Lead Manufacturing Process Engineer

Turn Up Talent; Town of Oconomowoc (WI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Turn Up Talent LLC seeks an experienced Lead Post Sales Engineer to provide technical leadership and oversee manufacturing engineering in a precision environment supporting Aerospace & Defense work. The role transitions awarded programs into production-ready processes and guides a team of Manufacturing Engineers across cross-functional groups.

You will drive process development, validate CNC methods, optimize throughput, and support capital investments while balancing technical priorities

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing or Mechanical Engineering or related discipline; equivalent experience considered.
• Experience supporting Aerospace & Defense manufacturing operations, including new program introduction and production readiness.
• Demonstrated ability to lead engineering teams and drive technical execution with accountability.
• Strong hands-on CNC manufacturing expertise and process optimization skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop Manufacturing Engineers with clear priorities and accountability.
• Oversee manufacturing engineering activities for new programs and production ramp-up.
• Develop CNC processes, routings, tooling, workholding, and inspection checkpoints.
• Drive continuous improvement, analyze performance, and support capital investments.

Skills

Leadership

CNC manufacturing

Process optimization

Problem solving

Cross-functional collaboration

Project management

Continuous improvement

Education

Bachelor's in Manufacturing Engineering

Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

CAD/CAM software

CNC programming concepts

Manufacturing process documentation

Production data analysis

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Lead Post Sales Engineer to provide technical leadership and oversee manufacturing engineering activities within a precision manufacturing environment, supporting a lot of Aerospace & Defense work.

This position is responsible for transitioning awarded programs into production-ready manufacturing processes, ensuring successful program launches, process stability, and ongoing manufacturing performance. The Lead Post Sales Engineer will guide and develop Manufacturing Engineers while collaborating cross-functionally with Operations, Quality, CNC Programming, Toolmaking, Program Management, and Pre-Sales Engineering.

Key Responsibilities

Engineering Leadership & Program Execution

• Lead, mentor, and develop Manufacturing Engineers, establishing clear priorities, performance expectations, and accountability.
• Oversee manufacturing engineering activities for new programs, including technical handoffs, process development, production readiness reviews, first-piece builds, and production ramp-up.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure successful program launches and efficient manufacturing operations.

Manufacturing Process Development & Optimization

• Develop, implement, and validate CNC manufacturing processes, including routings, machining methods, tooling, workholding, setups, inspection checkpoints, and controlled documentation.
• Partner with CNC Programming and Operations to validate programs, improve process stability, and establish repeatable setup and cycle-time expectations.
• Identify tooling, fixture, gauge, equipment, and capital requirements, supporting implementation and evaluating effectiveness.
• Lead manufacturability improvements, engineering changes, and structured problem-solving initiatives to address production and quality challenges.

Continuous Improvement & Operational Performance

• Drive improvements in manufacturing quality, throughput, setup times, cycle times, tool life, material utilization, and overall production costs.
• Analyze manufacturing performance to identify opportunities for increased efficiency, consistency, and cost reduction.
• Evaluate actual production performance against quoted assumptions, utilizing manufacturing data and lessons learned to improve future programs.
• Support capital investment decisions and process improvements through technical and financial analysis.

Qualifications & Requirements

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline; equivalent experience in precision manufacturing will also be considered.
• Experience supporting Aerospace & Defense manufacturing operations, including new program introduction, production readiness, and controlled documentation.
• Demonstrated experience developing manufacturing processes, troubleshooting complex production challenges, and improving manufacturing performance.
• Proven ability to lead engineering teams, manage competing priorities, and drive technical execution and accountability.

Technical Skills & Knowledge

• Strong hands-on CNC manufacturing expertise, including machining methods, materials, GD&T, process planning, tooling, workholding, and inspection.
• Working knowledge of CAD/CAM software, CNC programming concepts, manufacturing process documentation, and production data analysis.
• Experience evaluating manufacturing costs, cycle times, capital requirements, and quoted versus actual production performance.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing process optimization, continuous improvement, and quality standards within precision manufacturing environments.

Additional Qualifications

• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Ability to balance technical priorities with operational and financial objectives.
• Ability and willingness to travel as needed.