Machining Applications Lead - Tooling & Process Innovation

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Machining Applications and Technology Lead

St. Charles, MO, US
30+ days ago Requisition ID: 7198
Patriot Machine is looking for a Machining Applications and Technology Lead to support cutter planning, machining process development, testing, and implementation of new manufacturing technology.
This role bridges NC Programming, Manufacturing Engineering, tooling, machining technology, and process development to reduce upfront engineering time, improve standardization, and increase first-run success.
This is a working lead position. The person in this role will provide technical direction to machining applications support staff while also developing cutter plans, supporting process decisions, leading trials, reviewing data, and helping implement new tooling and technology.
The right candidate should have strong knowledge of cutting tools, machining methods, cutter geometry, cutting conditions, process testing, and practical manufacturing application. This is not a full-time CNC programming role, but the candidate must understand CNC machining well enough to support programmers, manufacturing engineering, machinists, vendors, and leadership.
What You'll Do:
Develop and support cutter plans for all new jobs routed through NC Programming
Assist Manufacturing Engineering and NC Programming during initial job planning to help define tooling approach, machining strategy, and process direction
Provide technical direction to machining applications support staff and help coordinate their work
Support NC programmers with cutter selection, holder selection, reach review, cutting parameters, and machining process decisions
Review tooling approaches for 3-axis, 4-axis, and 5-axis milling, including high-speed machining, thin-wall parts, large complex aerospace parts, and advanced holemaking
Use Siemens NX to review tool reach, clearance, and general usability of selected tools
Analyze machine data, production results, tooling trial results, and process performance to support recommendations
Lead tooling, process, and technology testing projects, including test plans, trial support, results tracking, and final recommendations
Evaluate, recommend, and help implement cutting tools, advanced machining techniques, software, equipment, or technology that improves manufacturing capability
Build technical justification and purchase proposals for new tooling, software, equipment, or technology
Work with cutting tool vendors and internal teams to review new tooling options, support trials, compare results, and build internal recommendations
Create cutter plans, process notes, lessons learned, training material, test summaries, and standard work documents
Present tooling, process, testing, and technology recommendations to programmers, Manufacturing Engineering, shop leadership, and other internal teams
Role Focus:
This is an internal machining applications and technology role focused on cutter planning, process development, testing, and implementation of machining improvements that support NC Programming, Manufacturing Engineering, and the broader organization.
This role is not intended to be tool crib management, purchasing, vendor sales, quality, manufacturing engineering, or full-time CNC programming. The person in this role will work closely with those groups, but the main responsibility is improving how tooling decisions, machining strategies, testing, and process changes are developed, documented, and implemented across the organization.
This is a planning, process development, and implementation role with shop-floor involvement as needed to support trials, testing, troubleshooting, and feedback.
Technical and Process Knowledge:
Candidates should have strong knowledge in several of the following areas:
Cutting tool selection, cutter geometry, and tooling application
Speeds, feeds, cutting conditions, and machining strategy
Tool holders, reach, stickout, rigidity, and clearance
Holemaking applications, including drilling, reaming, countersinking, thread milling, and related aerospace machining requirements
3-axis, 4-axis, and 5-axis milling concepts
High-speed machining, thin-wall machining, and large complex machined components
Aluminum and high-temp aerospace alloy machining concepts
CNC machining process planning
Reading and understanding drawings, models, and manufacturing requirements
Machine data analysis, production result review, and tooling trial comparison
Process testing, test planning, and documenting results
Working with programmers, Manufacturing Engineering, machinists, vendors, and leadership to define practical process direction
Documenting standards, recommendations, lessons learned, and training material
Software, Data, and Technology:
Experience with the following is preferred:
CAD/CAM systems and tool data
Microsoft Excel or similar tools for comparing data and documenting recommendations
Manufacturing technology evaluation and implementation
Process modeling, cutting force analysis, vibration, chatter, machine kinematics, or simulation tools
Hands-on Siemens NX programming experience is not required. The candidate should be willing and able to use NX to review tool reach, clearance, and usability. General NX CAM knowledge is helpful, but not required.
Experience with process modeling, simulation, cutting force analysis, vibration, or chatter is preferred, but candidates with the right machining background and willingness to learn will also be considered.
Vendor, Trial, and Technology Support:
This position will work with cutting tool vendors, software providers, equipment suppliers, and internal teams to evaluate new options. The candidate should be able to:
Communicate technical needs clearly to vendors and internal teams
Review vendor recommendations with a practical manufacturing mindset
Plan and support tooling, process, software, or technology trials
Track trial results and compare performance
Build internal recommendations based on data, testing, cost, risk, and team feedback
Explain why a cutter, holder, parameter, process, or technology direction should be used
Help turn successful trials into standard work, training, or repeatable process guidance
Qualifications:
Experience in cutting tool applications, CNC machining process planning, manufacturing engineering, machining technology, or a similar technical role.
Experience similar to a cutting tool applications engineer is strongly preferred.
Experience leading technical projects, trials, process improvement efforts, or a small technical team is preferred.
Degree in engineering, manufacturing technology, or a related field is preferred, but not required.
Equivalent hands-on experience will be considered.
Mid-level to senior candidates are preferred.
Applicant must be a U.S. Person.
Must be able to work with controlled technical data in an aerospace manufacturing environment.
The Person We're Looking For:
The right candidate will be:
A strong communicator who can work with programmers, machinists, engineers, vendors, and leadership
Practical, hands-on, and able to apply tooling knowledge to real manufacturing problems
Data-driven when comparing tooling options, cutting parameters, trial results, and process performance
Comfortable challenging existing methods in a professional way
Able to explain decisions around cutter selection, holder selection, cutting parameters, machining strategy, and technology direction
Comfortable building buy-in across multiple groups
Organized enough to turn test results and lessons learned into usable standards
Curious about new tooling, machining methods, software, equipment, and manufacturing technology
Focused on reducing upfront planning time, improving standardization, and increasing first-run success
Company Profile:
Patriot Machine, Inc. is a technologically advanced aerospace manufacturer headquartered in St. Charles, Missouri. We supply complex structural parts and assemblies made from aluminum, titanium, and steel to major aircraft manufacturers. Our culture of innovation and continuous improvement attracts skilled people who are looking for a challenge. We offer opportunities to learn, grow, and help shape the future of aerospace manufacturing by applying practical approaches to problem-solving.
Patriot Machine is a woman-owned business with more than 190 employees and 277,000 square feet of manufacturing and office space. Employees have the opportunity to work alongside industry experts in a modern manufacturing environment.
Patriot Machine offers an excellent benefits package including health, dental, vision, life/disability, 401(k) with employer contributions, paid vacation, and holidays.

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