Aerospace CNC Prototyping Engineer

Amazon; California, Northern (MO, KY); Hybrid; USD 123,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Amazon Leo is seeking a hands-on CNC Prototyping Engineer to own end-to-end machining of aerospace prototypes, including CAM programming, setup, and production of precision parts from concept to inspection-ready delivery. You will set machining standards and drive manufacturability feedback with design and manufacturing engineering.

You will mentor Machinists, manage multiple concurrent builds, and lead continuous improvement in the lab, balancing speed with quality in a fast-paced hardware

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, or Manufacturing Engineering or equivalent.
• 5+ years machine shop experience operating complex CNC equipment (multi-axis mills, mill-turn, EDM, or equivalent).
• Expert knowledge of HyperMILL, ESPRIT, or equivalent CAM systems.
• 2+ years overseeing continuous improvement initiatives by establishing processes and ownership.
• Must be able to frequently move lab equipment weighing up to 40 pounds; inspect fine details.
• Excellent manufacturing process knowledge including coatings, heat treating, finishing processes.
• Expert knowledge of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T).
• Experience using Siemens NX or other CAD systems.
• Experience machining aerospace, defense, or precision/high-reliability hardware.
• Experience mentoring machinists or prototyping engineers and setting shop standards.
• Strong verbal and written communication across engineering disciplines.

Responsibilities

• Own programming, setup, and machining of complex aerospace prototypes on multi-axis mills, lathes, and mill-turn equipment, delivering precision components to print and on schedule.
• Develop and implement advanced machining strategies using CAM software, optimizing tool paths, fixturing, and process sequencing for quality, speed, and repeatability.
• Partner with Mechanical, Manufacturing, and Design engineering teams to drive design-for-manufacturability feedback and translate complex designs into producible prototypes.
• Manage and prioritize multiple concurrent prototyping requests, coordinating machine time, tooling, and material to maintain program velocity.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across the machine shop—establishing processes, owning them to conclusion, and creating scalable mechanisms that increase throughput and reduce cycle time.
• Develop and maintain machining documentation, work instructions, and process specifications to enable consistent, repeatable execution.
• Perform inspection and validation of machined components, troubleshooting quality issues and driving corrective actions to root cause.
• Respond quickly to interruptions and urgent requests from test and engineering teams, balancing rapid turnaround against sustained build quality.

Skills

CNC programming

Multi-axis CNC

CAM software: HyperMILL

CAM software: ESPRIT

GD&T

Siemens NX

Mentoring machinists

DFM feedback

Strong communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or equivalent

5+ years machine shop experience operating complex CNC equipment (multi-axis mills, mill-turn, EDM, or equivalent)

Tools

HyperMILL

ESPRIT

Siemens NX

Job description

Amazon Leo is seeking a hands-on CNC Prototyping Engineer to own end-to-end machining of aerospace prototypes, including CAM programming, setup, and production of precision parts from concept to inspection-ready delivery. You will set machining standards and drive manufacturability feedback with design and manufacturing engineering.

You will mentor Machinists, manage multiple concurrent builds, and lead continuous improvement in the lab, balancing speed with quality in a fast-paced hardware