Senior Manufacturing Engineer

Actalent; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 55,000 - 83,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) retirement plan

Life insurance

Disability insurance

Health Spending Account (HSA)

Transportation benefits

Employee Assistance Program

Paid time off

Job summary

Actalent is seeking an Advanced Manufacturing Engineer – CNC Programmer in Phoenix to develop CNC programs for 3–5 axis mills and optimize complex machining processes. You will create setup instructions, collaborate with engineering and production, and drive improvements ensuring parts meet stringent aerospace and defense standards.

The role emphasizes hands-on problem solving, GD&T application, and using Mastercam/NX and SolidWorks for CAM/CAD work in a fully onsite environment.

Qualifications

• 8+ years in advanced manufacturing process engineering, focused on multi-axis CNC milling.
• 5+ years using Mastercam or Siemens NX for programming.
• Strong CAD experience with SolidWorks or NX.
• Hands-on experience with 5-axis machining in a precision setting.
• Proficient in CNC programming and optimizing tool paths.
• Familiar with CAM workflows and GD&T application.
• Effective collaboration with engineering and production to solve shop-floor issues.

Responsibilities

• Develop, verify, and optimize CNC programs for multi-axis mills (3–5 axes).
• Create detailed setup sheets and work instructions for machinists.
• Collaborate with engineering and production to troubleshoot machining challenges.
• Analyze cycles for efficiency, reduce waste, and improve throughput.
• Apply GD&T to ensure tight tolerances in aerospace/defense parts.
• Use CAD/CAM tools to generate accurate tool paths for complex geometries.
• Support continuous process improvements and standardization initiatives.
• Provide hands-on production support during runs and tooling changes.

Skills

Five-axis machining

Mastercam/NX programming

SolidWorks

GD&T

CNC programming

Tool path optimization

Cross-functional collaboration

Tools

Mastercam

Siemens NX

SolidWorks

Job description

Advanced Manufacturing Engineer – CNC Programmer

Job Description

Join a well-established precision machining and manufacturing organization that supports customers in aerospace, defense, semiconductor, and other advanced industries. As an Advanced Manufacturing Engineer – CNC Programmer, you develop CNC programs, optimize machining processes, create detailed work instructions, and support complex, high-precision manufacturing operations. You work closely with engineering and production teams to troubleshoot machining challenges, drive process improvements, and ensure products consistently meet strict quality and customer requirements. This role is ideal for a hands‑on manufacturing professional who enjoys solving technical problems and making a direct impact on production performance and success.

Responsibilities

• Develop, verify, and optimize CNC programs for multi-axis machining centers, including 3-, 4-, and 5-axis mills, to support high-precision manufacturing operations.

• Create clear and detailed work instructions, setup sheets, and documentation to guide machinists and production staff through each operation.

• Collaborate closely with engineering and production teams to troubleshoot machining challenges and resolve technical issues on the shop floor.

• Improve machining processes by analyzing cycle times, tool paths, and workflows to increase efficiency, reduce waste, and enhance throughput.

• Apply GD&T principles to ensure parts are manufactured to tight tolerances and meet demanding aerospace, defense, semiconductor, and other advanced industry standards.

• Use CAD and CAM tools such as SolidWorks and Siemens NX to design or interpret models and generate accurate tool paths for complex geometries.

• Leverage Mastercam or NX programming capabilities to support multi-axis and 5-axis machining, ensuring optimal cutting strategies and surface finishes.

• Support continuous process improvement initiatives by identifying opportunities for standardization, better tooling, and improved fixturing.

• Partner with quality and production teams to ensure products meet strict customer specifications and internal quality requirements.

• Provide hands‑on support during production runs, including program adjustments, tooling changes, and process refinements to maintain stable operations.

Essential Skills

• Minimum 8+ years of process engineering experience in advanced manufacturing operations, specifically machining with 3-, 4-, and 5-axis mills.

• 5+ years of Mastercam or Siemens NX CNC programming experience, required to be considered for this position.

• Strong proficiency with SolidWorks or Siemens NX CAD (rated 9/10 level of proficiency).

• Hands‑on experience with multi-axis and 5-axis machining in a precision manufacturing environment.

• Proficiency in CNC programming, including creating, editing, and optimizing programs for complex parts.

• Working knowledge of Mastercam for CAM programming and tool path generation.

• Experience using SolidWorks NX or Siemens NX for CAD modeling and integration with CAM workflows.

• Solid understanding of manufacturing processes and process improvement in advanced manufacturing operations.

• Strong knowledge of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) and its application in precision machining.

• Ability to collaborate effectively with engineering and production teams to solve machining and process‑related challenges.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in the aerospace industry is preferred and beneficial for understanding strict quality and regulatory requirements.

• Support customers in defense, semiconductor, or other advanced industries is advantageous.

• Demonstrated ability to drive process improvement initiatives in a production environment.

• Comfort working in a hands‑on role, engaging directly with equipment, tooling, and shop floor personnel.

• Strong problem‑solving skills with a focus on root cause analysis and sustainable corrective actions.

• Ability to interpret complex engineering drawings and 3D models using GD&T.

• Effective communication skills for coordinating with cross‑functional teams and documenting processes clearly.

Work Environment

This role is fully onsite, Monday through Friday, in a precision machining and manufacturing environment that supports advanced industries such as aerospace, defense, and semiconductor. You work closely with engineering and production teams on the shop floor, engaging directly with CNC equipment, multi‑axis and 5‑axis mills, and related tooling and fixturing. The environment emphasizes collaboration, technical problem‑solving, and continuous process improvement, offering the opportunity to see the direct impact of your work on production performance and product quality.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Phoenix, AZ.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $40.00 - $60.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job‑related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre‑tax and Roth post‑tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long‑term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Phoenix,AZ.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 18, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.