixturing, to improve setup repeatability, changeover efficiency, and positional consistency
- Develop tooling control strategies including laser-based tool measurement / broken-tool detection and tool offset control
- Improve process capability through structured approaches to tool life management, tool performance tracking, and process monitoring
- Provide active technical leadership, mentoring, and development for other Manufacturing Engineers
- Troubleshoot machining issues using structured root cause analysis and implement durable corrective actions
- Partner with operations, quality, tooling, and other cross-functional teams to stabilize and improve manufacturing performance
- Document process standards, validation results, lessons learned, and best practices to support reuse and knowledge transfer
Required Experience- Bachelor's Degree accredited college or university + Minimum of 5 years of manufacturing experience OR (or a high school diploma / GED with a minimum of 4 years in engineering experience + a minimum of 5 years in CNC manufacturing experience
Preferred Experience
- 10+ years of manufacturing process development experience in machining or advanced manufacturing
- Strong experience developing CNC milling processes for structural hardware, machined components, or similarly complex metallic parts
- Strong experience with Siemens CNC controllers, Teamcenter, NX CAM/SIM
- Experience machining a wide range of aerospace materials, including aluminum, steel, titanium, HRSA, and Inconel
- Experience using machining simulation to support process validation and optimization
- Strong understanding of workholding, fixture design principles, cutting tool application, and process capability
- Experience implementing standardized approaches for:
- Zero-point workholding
- Tool setting and tool monitoring systems
- Tool life control
- In-process monitoring
- Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot machining processes in a structured, data-driven manner
- Demonstrated ability to lead technical initiatives and develop less experienced engineers
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
Desired Characteristics- Experience with multi-axis milling environments
- Strong understanding of machining process fundamentals, including tool engagement, stability, chatter risk, thermal effects, and machine/process variation
- Experience establishing scalable standards across machines, part families, and manufacturing cells
- Experience improving setup repeatability, tool utilization, and process robustness in production environments
- Ability to translate technical learning into standard work, training, and reusable process standards
- Strong continuous improvement mindset and sound technical judgment
- Little to no travel required
Relocation Assistance Provided: Yes
