Director, Manufacturing Technology

About Us:
As a global manufacturer of complex aircraft engine components, Pursuit Aerospace is founded on a commitment to relentless, continuous, operational improvement and extraordinary customer service. We pride ourselves on competitive cost structure, exceptional on-time delivery, and industry-leading quality.

Pursuit Aerospace has cultivated long-term relationships with our customers around the world through respect, teamwork, technology, and trust. We are driven to develop industry leading process innovations and manufacturing techniques on behalf of our customers. Our exceptional quality is driven by a deep investment in and the daily practice of continually improving our people, processes, and products.

About the Opportunity:
As the Director, Engineering & Technology, you will serve as a senior technical leader responsible for advancing Pursuit Aerospace’s airfoil machining capabilities and developing next-generation manufacturing technologies. This role will lead the development, validation, and optimization of advanced machining processes across fan and compressor blades, sheaths, metal leading edges, blisks, and impellers, with a focus on improving first-time yield, reducing cycle time, rework, and scrap, and increasing automation. The Director will provide technical direction to engineering teams, establish scalable and repeatable manufacturing processes, evaluate emerging technologies and equipment, and partner with Operations, Quality, Engineering, and customers to strengthen Pursuit’s competitive position and support new product introduction.

Location:
Whitesboro, NY

Responsibilities:

• Lead the development, validation, and optimization of advanced airfoil machining processes, including multi-axis CNC milling, grinding, EDM/ECM, and advanced finishing technologies.
• Establish and maintain capable, repeatable, and cost-effective manufacturing processes, tooling strategies, and process plans.
• Lead complex technical investigations and root-cause analysis related to dimensional accuracy, surface integrity, process capability, and manufacturing defects.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on first-time yield, cycle time, throughput, rework, scrap, and manufacturing cost.
• Evaluate and implement emerging machining technologies, automation, equipment, tooling, and digital manufacturing solutions.
• Serve as the technical authority for airfoil machining, providing guidance to Operations, Engineering, Quality, suppliers, and customers.
• Provide technical leadership, coaching, and mentoring to engineers and technical personnel while establishing standardized engineering methods and machining best practices.
• Partner cross-functionally to support new product introduction, production launches, process improvements, and resolution of complex manufacturing issues.
• Lead engineering projects and priorities to deliver technical solutions aligned with Pursuit’s operational and business objectives.
• Support technical engagements across Pursuit locations, customers, and suppliers, including approximately 20–25% travel.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 12 years of manufacturing engineering experience, including advanced CNC machining or other complex manufacturing processes.
• Must be authorized to work in the U.S. on a full-time bases without sponsorship now or in the future. The Company cannot offer employment to visa holders who require employer sponsorship in the future or cannot work now on a full-time basis.
• Must be able to perform work subject to ITAR/EAR regulations.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated expertise in airfoil machining, grinding, multi-axis milling, or machining of titanium, stainless steel, nickel-based superalloys, or similar materials.
• Experience leading technical projects, engineering teams, or complex manufacturing initiatives.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing process development, validation, process capability, tooling, and continuous improvement.
• Ability to read and interpret complex aerospace drawings, GD&T, engineering specifications, and manufacturing requirements.
• Experience working in regulated aerospace or other highly controlled manufacturing environments.
• Experience with Siemens NX programming, Vericut, ThirdWave Production Module, or similar manufacturing software.
• Strong applied mathematics skills, including geometry and trigonometry, as applied to advanced machining processes.
• Experience with aerospace manufacturing processes, including coatings, heat treatment, machining, and other advanced manufacturing technologies.
• Familiarity with PFMEA, Control Plans, MSA, Lean, and Six Sigma methodologies; Green Belt certification preferred.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with experience working across Operations, Quality, Engineering, suppliers, and customers.

Working Conditions:

• Work is primarily performed in an office and manufacturing environment, with regular interaction on the production floor and exposure to manufacturing equipment, noise, heat, and other industrial conditions.
• Required to follow all site safety requirements and wear appropriate PPE when working in manufacturing areas.
• Regular walking, standing, and movement throughout manufacturing and office areas, with occasional bending, reaching, and climbing as required.
• Approximately 20–25% travel is required to support Pursuit locations, customers, suppliers, and other business needs.
• Ability to work occasional extended hours, weekends, or other non-standard schedules as business needs require.

Acknowledgements:
The above job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of duties and standards of the position. Incumbents will follow any other instructions, and perform any other related duties, as assigned by their supervisor.

Benefits:
Pursuit Aerospace also offers a variety of benefits, including health and disability insurance, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, EAP, paid time off, and company-paid holidays. The specific programs and options available to an employee may vary depending on date of hire, schedule type, and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements, among other things.

Equal Opportunity Employer:
Pursuit Aerospace is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We adhere to all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.