Senior Manufacturing Engineer - CNC Machining (Automotive)

About the job Senior Manufacturing Engineer - CNC Machining (Automotive)


Job Overview

We are seeking a Senior Manufacturing Engineer with strong hands-on CNC machining expertise in high-volume automotive manufacturing. This role focuses on improving machining performance, increasing OEE, reducing scrap, and driving stable, capable production processes across CNC operations.

This is a shop-floor engineering role requiring deep CNC programming capability, process ownership, and proven experience delivering measurable manufacturing improvements in a production environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Improve CNC machining processes to increase OEE, throughput, and quality while reducing scrap
• Develop, modify, and validate CNC programs for CNC lathes and vertical/horizontal milling machines
• Lead CNC toolpath development and cutting strategy optimization for automotive components
• Select and optimize tooling, inserts, fixtures, and workholding solutions
• Troubleshoot machining issues, including tool wear, chatter, cycle time variation, and dimensional variation
• Conduct first-piece validation and support Cp/Cpk capability studies
• Apply SPC methods to ensure stable, repeatable, and controlled manufacturing processes
• Partner with Quality, Operations, and Maintenance teams to resolve production issues
• Drive Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma continuous improvement initiatives
• Maintain process documentation, work instructions, and engineering standards

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or equivalent hands-on manufacturing experience
• Minimum 5+ years of CNC programming and machining experience in automotive or high-volume precision manufacturing
• Strong experience with CNC lathes and milling machines (Fuji and Mori Seiki preferred)
• Proficiency in Mastercam (or equivalent CAM software) and AutoCAD
• Strong understanding of GD&T, blueprint reading, and tolerance stack-ups
• Hands-on experience with SPC, Cp/Cpk, and process capability studies
• Experience with CMM inspection and Zoller tool presetting systems
• Strong knowledge of carbide tooling, inserts, and workholding design
• Proven shop-floor troubleshooting and production support experience

Must-Have Experience

• High-volume automotive manufacturing (Tier 1 supplier, OEM, or equivalent precision environment)
• End-to-end CNC programming: development, validation, and production release
• Demonstrated improvements in OEE, scrap reduction, or throughput
• Strong SPC and Cp/Cpk implementation experience in production environments
• Direct shop-floor ownership of machining process stability and troubleshooting

Preferred Qualifications

• Tier 1 automotive or OEM manufacturing experience
• Multi-axis CNC machining experience
• Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma certification
• ERP/MES system experience
• Cross-functional leadership in process improvement projects

Technical Skills

• CAM: Mastercam (advanced), CNC toolpath development, machining strategy optimization
• CAD: AutoCAD (intermediate) for drawings and tooling documentation
• Metrology: CMM inspection, Zoller tool presetting systems
• Quality Systems: SPC, Cp/Cpk, GD&T, process capability control
• Tooling & Fixtures: Carbide tooling, inserts, hydraulic/pneumatic workholding design

CNC Manufacturing Engineer, CNC Programmer, Automotive Manufacturing, Mastercam, GD&T, Cp Cpk, OEE Improvement, Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, CNC Lathe, CNC Milling, Tier 1 Supplier, Process Engineer, Tooling Engineer, CMM Inspection, High Volume Production, Manufacturing Engineering