Composite Machine Shop Supervisor

Element Materials Technology; Duarte (CA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a hands-on Machine Shop Supervisor to lead daily operations while actively engaging in machining activities. This dynamic role emphasizes quality, safety, and efficiency, requiring a leader who can mentor a team and drive continuous improvement. With a focus on precision machining and adherence to industry standards, this opportunity allows you to make a tangible impact in a growing organization dedicated to ensuring safety and compliance across various sectors. Join a team that values your expertise and offers a collaborative environment for professional growth.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in machining or manufacturing environment.
• 2+ years in a supervisory or team lead role.
• Composite machining experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Supervise machinists and ensure adherence to safety guidelines.
• Coordinate training and onboarding of new technicians.
• Identify process inefficiencies and participate in improvements.

Skills

Microsoft Applications (Word, Excel, Outlook)

Machining operations

Blueprint reading

Quality standards

Leadership skills

Safety regulations

Continuous improvement methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma)

CNC programming

Education

High school diploma or GED

Technical certification or associate degree

Job description

Overview

Element has an opportunity for a Machine Shop Supervisor. The Working Machine Shop Supervisor is a hands-on leadership role responsible for overseeing daily operations of the machine shop while actively participating in machining activities such as cutting, grinding, and CNC programming. This role balances floor-level execution with supervisory duties, ensuring quality, safety, efficiency, and on-time delivery of machined parts. The Supervisor is expected to lead by example, train and mentor team members, and continuously improve shop performance.

Salary: $33- $43/hr DOE

Responsibilities

1. Ensure all Element safety guidelines are adhered to.
2. Supervise staff of machinists responsible for machining composite test specimens.
3. Effectively prioritize workload and use of available resources within time constraints.
4. Ensure that training files are properly documented.
5. Coordinate and perform PMI (Preventive Maintenance Inspection) of machine shop equipment as required.
6. Provide formal training and on-the-job training to staff. Support hiring, onboarding, and training of new technicians.
7. Coach and develop the machine shop team. Perform periodic and annual performance evaluations.
8. Identify process inefficiencies and participate in continuous improvement initiatives (e.g., reducing downtime, improving OTD, increasing throughput).
9. Perform manual machining, cutting, and surface grinding as needed to support production.
10. Work with adhesives to bond test specimens to adherends.
11. Set up, operate, and program CNC machines (mill and lathe) for precision machining jobs as needed.
12. Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills / Qualifications

• Proficiency in Microsoft Applications (Word, Excel, Outlook).
• High school diploma or GED required; technical certification or associate degree preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in a machining or manufacturing environment.
• At least 2 years in a supervisory or team lead role.
• Strong knowledge of machining operations, tooling, blueprint reading, and quality standards.
• Effective leadership and interpersonal skills; ability to lead by example.
• Familiarity with safety regulations, TPM practices, and continuous improvement methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma, etc.) is a plus.
• Ability to interface with clients, win new work, and determine their requirements; helps review quotations for new work.
• Ability to lift <50 lbs. and stand for long periods.
• Composite machining experience preferred.
• CNC programming experience preferred.

Company Overview

Element is one of the fastest growing testing, inspection, and certification businesses in the world. With over 9,000 employees across 270 sites in 30 countries, we share an ambitious purpose to ‘Make tomorrow safer than today’.

We help customers ensure their products, materials, processes, and services are safe, compliant, and fit for purpose, supporting them from R&D through regulatory approvals and into production. Our global laboratory network of scientists, engineers, and technologists provides assurance over product quality, sustainable outcomes, and market access.

Although global, working at Element feels like being part of a smaller company. We empower you to take charge of your career and reward excellence and integrity with growth and development.

Our work impacts industries worldwide, playing a vital role in creating a safer world.

Diversity Statement

At Element, we pride ourselves on putting our people first. We are an equal opportunity employer that values diversity and inclusion, fundamental to our vision of becoming “the world’s most trusted testing partner”.

All qualified candidates will receive consideration based on objective work-related criteria without regard to age, disability, ethnicity, gender, marital status, race, religion, responsibility of dependents, sexual orientation, gender identity, or other characteristics, in accordance with applicable laws.