CNC Operator Lead

We are searching for Director of Manufacturing Engineering to lead manufacturing engineering, CNC programming, digital manufacturing, and new product introduction (NPI).

This hands-on leadership role will guide complex, flight-critical components from customer drawings and models through first-article acceptance and stable production. The successful candidate will improve production readiness, shorten NPI lead times, strengthen programming and verification standards, and develop a high-performing technical team.

The position offers the opportunity to make an immediate impact on manufacturing performance while building a long-term digital manufacturing strategy that can support multiple facilities.

Key Responsibilities

Manufacturing Engineering & CNC Programming

• Lead manufacturing engineers, methods engineers, CNC programmers, and supporting technical resources.

• Translate customer drawings, CATIA models, specifications, and technical requirements into controlled, production-ready manufacturing processes.

• Guide complex milling, turning, mill-turn, and multi-axis machining strategies for aerospace materials and precision components.

• Establish and maintain CATIA CAM standards, reusable programming methods, tooling libraries, postprocessor practices, setup documentation, and program release controls.

• Strengthen CNC verification using VERICUT or equivalent software, including accurate machine, fixture, stock, tool, and holder models.

• Improve cycle times, setups, machine utilization, and process capability while maintaining quality and customer requirements.

New Product Introduction & Production Readiness

• Lead engineering activities from design transfer through first-article approval and production launch.

• Establish clear NPI milestones, readiness reviews, project ownership, and escalation procedures.

• Prioritize projects based on customer commitments, material availability, machine capacity, and technical risk.

• Coordinate programming, tooling, fixture development, inspection planning, and operator preparation during material lead times.

• Reduce scrap, rework, and proof-out risk through simulation, technical reviews, and documented corrective actions.

• Evaluate additive manufacturing applications for fixtures, prototypes, and surrogate parts that support process development and validation.

Digital Manufacturing & Continuous Improvement

• Develop and execute a multiyear digital manufacturing roadmap connecting engineering models, process plans, CNC programs, verification, inspection, and actual production costs.

• Capture machining expertise in controlled standards, libraries, and reusable part-family methods.

• Evaluate automation and AI-assisted tools for programming, knowledge management, and manufacturing estimating, with appropriate technical review and approval.

• Partner with Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, Program Management, Finance, and IT to improve manufacturing performance.

• Develop business cases for software, simulation, additive manufacturing, and automation investments.

• Support consistent engineering practices and knowledge sharing across facilities.

Team & Customer Leadership

• Set clear priorities, performance expectations, and development plans for the engineering team.

• Build a culture of accountability, timely problem-solving, technical discipline, and continuous improvement.

• Serve as a customer-facing technical leader for manufacturability, process readiness, validation, corrective action, and recovery planning.

• Manage outside technical resources while maintaining internal ownership of standards, approvals, and manufacturing knowledge.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Aerospace, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical discipline; an equivalent combination of education and demonstrated accomplishments will be considered.

• At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in aerospace, defense, precision machining, or advanced manufacturing, including technical leadership.

• Strong practical expertise in CATIA manufacturing and CAM workflows , including production programming and machining process development.

• Experience with VERICUT or equivalent independent NC verification and machine simulation tools .

• Demonstrated experience leading NPI, first-article activities, manufacturing readiness, or production launches for complex metallic components.

• Advanced understanding of CNC machining, multi-axis process development, tooling, fixtures, workholding, and controlled program release.

• Knowledge of GD&T, CMM inspection, on-machine probing, special processes, process validation, and AS9100 manufacturing environments.

• Proven ability to manage competing priorities involving customer deadlines, material constraints, and machine capacity.

• Strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively with operators, programmers, customers, and senior leadership.

• Ability to work onsite in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

• Eligibility to access export-controlled technical data and work within the required controlled environment, as determined by applicable regulations and contract requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience manufacturing landing gear, actuation systems, rotorcraft components, structural parts, turbine-engine components, or comparable flight-critical hardware.

• Experience implementing CATIA templates, knowledgeware, feature-based programming, or automated manufacturing workflows.

• Advanced VERICUT configuration or machining optimization experience.

• Familiarity with model-based definition, digital manufacturing, digital twins, MES/ERP integration, or Industry 4.0 initiatives.

• Practical experience using additive manufacturing for tooling, fixtures, work aids, or NPI development.

• Experience improving manufacturing estimates using historical setup, cycle-time, tooling, inspection, and cost data.

• Experience establishing engineering standards, shared technical