Job Summary: The
Senior Manufacturing Engineer -Machining & CNC Programming is responsible for leading the development, optimization, and sustainment of precision machining processes for aerospace components. This role serves as a technical authority for CNC programming and machining operations, supporting new product introduction (NPI), production readiness, and continuous improvement while ensuring compliance with aerospace quality standards and regulatory requirements.
What you will do: Aerospace Manufacturing & Process Engineering - Develop, validate, and optimize CNC machining processes for flight-critical and safety-critical aerospace components.
- Lead process planning, tooling strategies, fixturing concepts, and cycle time optimization for low- to medium-volume, high-mix production.
- Support new product introduction (NPI) by establishing manufacturing routings, work instructions, and control plans.
- Collaborate with design engineering to influence DFM/DFA and ensure manufacturability of complex aerospace designs.
- Support production readiness reviews (PRR), first article inspections (FAI), and rate readiness initiatives.
CNC Programming & Machining Expertise - Create, verify, and optimize CNC programs for 3-, 4-, and 5-axis machining centers and CNC lathes.
- Utilize CAM software (e.g., Mastercam, NX, CATIA, Fusion 360, GibbsCAM) to generate efficient, repeatable, and compliant toolpaths.
- Troubleshoot machining issues related to tooling wear, machine capability, thermal stability, and material behavior.
- Establish machining standards for aerospace materials such as aluminum alloys, titanium, stainless steel, and nickel-based superalloys.
Quality, Compliance & Risk Management - Ensure compliance with aerospace quality systems and standards (e.g., AS9100, NADCAP, customer-specific requirements).
- Interpret and apply GD&T per ASME Y14.5 and support inspection methods, including CMM and in-process verification.
- Conduct root cause analysis and corrective actions (RCCA) for nonconformances, scrap, and escapes.
- Support process capability studies (Cp/Cpk), SPC, PFMEA, and control plans.
Continuous Improvement & Cost Reduction - Drive lean manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives to reduce cycle time, improve yield, and lower the cost of quality.
- Identify opportunities for automation, advanced tooling, and new machining technologies.
- Support capital equipment evaluation, justification, and implementation for aerospace manufacturing needs.
Leadership & Collaboration - Provide technical mentorship to manufacturing engineers, CNC programmers, and machinists.
- Serve as a key technical interface between engineering, quality, supply chain, and operations teams.
- Support supplier development and machining process validation as required.
Qualifications: Required - Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline (or equivalent experience).
- 7+ years of manufacturing engineering experience with a strong emphasis on CNC machining in an aerospace environment.
- Advanced CNC programming and CAM experience, including multi-axis machining.
- Strong understanding of aerospace materials, cutting tools, fixturing, and precision machining practices.
- Proficiency in reading engineering drawings and GD&T per ASME standards.
- Experience supporting AS9100 quality systems and FAI processes.
Preferred - Experience with NADCAP special process compliance.
- Experience in machining complex, tight-tolerance aerospace components.
- Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or similar continuous improvement certification.
Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S.
We are an equal-opportunity employer. We do not discriminate in hiring or employment against any individual based on race, color, gender, national origin, ancestry, religion, physical or mental disability, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, pregnancy, citizenship, or any other factor protected by anti-discrimination laws.