Machine Shop Manager – Aerospace Machining & CNC Programming

Rocket City HR; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid time off (PTO)

Education support

Job summary

Confidential Client in Huntsville, AL, seeks a Machine Shop Manager to lead precision machining programs supporting DoD and aerospace initiatives. You will direct CNC operations, manage schedules, and drive continuous improvement while ensuring safety, quality, and on-time delivery.

You will collaborate with engineering, quality, and program teams, contribute to proposals and cost estimates, and mentor a skilled team of machinists and programmers.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of aerospace/defense or precision manufacturing experience.
• 10+ years in manufacturing operations or production leadership.
• 5+ years in program or project management with cost/schedule/performance responsibility.
• Hands-on CNC machining knowledge, tooling, processes, and shop management.
• Proficient in Mastercam, G-code programming, CAD/CAM, and production planning.
• Experience estimating and preparing quotations from drawings/specs.
• Strong understanding of AS9100, ISO 9001, ITAR, DFARS compliance.
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems in manufacturing.
• Excellent leadership, communication, organization, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to interpret complex drawings for manufacturing solutions.

Responsibilities

• Oversee overall machine shop performance, ensuring safety, efficiency and quality.
• Manage daily production, CNC machining, programming, scheduling, and tooling usage.
• Lead machinists, programmers, and technical staff; foster accountability and teamwork.
• Collaborate with engineering, quality, and program management to meet requirements.
• Support proposals, cost estimating, and responses to quotes.
• Maintain AS9100/ISO9001/ITAR/DFARS compliance and participate in audits.

Skills

Aerospace experience

Manufacturing leadership

CNC machining

Mastercam

G-code programming

CAD/CAM systems

Estimating

Compliance mastery

ERP/MRP

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing/Mechanical engineering

Tools

Surfcam

SolidWorks

Job description

• Closes 28-Sep-2026 (CST)
• Confidential Client
• Huntsville, AL, USA
• Competitive Salary Based on Experience & Qualifications; Performance-Based Bonus Opportunities
• Full Time
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance. Paid time off (PTO), holidays, and continuing education support.

If you are a results-driven manufacturing leader with deep CNC machining expertise and a commitment to operational excellence, we encourage you to apply.

Lead Precision Manufacturing for Mission-Critical Aerospace Programs

Are you an experienced manufacturing leader with a passion for precision machining, aerospace innovation, and operational excellence? We are seeking a Machine Shop Manager to oversee all aspects of our machining operations supporting advanced aerospace engineering and manufacturing programs for the Department of Defense (DoD), NASA, and other defense and aerospace partners.

This is an opportunity to lead a highly skilled team, drive continuous improvement, and play a direct role in producing critical components that support national defense and space exploration initiatives.

What You'll Do

As Machine Shop Manager, you will be responsible for the overall performance of the machine shop, ensuring safe, efficient, and high-quality operations while meeting customer requirements and contract schedules.

Your responsibilities will include managing daily production activities, overseeing CNC machining and programming operations, coordinating production schedules, and ensuring effective material and tooling utilization. You will lead machinists, CNC programmers, and technical personnel while fostering a culture of accountability, teamwork, quality, and safety.

You will work closely with engineering, quality assurance, and program management teams to support manufacturing requirements, optimize workflows, and solve complex production challenges. This position also plays a key role in proposal development, cost estimating, and responding to customer requests for quotations.

Additional responsibilities include maintaining compliance with AS9100, ISO 9001, ITAR, DFARS, and customer-specific requirements; managing cost, schedule, and performance metrics; supporting audits and customer reviews; and representing the company during technical briefings and facility tours.

Required Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have:

• 15+ years of aerospace, defense, or precision manufacturing experience
• 10+ years of manufacturing operations or production leadership experience
• 5+ years of program or project management experience with responsibility for cost, schedule, and performance
• Extensive hands-on knowledge of CNC machining operations, tooling, production processes, and shop management
• Strong proficiency with Mastercam, G-code programming, CAD/CAM systems, and production planning
• Experience preparing manufacturing estimates, quotations, and production plans from engineering drawings and specifications
• Strong understanding of AS9100, ISO 9001, ITAR, and DFARS compliance requirements
• Experience using ERP/MRP systems in a manufacturing environment
• Excellent leadership, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to interpret complex engineering drawings and translate them into effective manufacturing solutions

Education: Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Technology, or a related field is preferred. Equivalent industry experience may be substituted for all educational requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

Candidates with the following experience are strongly encouraged to apply:

• Degree or formal training in machining or manufacturing technology
• Experience with SolidWorks and Surfcam
• Active or previous Secret security clearance
• Direct experience supporting NASA, DoD, or prime aerospace contractor machining programs
• Background in high-mix, low-volume precision machining environments

Why Join Us?

You will have the opportunity to lead a critical manufacturing operation supporting some of the nation's most important aerospace and defense programs. We offer a collaborative environment where technical expertise, leadership, innovation, and continuous improvement are valued and rewarded.