Production Manager

Aerospace CNC Production Manager

CNC Production manager needed for machine shop in Santa Ana, CA. Pay is flexible based on experience but typically between $180,000-$200,000 a year. This role oversees day-shift production operations in a mid-size AS9100-certified machine shop specializing in build-to-print, 5-axis machined parts for aerospace and defense customers. The Production Manager leads machining activities, ensures on-time delivery and quality, and drives efficient use of equipment, people, and processes while providing hands-on expertise in estimating, machining, and planning.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage day-shift production operations in a 5-axis CNC machine shop, ensuring safe, efficient, and reliable output.
• Oversee production of build-to-print machined parts for a wide range of aerospace and defense customers, maintaining strict quality and delivery standards.
• Plan, schedule, and coordinate production activities across machining, deburr, quality, and shipping teams to meet customer requirements.
• Estimate machining run-times for complex parts in various materials, including aluminum, stainless steel, Inconel, Aluminum 7050-T7451, and Ti-6Al-4V (Grade 5).
• Apply deep knowledge of machining, CNC programming, cutting tools, and fixture design to optimize processes and reduce cycle times.
• Review and interpret blueprints and technical drawings to ensure accurate planning, setup, and execution of machining operations.
• Collaborate closely with programmers and machinists to resolve technical issues and improve manufacturability of parts.
• Work with outside processors to coordinate secondary operations and ensure parts meet specifications and timelines.
• Provide hands-on guidance and supervision to production staff, promoting best practices in machining, setup, and inspection.
• Monitor production performance, identify bottlenecks, and implement process improvements to increase throughput and efficiency.
• Ensure adherence to AS9100 standards and internal quality procedures throughout all production activities.
• Participate in technical discussions and reviews, including walking through example parts and explaining approaches to machining and estimating.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives to enhance productivity, quality, and overall shop performance.

Essential Skills

• Proven experience running production at an AS9100-certified machine shop with 5-axis CNC machines in a contract manufacturing environment.
• Current experience managing production at a facility machining build-to-print parts for aerospace and defense customers.
• Strong ability to estimate machining run-times for a wide range of parts and geometries across multiple materials, including aluminum, stainless steel, Inconel, Aluminum 7050-T7451, and Ti-6Al-4V (Grade 5).
• Extensive hands-on experience in machining operations, including mill machining and 5-axis CNC work.
• Proficiency with CNC programming and related tools, including Mastercam.
• Demonstrated expertise with cutting tools, fixture design, and fixture methodology for complex parts.
• Ability to read, interpret, and work from blueprints and technical drawings.
• Experience in production planning, scheduling, and estimating within a machine shop environment.
• Strong supervision and leadership skills in a production or machining setting.
• Experience collaborating with outside processors for secondary operations.
• Solid understanding of AS9100 quality requirements and their application in daily production.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience working in a mid-size machine shop environment with multiple functional teams such as machining, deburr, quality, and shipping.
• Experience in contract manufacturing for aerospace and defense industries.
• Comfort explaining machining and estimating approaches in technical discussions, including phone screens and reviews.
• Familiarity with coordinating work among machinists, programmers, and support staff to meet tight deadlines.
• Ability to drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on efficiency, quality, and throughput.

Why Work Here?

You will join a growing organization with a strong, collaborative team and supportive ownership that values technical excellence and continuous improvement. The shop maintains deep relationships with leading aerospace and defense companies, offering exposure to cutting-edge projects and complex parts. You will have the opportunity to influence processes, mentor a skilled team, and grow with a company that is actively expanding its capabilities and customer base.

Work Environment

The role is based in a mid-size machine shop located in Santa Ana, CA, operating a day shift from approximately 5:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The facility employs around 45 people and is growing, with a machining team of about 25 and 4–5 dedicated programmers. The shop includes machining, deburr, quality, and shipping departments, providing an end-to-end production environment. You will work around 5-axis CNC machines and related equipment in an AS9100-certified setting focused on precision aerospace and defense components. The environment is hands-on and production-focused, with close collaboration between machinists, programmers, and support teams.

Job Type & Location: This is a Permanent position based out of Santa Ana, CA.

Pay and Benefits: The pay range for this position is $180000.00 - $200000.00/yr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors. medical, dental, vision, PTO, sick pay, bonuses

Workplace Type: This is a fully onsite position in Santa Ana, CA.

Application Deadline: This position is anticipated to close on Sep 11, 2026.