Senior Machining Process Engineer (Defense & NPI)

Granite State Manufacturing; Manchester; On-site; GBP 66,000 - 92,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental & Vision

401(k) & 401(k) company matching

Paid time off and holidays

Health savings account

Flexible spending accounts

Employee assistance program

Training and career growth in advanced

Overtime opportunities

Job summary

Granite State Manufacturing is a leading contract manufacturer providing large-scale CNC machining and welding for government and defense programs. The Machining Process Engineer develops, optimizes, and sustains manufacturing processes for complex components, ensuring quality, cost efficiency, and on-time delivery.

You will lead process improvements, fixtures, tooling strategies, and collaboration with Engineering, Quality, and Operations to meet program milestones while maintaining regulatory

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience developing manufacturing processes for machining.
• 3+ years in a defense/aerospace-related job shop environment.
• Subject matter expert in GD&T.
• Experience interpreting detailed engineering drawings.
• BS in Mechanical, Quality, Industrial or Manufacturing Engineering or 5+ years of equivalent on-the-job training and experience.
• Proficiency in MS Office Products.
• Proficiency in SolidWorks.
• Proficiency in Mastercam.
• Excellent human interaction skills.
• Ability to obtain security clearance a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and continuously improve robust machining processes for complex CNC milling, turning, boring, and multi-axis machining operations.
• Establish, document, and maintain standardized work instructions, machining methods, setup procedures, and best practices to ensure repeatable, efficient manufacturing.
• Lead process optimization initiatives focused on improving safety, quality, throughput, machine utilization, and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).
• Design, develop, validate, and implement machining fixtures, workholding solutions, tooling strategies, and process improvements for large fabricated and machined components.
• Analyze machining performance, cycle times, spindle utilization, tooling consumption, and process capability to identify and implement cost-saving opportunities.
• Drive first-pass yield improvement through process capability studies, error-proofing, and manufacturing process controls.
• Investigate machining-related nonconformances using structured Root Cause Analysis methodologies and lead implementation of effective corrective and preventive actions.
• Collaborate with CNC programmers to optimize toolpaths, machining strategies, cutting parameters, and machine performance while reducing cycle time and improving process stability.
• Provide technical leadership and troubleshooting support for machinists, CNC programmers, supervisors, and production personnel to resolve complex manufacturing issues.
• Support quoting and estimating activities by validating machining methods, cycle times, tooling requirements, and manufacturing risks.
• Conduct time studies, capacity analyses, and process validation to improve production planning accuracy and manufacturing efficiency.
• Evaluate machine capabilities, process constraints, and manufacturing readiness to support production scheduling and customer commitments.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives utilizing Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and other operational excellence methodologies.
• Define and monitor key manufacturing performance metrics including first-pass yield, scrap, rework, cycle time, setup reduction, machine utilization, and process capability.
• Serve as the machining technical authority for evaluating and implementing new machining technologies, cutting tools, workholding systems, automation, and capital equipment.
• Partner with Manufacturing Engineering, Welding Engineering, Quality, Operations, and Supply Chain to ensure manufacturability and successful execution of new and existing programs.
• Support New Product Introduction (NPI) activities by developing manufacturing processes, validating machining methods, identifying production risks, and achieving program milestones.
• Participate in Design for Manufacturability (DFM) reviews to improve producibility, reduce manufacturing cost, and minimize production risk.
• Ensure machining processes comply with customer specifications, engineering requirements, AS9100 quality standards, and applicable government and defense contract requirements.
• Develop and maintain process documentation including work instructions, process flow documentation, PFMEAs, control plans, tooling documentation, and process validation records.
• Mentor machinists and manufacturing personnel on machining best practices, process improvements, and new manufacturing technologies.
• Serve as the primary liaison between Engineering, Programming, Quality, and Operations to ensure alignment on technical requirements and manufacturing execution.
• Support legacy and new product introduction (NPI) projects working with a team of Program Managers, Project Engineers, Manufacturing Engineers and Weld Engineers to meet shipment goals.
• Demonstrates responsibility and accountability for creating a professional, safe, and clean environment evidenced by being at work on time to perform assigned duties, following the policies of Granite State Manufacturing, always wearing safety glasses in designated areas, maintaining a neat and orderly work area, and following safety practices to prevent errors.
• Demonstrates commitment to teamwork by establishing effective relationships and networks with both managers/directors and staff, collaborating with them to accomplish shared purposes and goals.
• Abides by GSM Code of Ethics and Business Conduct standards and strictly observes all U.S. and foreign laws and regulations.

Skills

GD&T

Engineering problem solving

Team collaboration

Excel / MS Office

Education

BS in Mechanical, Quality, Industrial or Manufacturing Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

Mastercam

Job description

Granite State Manufacturing is a leading contract manufacturer providing large-scale CNC machining and welding for government and defense programs. The Machining Process Engineer develops, optimizes, and sustains manufacturing processes for complex components, ensuring quality, cost efficiency, and on-time delivery.

You will lead process improvements, fixtures, tooling strategies, and collaboration with Engineering, Quality, and Operations to meet program milestones while maintaining regulatory