Manufacturing Engineer - Machining Operations

The Manufacturing Engineer – Machining Operations serves as the technical link between additive manufacturing, CNC machining, design engineering, and production operations to ensure parts are manufactured efficiently, consistently, and to the highest quality standards. The position combines hands-on machining and CNC programming with post-processing, fixture and tooling design, manufacturing strategy, capital equipment planning, and continuous improvement.

CNC Machining & Post-Processing
•    Program, set up, and operate CNC machining centers used for secondary operations on metal LPBF components and near net shape components
•    Develop machining strategies to account for complex additively manufactured geometries, residual stress distortion, and limited datum access.
•    Design custom fixtures and workholding solutions for low- and medium-volume production.
•    Optimize tooling, cutting parameters, and machining sequences to improve quality and reduce cycle time.
•    Troubleshoot machining and dimensional issues associated with additive manufacturing.
•    Set up, operate, troubleshoot and improve various post-processing machinery including, bandsaws, EDM equipment, grinders, tumblers and cleaning equipment as required.
•    Perform Design for Manufacturability (DFM) reviews with engineering teams.
•    Manage machining coolant systems, chip recycling, and manufacturing waste streams.
Equipment Development & Manufacturing Scale-Up
•    Specify, evaluate, and source CNC equipment, tooling, metrology systems, and manufacturing support equipment.
•    Lead installation, commissioning, and validation of new manufacturing equipment.
•    Research emerging machining technologies to improve competitiveness.
•    Develop manufacturing capacity plans to support future production growth.
•    Recommend automation opportunities and equipment investments to improve throughput.
Quality & Continuous Improvement
•    Investigate manufacturing issues using structured root cause analysis.
•    Implement corrective and preventive actions to improve product quality.
•    Support process validation, statistical process control (SPC), PFMEA, and control plans.
•    Drive Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives across manufacturing operations.
•    Drive process improvements to reduce post-processing time, and improve overall manufacturing efficiency.
Required Qualifications
•    Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or equivalent combination of technical education and substantial hands-on experience.
•    5+ years of manufacturing engineering experience in precision machining, additive manufacturing, or advanced manufacturing.
•    Strong CNC programming and CAM experience; ability to prove out programs safely and troubleshoot machining issues.
•    Proficiency with relevant software such as Hypermill and SolidWorks
•    Strong understanding of machining processes, GD&T, fixture design, and process optimization.
•    Excellent problem-solving and project management skills.
•    Ability and willingness to work hands-on with equipment, technicians, and parts in a development manufacturing environment.

Preferred Qualifications
•    Experience with metal LPBF systems and post-processing workflows.
•    Experience with five-axis machining, probing, toolpath simulation, wire EDM programming, and complex workholding.
•    Experience supporting new product introduction and production scale-up.
•    Familiarity with heat treatment, HIP, support removal, surface finishing, and additive inspection methods.
•    Familiarity with AS9100/ISO 9001, FAI, PFMEA, control plans, SPC, and MSA.
•    Lean Manufacturing and/or Six Sigma certification.
•    Experience with automation or robotic manufacturing systems.