Manufacturing Engineer

5th Axis Inc; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance-based bonus opportunities

Company-paid medical coverage for you

401(k) with company match

Paid time off & holidays

Career advancement opportunities

Team events

Job summary

5th Axis is a global leader in precision machining and turnkey manufacturing solutions, delivering advanced workholding, zero-point technology, and automated production systems. As Manufacturing Engineer, you’ll move parts from engineering to production, designing processes and routings while improving yield, cost, lead time, and process control.

You’ll collaborate with Engineering, Programming, Planning, Quality, and Purchasing to drive measurable improvements on the shop floor, applying Lean,

Qualifications

• > Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in manufacturing engineering or related field.
• > 7+ years manufacturing/assembly experience.
• > Strong CNC machining, part programming, tooling, fixturing knowledge.
• > Experience developing or improving manufacturing processes, routings, and work instructions.
• > Working knowledge of ERP/MRP systems; Epicor a plus.
• > CAD tool proficiency; SolidWorks preferred.
• > Knowledge of quality-control methods and Kaizen/Lean practices.
• > Strong analytical and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• > Design and improve manufacturing processes, tooling, automation, and work instructions.
• > Apply Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and continuous-improvement to manufacturing challenges.
• > Review drawings to create BOMs, methods, and routings in ERP.
• > Plan component and assembly flow through production stages.
• > Coordinate with Programming for optimized CNC programs, tooling, and fixturing.
• > Schedule and expedite jobs; coordinate material readiness with Planning and Purchasing.
• > Identify bottlenecks and lead cross-functional improvements to reduce lead time and cost.
• > Review nonconforming materials and dispositions; coordinate with Quality.
• > Develop and coordinate outside-processing suppliers with Purchasing and Quality.
• > Use SPC and data to evaluate processes and performance.

Skills

CNC machining

CAD (SolidWorks)

ERP/MRP systems

Lean / Kaizen

Six Sigma

Problem solving

Cross-functional collaboration

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical/industrial/manufacturing engineering (or related)

7+ years equivalent manufacturing experience

Tools

SolidWorks

Epicor ERP

Job description

Engineer the Future of Precision Manufacturing at 5th Axis

At 5th Axis, we’re global leaders in precision machining, automated production, and turnkey manufacturing solutions. From advanced workholding systems to zero-point technology, we design, build, and deliver solutions that empower machinists and manufacturers worldwide.

If you’re passionate about solving complex production challenges, improving manufacturing processes, and turning engineering concepts into repeatable shop-floor results, we want you here.

Turn Manufacturing Challenges Into Better Processes

As a Manufacturing Engineer, you’ll work across Manufacturing, Programming, Planning, Quality, and Purchasing to improve how products move from engineering documentation to successful production.

You’ll develop manufacturing methods, create routings and bills of materials, coordinate tooling and material readiness, and lead projects that improve quality, cost, lead time, and process control.

This is a hands-on manufacturing engineering role that directly supports the production floor. Candidates should have practical knowledge of CNC machining, part programming, tooling, and fixturing—not only product design or theoretical engineering experience.

What the Job Looks Like

• A new component is released—you review the engineering documents and create the bill of materials, manufacturing method, and production routing.
• A job encounters a production bottleneck—you coordinate with Programming, Planning, Purchasing, and Manufacturing to keep it moving.
• A CNC process is not meeting expectations—you evaluate the program, tooling, fixturing, and production method.
• A nonconformance occurs—you work with Quality and Operations to determine the appropriate disposition and corrective path.
• A process has excessive cost or lead time—you lead an improvement project to strengthen efficiency, yield, and process control.

What You’ll Do Here

• Design new manufacturing processes and improve existing methods, tooling, automation, and work instructions.
• Apply Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and other continuous-improvement principles to manufacturing challenges.
• Review engineering drawings and documentation to create bills of materials, manufacturing methods, and production routings in the ERP system.
• Plan and establish how components and assemblies will move through each stage of production.
• Coordinate with Programming to support optimized CNC programs, tooling, and fixturing.
• Coordinate material and tooling readiness with Programming, Planning, and Purchasing.
• Schedule and expedite jobs through their respective manufacturing processes.
• Identify and resolve production and quality bottlenecks with the appropriate decision-makers.
• Review and disposition nonconforming materials and components.
• Support the development and coordination of outside-processing suppliers in partnership with Purchasing and Quality.
• Use statistical methods and manufacturing data to evaluate processes, production standards, staffing requirements, and performance.
• Lead cross-functional projects that reduce lead times and manufacturing costs while improving yield and process control.
• Prepare and maintain SPC sheets, in-process drawings, work instructions, and other manufacturing documentation in the ERP system.

What You’ll Bring

• A bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, industrial engineering, manufacturing engineering, or a related field, or at least seven years of equivalent relevant manufacturing experience.
• Five or more years of experience in a manufacturing and/or assembly environment.
• Demonstrated knowledge of CNC machining, including part programming, tooling, and fixturing.
• Experience developing or improving manufacturing processes, production routings, and work instructions.
• Working knowledge of MRP or ERP systems; Epicor experience is a plus.
• Experience with CAD-based design software; SolidWorks experience is preferred.
• Knowledge of quality-control methods and component-inspection practices.
• Familiarity with Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, or similar continuous-improvement methods.
• Strong analytical, mathematical, and problem-solving skills.
• The ability to collaborate effectively with Engineering, Programming, Production, Quality, Planning, and Purchasing teams.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.

Who This Role Is Ideal For

• Manufacturing engineers who enjoy working directly with production teams and solving shop-floor problems.
• CNC manufacturing professionals ready to apply their technical experience to process engineering and project leadership.
• Process-focused engineers who can connect design requirements with tooling, programming, materials, quality, and production execution.
• Continuous-improvement professionals who want to lead measurable improvements in cost, quality, lead time, and yield.
• Engineers who are comfortable balancing technical analysis, documentation, production priorities, and cross-functional coordination.

Why You’ll Love Working With Us

• Competitive pay with performance-based bonus opportunities
• 100% company-paid medical coverage available for employees
• Company-paid life and disability insurance
• 401(k) with up to a 5% company match
• Generous paid time off and paid holidays
• Training and meaningful opportunities for career advancement
• A supportive, non-corporate culture where your ideas matter
• Company-sponsored team events and activities

This is your opportunity to influence how precision components are planned, programmed, tooled, produced, and improved. You’ll solve real manufacturing problems, lead meaningful process improvements, and help strengthen operations across the production floor.

5th Axis is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity, value different perspectives, and believe everyone has the ability to make an impact. If you need an accommodation during the application or interview process, please contact [e-mail] .