Aerospace Machine Shop Lead | CNC & Production Leader

Firefly Aerospace, Inc.; Texas; On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental and vision plans

Parental leave

Relocation benefits

Educational reimbursement

Short term disability

Flexible PTO

Job summary

Firefly Aerospace, Inc. in Texas is seeking a lead machinist to guide daily CNC operations in a fast-paced aerospace manufacturing environment.

You will mentor machinists, ensure adherence to GD&T and quality standards, and drive continuous improvement across multiple cells. Responsibilities include coordinating production, verifying tooling and setups, interpreting drawings, and supporting RCCA investigations to prevent recurrence.

Qualifications

• Minimum 8 years of experience in a CNC machine shop.
• Lead machinist, team lead, or manufacturing leadership preferred.
• Advanced understanding of CNC milling, turning, and multi-axis operations.
• Ability to read, interpret, and troubleshoot CNC programs and G-code.
• Advanced understanding of engineering drawings, GD&T, and inspection requirements.
• Working knowledge of Mazak, Okuma, DMG MORI CNC controllers.
• Strong understanding of machine setups, work holding, tooling selection, and machining best practices.
• Ability to identify manufacturing inefficiencies and implement practical process improvements.
• Strong problem-solving, communication, and leadership skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to safety, quality, productivity, and on-time delivery.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support daily machine shop operations in a fast-paced aerospace manufacturing environment.
• Coordinate daily production activities to ensure alignment with the established production schedule and manufacturing priorities.
• Provide direct floor-level leadership, technical guidance, and support to machinists across multiple manufacturing cells.
• Monitor production progress, machine utilization, and operational efficiency to ensure jobs remain on schedule.
• Identify and communicate production constraints, equipment issues, material shortages, and other obstacles affecting delivery.
• Ensure machinists follow approved manufacturing processes, work instructions, setup documentation, controlled programs.
• Verify operators are properly prepared before beginning machining operations, including tooling, fixtures, programs, and work order requirements.
• Assist with troubleshooting machining processes, setups, tooling issues, and equipment-related problems.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives with emphasis on setup reduction, cycle time optimization, quality, and productivity.
• Promote operator accountability for workmanship, equipment care, documentation accuracy, and adherence to established processes.
• Actively participate in RCCA investigations involving nonconformances, machining errors, and process failures.
• Maintain accurate completion of manufacturing work orders, operation tracking, and production documentation.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe working environment while ensuring compliance with all EHS requirements.

Skills

CNC machining

G-code proficiency

GD&T proficiency

Engineering drawings

Problem solving

Leadership

Communication

Safety awareness

Prioritization

Tools

Mazak

Okuma

DMG MORI

G-code

Job description

Firefly Aerospace, Inc. in Texas is seeking a lead machinist to guide daily CNC operations in a fast-paced aerospace manufacturing environment.

You will mentor machinists, ensure adherence to GD&T and quality standards, and drive continuous improvement across multiple cells. Responsibilities include coordinating production, verifying tooling and setups, interpreting drawings, and supporting RCCA investigations to prevent recurrence.