Senior CNC Machinist & Process Improvement Lead

RFA Engineering; Pontiac (IL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and Dental Insurance

Health Savings Account

TelaDoc: Virtual Health Care

Vision Insurance

Company Paid / Supplemental Life Ins

Company Paid Long-Term Disability

Supplemental Short-Term Disability

Retirement Savings Account (401k)

Flexible Spending Plan Dependent Care

Bonus Plan (Exempt Employees Only)

Paid Time Off (PTO)

Paid Holidays

Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)

Education Assistance

Job summary

RFA Engineering is seeking an experienced Sr. CNC Machinist - Process Improvement Specialist for an on-site role in Pontiac, IL.

You will work closely with CNC operators and production teams to identify bottlenecks, troubleshoot issues, and implement improvements that boost efficiency and throughput. The ideal candidate has extensive shop-floor machining experience, strong reading of blueprints/GD&T, and a proven track record in leading process improvements in a manufacturing setting.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in CNC machining, manufacturing operations, or production leadership.
• Hands‑on experience operating and supporting CNC equipment in a production environment.
• Experience with CNC lathes, mills, machining centers, tooling, and machining processes.
• Strong understanding of machining operations and production workflow.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints, engineering drawings, and GD&T requirements.
• Experience troubleshooting machining and manufacturing process issues.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively with shop floor personnel.
• Ability to identify inefficiencies and drive process improvements.

Responsibilities

• Support daily machining and manufacturing operations on the shop floor.
• Work directly with CNC operators, machinists, quality personnel, and production supervisors to resolve manufacturing issues.
• Evaluate machining processes and implement improvements to increase productivity, quality, and machine utilization.
• Monitor production performance, cycle times, tooling performance, and equipment efficiency.
• Troubleshoot machining, tooling, and process-related issues to minimize downtime.
• Support CNC programming adjustments, setup improvements, and process optimization initiatives.
• Validate new manufacturing processes, tooling changes, prototype builds, and production improvements.
• Analyze workflow, manufacturing layouts, and production methods to identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Read and interpret prints, process sheets, and manufacturing documentation to ensure compliance with specifications.
• Develop and maintain process documentation, work instructions, and manufacturing standards.
• Partner with quality and operations teams to investigate root causes and implement corrective actions.
• Drive continuous improvement projects focused on safety, quality, delivery, and cost reduction.

Skills

CNC machining

Blueprints / GD&T

Manufacturing operations

Problem solving

Reading engineering drawings

Process improvement

Shop floor communication

Continuous improvement

Education

Bachelors of Science in Industrial Engineering or related field

Bachelors of Science in Mechanical Engineering Technology or related field

Job description

RFA Engineering is seeking an experienced Sr. CNC Machinist - Process Improvement Specialist for an on-site role in Pontiac, IL.

You will work closely with CNC operators and production teams to identify bottlenecks, troubleshoot issues, and implement improvements that boost efficiency and throughput. The ideal candidate has extensive shop-floor machining experience, strong reading of blueprints/GD&T, and a proven track record in leading process improvements in a manufacturing setting.