Lead Machinist, Aerospace Production & Process Improvement

Firefly Aerospace, Inc.; Texas; On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental & vision

Parental leave

Relocation benefits

Educational reimbursement

Short-term disability

Flexible PTO

Job summary

Firefly Aerospace, Inc. is seeking an experienced Lead Machinist to drive daily CNC operations in our Texas-based aerospace machine shop.

You will mentor machinists, troubleshoot machining processes, and ensure adherence to GD&T and quality standards while delivering on-time production goals. Ideal candidates have 8+ years in CNC environments, leadership experience, and proficiency with Mazak/Okuma/Fanuc controls.

Qualifications

• Minimum 8 years in CNC machine shop.
• Experience in lead machinist or supervision preferred.
• Strong understanding of GD&T and precision inspection.
• Ability to read CNC programs and G-code.

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. Assist in identifying root causes, developing corrective actions, and verifying their effectiveness to prevent recurrence.
• Ensure accurate completion of manufacturing work orders, operation tracking, and production documentation.
• Maintain effective communication between shifts through detailed production pass-downs, including completed operations, work order status, and outstanding issues.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe working environment while ensuring compliance with all EHS requirements.
• Communicate daily production performance, operational concerns, and improvement opportunities to machine shop management.

Skills

CNC machining

G-code

GD&T

leadership

problem solving

Tools

Mazak

Okuma

Fanuc

Job description

Firefly Aerospace, Inc. is seeking an experienced Lead Machinist to drive daily CNC operations in our Texas-based aerospace machine shop.

You will mentor machinists, troubleshoot machining processes, and ensure adherence to GD&T and quality standards while delivering on-time production goals. Ideal candidates have 8+ years in CNC environments, leadership experience, and proficiency with Mazak/Okuma/Fanuc controls.