Manufacturing Process Engineer (Aerospace Machining)

TekPro; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

TekPro, partnered with a rapidly growing precision machining company in the Bay Area, seeks an experienced Process Engineer to join the expanding team. You will develop, implement, and continuously improve manufacturing processes for complex, close-tolerance components from contract review through FAI and full production.

The ideal candidate has hands-on CNC machining expertise, strong process development and continuous improvement skills, and will collaborate with CNC Programming, Production,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering, or related field; equivalent hands-on experience.
• 5+ years of manufacturing or process engineering in precision CNC machining or a comparable high-mix manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of CNC milling, turning, tooling, fixturing, setup practices, and manufacturing process development.
• Demonstrated experience developing manufacturing routings, process plans, and production documentation.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, CAD models, GD&T, and complex manufacturing specifications.
• Working knowledge of CAM software and CNC manufacturing methods.
• Experience supporting first article inspections, root cause investigations, and corrective actions.
• Experience in aerospace, defense, medical device, semiconductor, or other highly regulated environments preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manufacturing Process Development: Develop and maintain detailed manufacturing routings, including operation sequences, work centers, tooling, fixturing, materials, setup/run standards, and outside processing requirements.
• CNC Machining Support: Collaborate with CNC Programmers and Production to develop effective machining strategies, optimize setups, and troubleshoot manufacturing challenges.
• Tooling & Fixturing: Support tooling selection, fixture design, workholding solutions, probing methods, and manufacturing setup improvements.
• Process Planning: Determine optimal manufacturing sequences for complex, close-tolerance components while considering material conditions, datum structures, tolerances, and downstream operations.
• First Article & Production Readiness: Support first-piece inspections, machining prove-outs, First Article Inspection (FAI), and manufacturing readiness reviews.
• Quality & Compliance: Partner with Quality Engineering to establish inspection requirements, ensure drawing and GD&T compliance, and support AS9100 and AS9102 requirements.
• Root Cause & Corrective Action: Investigate manufacturing nonconformances, identify root causes, and implement sustainable corrective actions to prevent recurring defects.
• Continuous Improvement: Lead initiatives to reduce cycle times, setup times, scrap, rework, and manufacturing costs while improving throughput and process capability.
• Manufacturing Documentation: Develop and maintain process plans, work instructions, routing documentation, and controlled manufacturing procedures.
• ERP & Production Planning: Maintain accurate manufacturing routings, work centers, setup/run standards, and revision information within ERP systems.
• Cost Reduction & Estimating: Provide technical input for manufacturing feasibility, quoting, tooling requirements, process improvements, and capital equipment evaluations.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with Engineering, Quality, Production, and Supply Chain to support new product introductions, process changes, and production efficiency.

Skills

CNC machining

Process development

GD&T

CAM software

CMM inspection

Lean manufacturing

Six Sigma

Cross-functional collaboration

Engineering drawings

Manufacturing documentation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering, or related field

Tools

CAD software

CAM software

CMM tools

ERP/MRP systems

Job description

TekPro is partnered with a rapidly growing precision machining company in the Bay Area in their search for an experienced Process Engineer! Due to a massive increase in new business, we are actively seeking a proven machining process engineer to join the team. In-depth knowledge of CNC machining processes is a hard requirement. Experience with prime aerospace and defense contracts is heavily preferred.

Summary

We are seeking an experienced Process Engineer to join a growing precision manufacturing company serving the aerospace and defense industries.

This position is responsible for developing, implementing, and continuously improving manufacturing processes for complex, close-tolerance components, from initial contract review through first article inspection and full production.

The ideal candidate will have a strong hands-on background in CNC machining, manufacturing process development, and continuous improvement within a high-mix precision manufacturing environment. This role works closely with CNC Programming, Production, Quality, Supply Chain, and Estimating to ensure efficient, repeatable, and cost-effective manufacturing operations.

Responsibilities:

• Manufacturing Process Development: Develop and maintain detailed manufacturing routings, including operation sequences, work centers, tooling, fixturing, materials, setup/run standards, and outside processing requirements.
• CNC Machining Support: Collaborate with CNC Programmers and Production to develop effective machining strategies, optimize setups, and troubleshoot manufacturing challenges.
• Tooling & Fixturing: Support tooling selection, fixture design, workholding solutions, probing methods, and manufacturing setup improvements.
• Process Planning: Determine optimal manufacturing sequences for complex, close-tolerance components while considering material conditions, datum structures, tolerances, and downstream operations.
• First Article & Production Readiness: Support first-piece inspections, machining prove-outs, First Article Inspection (FAI), and manufacturing readiness reviews.
• Quality & Compliance: Partner with Quality Engineering to establish inspection requirements, ensure drawing and GD&T compliance, and support AS9100 and AS9102 requirements.
• Root Cause & Corrective Action: Investigate manufacturing nonconformances, identify root causes, and implement sustainable corrective actions to prevent recurring defects.
• Continuous Improvement: Lead initiatives to reduce cycle times, setup times, scrap, rework, and manufacturing costs while improving throughput and process capability.
• Manufacturing Documentation: Develop and maintain process plans, work instructions, routing documentation, and controlled manufacturing procedures.
• ERP & Production Planning: Maintain accurate manufacturing routings, work centers, setup/run standards, and revision information within ERP systems.
• Cost Reduction & Estimating: Provide technical input for manufacturing feasibility, quoting, tooling requirements, process improvements, and capital equipment evaluations.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with Engineering, Quality, Production, and Supply Chain to support new product introductions, process changes, and production efficiency.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical discipline; equivalent hands-on manufacturing experience may be considered.
• 5+ years of manufacturing or process engineering experience in precision CNC machining or a comparable high-mix manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of CNC milling, turning, tooling, fixturing, setup practices, and manufacturing process development.
• Demonstrated experience developing manufacturing routings, process plans, and production documentation.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, CAD models, GD&T, and complex manufacturing specifications.
• Working knowledge of CAM software and CNC manufacturing methods.
• Experience supporting first article inspections, root cause investigations, and corrective actions.
• Strong problem-solving, technical communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Willingness to spend significant time on the manufacturing floor supporting machining operations and process improvements.
• Experience in aerospace, defense, medical device, semiconductor, or other highly regulated precision manufacturing environments preferred.
• Familiarity with AS9100, ISO 9001, and AS9102 requirements preferred.
• Experience with multi-axis CNC turning and 3-, 4-, and 5-axis milling preferred.
• Knowledge of grinding, lapping, welding, heat treatment, plating, and other secondary manufacturing processes is a plus.
• Experience with 3D CAD, tooling and fixture design, CMM inspection, SPC, and process capability analysis preferred.
• Familiarity with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and manufacturing ERP/MRP systems is a plus.