Lead Applications Engineer - Aerospace Center of Excellence

Dn Solutions; Schaumburg (IL); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) plan

Health, Vision & Dental Insurance

Life Insurance & Short-Term Disability

Paid Time Off including vacation, sick

Employee Referral Program

Job summary

Paycom - ATS seeks an experienced aerospace CNC applications engineer to lead high-complexity projects from feasibility to production startup. You will develop 3-, 4-, and 5-axis milling strategies for titanium, Inconel, and stainless steels, and mentor other engineers.

You will interpret aerospace drawings and GD&T, select tooling and fixtures, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to validate processes and deliver validated results at schedule milestones.

Qualifications

• At least 10 years of experience in CNC machining, manufacturing engineering, or applications engineering.
• Experience leading technical projects and coaching other engineers.
• Ability to interpret aerospace drawings, CAD models, GD&T, and customer quality requirements.
• Experience with aerospace and defense customer requirements.

Responsibilities

• Set technical priorities for aerospace applications and guide engineers through process planning, programming, validation, and customer handoff.
• Lead customer projects from feasibility through machine selection and production startup.
• Develop multi-axis milling strategies for complex aerospace components and difficult materials.
• Program and prove out applications on suitable DN Solutions and HELLER machines.
• Collaborate with HQ Applications Engineering, R&D, product management, sales, service, and customers.
• Coordinate project schedules, risks, deliverables, and customer communications.
• Support customer implementation through production optimization and technical events.

Skills

Aerospace machining

Project leadership

Customer interaction

Mentoring

GD&T interpretation

CAM programming

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical/manufacturing/aerospace/industrial engineering

Tools

DN Solutions machines

HELLER machines

Siemens NX

hyperMILL

Mastercam

VERICUT

CAD/CAM software

Job description

* Set technical priorities for aerospace applications and guide engineers through process planning, programming, prove-out, validation, and customer handoff.* Lead customer projects from part review and feasibility through machine selection, process design, programming, test cutting, validation, acceptance, and production startup.* Develop multi-axis milling strategies for complex aerospace and defense components, including difficult materials, tight tolerances, and demanding surface requirements.* Select and validate cutting tools, fixtures, probing, inspection methods, and automation concepts to achieve quality, cycle-time, and production requirements.* Program, set up, and prove out applications on DN Solutions and HELLER machines as appropriate to the project.* Establish repeatable methods for documenting cycle times, setups, tooling, quality results, lessons learned, and other key application data.* Mentor aerospace applications engineers and review technical work to ensure consistent quality, technical execution, and on-time delivery.* Collaborate with HQ Applications Engineering, R&D, HELLER, product management, sales, service, and customers on machine capabilities, technical requirements, new technologies, and demonstrations.* Coordinate project schedules, technical risks, deliverables, customer communications, and technical presentations, including pre-sale evaluations, cycle-time studies, proposals, demonstrations, and customer visits.* Support customer implementation through production optimization, personnel training, and technical events, including open houses and trade shows, while representing the COE and presenting validated process recommendations and results.* At least 10 years of experience in CNC machining, manufacturing engineering, or applications engineering, including substantial aerospace machining experience.* Demonstrated ability to develop, program, set up, and validate complex 3-, 4-, and 5-axis machining processes.* Experience machining difficult materials such as titanium, Inconel, and stainless steels, with strong knowledge of tooling and workholding.* Ability to interpret aerospace drawings, CAD models, GD&T, and customer quality requirements.* Proficiency with CAD/CAM software, G-code troubleshooting, machining simulation, and cycle-time analysis.* Experience leading technical projects and coaching other engineers; strong communication with customers and cross-functional teams.* Bachelor's degree in mechanical, manufacturing, aerospace, or industrial engineering, or equivalent relevant experience.* Experience with DN Solutions or HELLER machining centers and their control platforms.* Experience with Siemens NX, hyperMILL, Mastercam, VERICUT, or comparable CAM and verification tools.* Experience with aerospace and defense customer requirements, AS9100 quality systems, and applicable export-control and security requirements.* Experience integrating automation, in-process measurement, and production data into machining processes.* 401(k)* Health, Vision, and Dental Insurance* Life Insurance and Short-Term Disability* Paid Time-Off including vacation, sick time, and Holidays.* Employee Referral Program