The Manufacturing Engineer will play a critical role in supporting aerospace and defense machining operations from the quoting stage through production and quality. This position requires a hands-on engineer with strong technical expertise in precision CNC machining, including 3-, 4-, and 5-axis work, who can bridge quoting, process development, and quality assurance.
The ideal candidate will develop and optimize manufacturing processes, ensure compliance with AS9100D standards, and support continuous improvement initiatives that align with customer, regulatory, and defense-aerospace requirements.
Key Responsibilities
· Support aerospace and defense programs in compliance with
AS9100 Rev D requirements throughout the product lifecycle
· Provide technical input and detailed
cost estimating during the quoting process, including time studies, routing development, and manufacturing method recommendations
· Develop, document, and optimize machining processes for complex aerospace components, including
CNC machining and lathe turning (3-, 4-, and 5-axis milling and turning)
·
Create manufacturing plans , including routings,
Bills of Materials (BOMs) , job travelers, and detailed work instructions
· Author, maintain, and revise
AS9100 procedures and work instructions , ensuring compliance with internal quality systems and customer requirements
· Utilize
ERP systems (ERP experience required) to support planning, scheduling, routing accuracy, inventory control, and cost tracking
· Collaborate closely with programming, production, and quality teams to ensure manufacturability, efficiency, and compliance with customer and regulatory requirements
· Support New Product Introduction (NPI), tooling design/selection, process validation, and production readiness reviews
· Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on cycle time reduction, setup optimization, tooling efficiency, and overall throughput
· Provide technical support during First Article Inspections (FAI), root cause analysis, and corrective/preventive actions
· Act as a technical liaison between estimating, engineering, production, and quality to resolve manufacturing issues and improve performance
Qualifications
Required
· Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or equivalent experience
· 5+ years of experience in precision aerospace machining (aerospace & defense environment strongly preferred)
· Proven knowledge of CNC machining, including 3-, 4-, and 5-axis milling and turning
· Strong understanding of GD&T, aerospace blueprints, and tight-tolerance machining requirements
· Experience with quoting, cost estimation, and process planning
· Familiarity with AS9100D/ISO 9001 quality systems and aerospace/defense compliance requirements
· Hands-on problem-solving skills, with experience in root cause and corrective action methodologies
· Proficiency in CAD/CAM and ERP/MRP systems (Sage 100 experience a plus)
Preferred
· Experience supporting New Product Introduction (NPI) in aerospace machining
· Knowledge of ITAR, defense contracts, and customer FAI requirements
· Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma certification
· Ability to collaborate effectively across engineering, production, and quality teams
· Strong communication and presentation skills for both technical and customer-facing situations
