CNC Operations Manager

Leoforce; Santa Ana (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401(k) with match

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Job summary

Leoforce is seeking a CNC Operations Manager to lead our Santa Ana site, overseeing CNC and manual machining of precision aerospace components for space and defense programs under AS9100. You will hire and develop shop personnel, drive uptime and throughput, coordinate with engineering on NC programs, enforce documentation and quality standards, and report weekly metrics in a safe 6S environment.

This leadership role offers ownership of machine shop operations and direct reporting to the VP of

Qualifications

• 5–10+ years in a supervisor or manager role with CNC / aerospace machining and operations focus.
• Experience leading machine shop teams and managing daily workflows, schedules, and performance.
• Familiarity with AS9100, NC programming review, and quality documentation.

Responsibilities

• Lead CNC and manual machining operations at our Santa Ana site, producing aerospace components.
• Hire, train, and develop machine shop personnel; manage workflow, assignments, and reviews.
• Maintain machines, drive uptime, and remove bottlenecks, tooling shortages, and constraints.
• Collaborate with engineering to review NC programs and tooling plans; validate drawings.
• Enforce aviation documentation: travelers, inspection sheets, certs, traceability, gauges, FAIs.
• Track weekly cost, delivery, and performance metrics; maintain a 6S, safe shop floor.

Skills

CNC machining

Aerospace manufacturing

Lean / 6S

OEE / spindle utilization

Leadership / supervision

Tools

Epicor ERP

CMM / precision inspection

AS9100 experience

Job description

CNC Operations Manager

Santa Ana, CA, US

Job Description

Experience: Senior Level

Salary: $140,000 - $175,000 per year

Job Details

• Lead CNC and manual machining operations at our Santa Ana site, producing precision aerospace components for space and defense customers under AS9100.
• Hire, train, and develop machine shop personnel; manage daily workflow, assignments, schedules, performance reviews, and corrective actions
• Keep machines set up, maintained, and running safely, driving spindle utilization and uptime while clearing bottlenecks, tooling shortages, and equipment constraints
• Partner with engineering to review NC programs and tooling plans, validate drawings, and improve cost, quality, and cycle time
• Enforce aerospace documentation and quality requirements: travelers, inspection sheets, certs, material traceability, gauge calibration, and FAIs
• Track and report weekly cost, delivery, and performance metrics; maintain a visual factory and a safe, 6S shop floor

Looking for:

• 5-10+ years in a supervisor or manager role with CNC / aerospace machining and operations focus
• Experienced shop supervisors ready to step up through established machine shop and manufacturing managers considered

Experience in any of the following areas welcomed:

• Multi-axis / 5-axis CNC machining
• AS9100 and AS9102 first article inspection
• CMM and precision inspection equipment
• Epicor or similar ERP systems
• 6S, Lean, and visual factory practices
• NC program and tooling plan review
• Capacity planning, OEE, and spindle utilization

A bit about us:

we are an aerospace and defense manufacturer specializing in precision machining, composites, and complex assemblies, with a second operation in nearby Long Beach. Our flight hardware has supported DoD, space, and commercial platforms for decades, and much of it has stayed on our customers' programs since day one. We run a low-volume, high-mix build-to-print model under AS9100 and ITAR, making us one of the more capable independent suppliers in the region.

Why join us?

• Medical, dental, vision, matching 401(k)
• Generous PTO, sick leave, and paid holidays
• Full ownership of machine shop operations, reporting directly to the VP of Operations
• Steady work across development, production, and sustainment programs
• Backing of a nationwide manufacturing network, with room to grow into broader operations leadership