Director of Engineering and CI

ACRA Aerospace; Anaheim (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

ACRA Aerospace is seeking a hands-on engineering leader to drive manufacturing excellence, lead New Product Introductions (NPI), and build a high-performing engineering organization. This Director of Engineering & CI will own CNC manufacturing operations, mentor engineers, and align processes with cost, quality, and on-time delivery targets.

The role focuses on Lean manufacturing, throughput improvements, and compliance in an AS9100 environment, reporting to the General Manager and shaping

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, or Aerospace Engineering.
• 8–12+ years of aerospace manufacturing experience.
• 5+ years leading Manufacturing Engineers and/or CNC Programming teams.
• Proven experience in New Product Introductions (NPI).
• Strong knowledge of AS9100 quality systems and Lean Six Sigma.

Responsibilities

• Own and lead all New Product Introduction (NPI) activities from engineering release through full-rate production.
• Define manufacturing strategy, routing, tooling, and inspection plans for new programs.
• Coordinate cross-functionally with Quality, Operations, Supply Chain, and Sales during program launches.
• Ensure first-article success, manufacturability, and cost targets.
• Drive rapid and repeatable production readiness.

Skills

Leadership

NPI

CNC machining

Mastercam

GD&T

Lean Six Sigma

ERP systems

Agile methods

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Manufacturing/Aerospace Engineering

Tools

Mastercam

Job description

This role is a hands-on engineering leadership position responsible for driving manufacturing excellence, leading New Product Introductions, and building a high-performing engineering organization. The Director of Engineering & CI plays a critical role in ensuring operational excellence, customer satisfaction, and long-term scalability of the business.

Position Summary:

The Director of Engineering & CI is responsible for leading all engineering, manufacturing process development, and technical execution functions across the organization. This role owns New Product Introduction (NPI), manufacturing process optimization, and engineering team leadership, while ensuring scalable, repeatable, and high-quality manufacturing operations.

This role serves as the technical authority for CNC manufacturing operations and provides leadership over Manufacturing Engineers, CNC Programmers, and cross-functional technical resources. The position ensures that manufacturing methods, tooling, and processes support business growth, cost targets, quality objectives, and on-time delivery.

The role plays a critical leadership function in advancing Lean Manufacturing, improving throughput, reducing variation, and supporting customer and regulatory requirements in an AS9100 aerospace environment. Reporting to the General Manager, the Director Engineering Director and CI will foster a culture of innovation and collaboration across multi-disciplinary teams, ensuring delivery of high-quality results in line with schedule and financial performance targets

Core Responsibilities

• Own and lead all New Product Introduction (NPI) activities from engineering release through full-rate production
• Define manufacturing strategy, routing, tooling, and inspection plans for new programs
• Coordinate cross-functionally with Quality, Operations, Supply Chain, and Sales during program launch
• Ensure first-article success, manufacturability, and cost targets are achieved
• Drive rapid and repeatable production readiness

Manufacturing Engineering & Process Excellence:

• Lead development, implementation, and continuous improvement of:
• Manufacturing processes
• CNC machining strategies
• Work instructions and routings
• Tooling and fixturing
• Inspection and quality controls
• Establish standardized, repeatable manufacturing methods across product lines
• Improve throughput, reduce scrap, and improve yield using Lean and Six Sigma principles
• Drive process optimization using PFMEA, control plans, and root cause analysis
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on cost, quality, and delivery

CNC Programming & Technical Leadership:

• Provide leadership and technical oversight to CNC Programmers and Manufacturing Engineers
• Ensure best practices in:
• 3-, 4-, and 5-axis machining
• Multi-spindle and multi-turret turning
• Toolpath optimization
• Program validation and prove-out
• Oversee Mastercam programming standards and documentation
• Ensure tooling libraries, setup sheets, and CNC documentation are accurate and maintained
• Lead, mentor, and develop Manufacturing Engineers and CNC Programmers
• Establish training plans, skill development paths, and succession planning
• Conduct performance reviews and KPI-based evaluations
• Foster a culture of accountability, ownership, and continuous improvement
• Serve as a technical mentor and escalation point for complex manufacturing challenges

Manufacturing Strategy & Capacity Planning:

• Define manufacturing strategies to support growth, margin improvement, and scalability
• Optimize labor utilization, machine capacity, and workflow layouts
• Support capital equipment planning and justification
• Collaborate with Operations to balance capacity, scheduling, and throughput
• Support make/buy decisions and vendor technical evaluations

Quality & Compliance Integration:

• Ensure compliance with AS9100 and customer-specific requirements
• Support audits, corrective actions, and continuous improvement initiatives
• Partner with Quality to reduce NCRs, rework, and escapes
• Promote a data-driven, root-cause-focused culture

Cross-Functional & Business Support:

• Support quoting and RFQ efforts with accurate cost and process estimates
• Collaborate with Sales, Supply Chain, Quality, and Operations leadership
• Drive technical execution of strategic initiatives
• Represent Engineering in leadership meetings and program reviews

Qualifications

• Proven experience in leading engineering teams within fast-paced environments; strong management skills with the ability to motivate diverse groups.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, or Aerospace Engineering
• 8-12+ years of experience in aerospace or precision CNC manufacturing
• 5+ years leading Manufacturing Engineers and/or CNC Programming teams
• Strong experience with:
• CNC machining (3-, 4-, 5-axis)
• Mastercam or equivalent CAM software
• GD&T and blueprint interpretation
• Lean Manufacturing / Continuous Improvement
• ERP systems and manufacturing routings
• Demonstrated experience leading New Product Introductions (NPI)
• Strong knowledge of AS9100 quality systems
• Experience implementing Agile methodologies
• Excellent communication skills to articulate complex technical concepts clearly
• Ability to develop strategic plans for business continuity strategies aligned with organizational goals.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with:
• High-mix, low-volume aerospace manufacturing
• PFMEA, SPC, and RCCA methodologies
• PMP or Lean Six Sigma certification (preferred)
• Strong background in tooling design and fixture development
• Experience managing engineering teams in regulated environments
• Leadership & team development
• Technical problem-solving
• Manufacturing process optimization
• Cross-functional communication
• Strong organizational and project management skills

Join us as at ACRA Aerospace where your expertise will shape innovative solutions that propel our organization forward! We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment that values leadership excellence and technical mastery - empowering you to make a lasting impact through your vision and dedication.