Machine Shop Manager

Description:

Job Summary: The Machine Shop Manager is a hands-on technical leader responsible for machining operations, people leadership, and shop performance. This role combines deep machining expertise with full ownership of safety, quality, delivery, and continuous improvement for the machine shop. The Manager plans work, develops talent, partners with Engineering and Production, and ensures a reliable flow of precision parts to support R&D and manufacturing.

Responsibilities:

Machining & Technical Leadership

- Interpret complex blueprints, sketches, and CAD drawings to produce precision parts.

- Program CNC machines to ensure accurate, efficient, and repeatable production.

- Operate and support 3-axis and 5-axis CNC mills and lathers, including live tooling.

- Operate manual mills and lathes as needed to support production and prototyping.

- Design, select, and maintain tooling and fixtures to optimize machining performance.

- Partner with R&D and Engineering on new product development, prototypes, and process improvements.

- Support machine setup, troubleshooting, and root cause analysis for machining issues.

- Perform inspections and verify parts meet print, tolerance, and quality requirements.

- Ensure preventative maintenance and minor repairs are completed to keep equipment running.

People & Shop Management

- Lead, coach, and develop machinists and shop personnel; set clear expectations and hold accountability.

- Assign work, balance workloads, and sequence jobs to meet production priorities and deadlines.

- Train machinists on machines, programming standards, safety practices, and quality expectations.

- Conduct performance feedback, skill development, and input into hiring, promotions, and disciplinary actions.

- Foster a safety-first culture and ensure compliance with shop safety standards at all times.

Operations, Planning & Continuous Improvement

- Own day-to-day machine shop operations: safety, quality, delivery, and efficiency.

- Coordinate with Production, Engineering, and Supply Chain to ensure uninterrupted material flow.

- Track and improve key shop metrics (throughput, scrap, rework, downtime).

- Identify and implement process improvements to reduce cycle time, cost, and variability.

- Maintain shop organization, tooling control, and 5S standards.

- Support capacity planning and input into capital equipment needs.

Requirements:

Education & Experience:

- High school diploma or equivalent.

- Technical certification or associates degree in machining or a related field preferred.

- 10+ years of experience as a machinist, with 3 years at a senior/Level III role or equivalent.

- Prior experience leading people, projects, or shop operations strongly preferred.

- Experience with programming 3-axis and 5-axis mills and lathes with live tooling.

- DMG More NLX series experience strongly preferred.

- Manual machining experience (mills and lathes).

Skills & Abilities:

- Advanced blueprint reading and GD&T interpretation.

- Strong CNC programming capability.

- Tooling and fixture design expertise.

- Proven troubleshooting and root-cause problem solving.

- High standards for quality, safety, and repeatability.

- Comfortable leading people, making decisions, and owning outcomes.

- Able to shift between hands-on work and leadership without losing credibility.

Work Environment:

- Works primarily in a manufacturing and machine shop environment.

- Regularly stands and moves throughout the shop for extended periods.

- Frequently uses hands and fingers for precision tasks, controls, tools, and equipment.

- May be required to lift, carry, push, or pull materials or tolls weighing up to 50 pounds.

- May perform repetitive motions associated with machining and equipment operation.

- Exposure to typical manufacturing conditions, including noise, vibration, oils, and moving mechanical parts.

- Requires ability to read, interpret, and apply technical documentation and visual information.

- Requires the ability to communicate effectively with team members and leadership in a production environment.