Senior Manufacturing Engineer

Bowden Manufacturing; Willoughby (OH); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Bowden Manufacturing seeks a Senior Manufacturing Engineer to lead the development, maintenance, and optimization of precision CNC machining processes. The role combines hands-on CNC programming, tooling design, and workholding with strategic process development to improve productivity and quality.

You will collaborate with production, quality, and leadership to solve complex challenges, implement improvements, and influence capital investment decisions and long-term capacity planning.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering or CNC machining.
• Strong knowledge of CNC machining, programming, tooling, workholding, GD&T, and blueprint interpretation.
• Experience developing manufacturing processes from initial requirements through production implementation.
• Ability to independently troubleshoot complex manufacturing challenges and develop practical solutions.
• Familiarity with aerospace manufacturing requirements, AS9100 and ISO 9001 preferred.
• Strong communication and organizational skills across all levels of the company.
• Demonstrated initiative, accountability, adaptability, and commitment to teamwork and continuous learning.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and maintain manufacturing processes for new and existing products.
• Develop and optimize CNC programs, machining strategies, tooling, and cutting parameters.
• Design and develop workholding, fixtures, and specialized tooling.
• Establish manufacturing methods, process flows, routers, and work instructions.
• Work directly with production personnel to prove out processes, troubleshoot issues, and improve efficiency.
• Translate engineering drawings, customer requirements, and technical specifications into practical and repeatable manufacturing processes.
• Provide technical leadership across the organization and input on policies, capital investments, and long-term planning.

Skills

CNC machining

CNC programming

Process development

Troubleshooting

Cross functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing or Mechanical Engineering

Job description

Bowden Manufacturing is seeking an experienced Senior Manufacturing Engineer to play a key role in developing, maintaining, and improving our manufacturing operations. This is a high-level position with significant technical responsibility and direct influence on the company's operational performance and long-term goals.

The primary focus will be developing robust, efficient manufacturing processes for precision CNC-machined components. The role involves hands-on work in CNC programming, workholding and tooling design, process development, production support, and continuous improvement. The Senior Manufacturing Engineer will work closely with production, quality, and company leadership to solve complex challenges, develop manufacturing capabilities, and support the company's continued growth.

In addition to day-to-day manufacturing engineering responsibilities, this position will provide technical leadership across the organization and have direct input on operational policies, improvement initiatives, capital investment decisions, and long-term facility and capacity planning.

Responsibilities

Manufacturing Engineering & Process Development

• Develop, implement, and maintain manufacturing processes for new and existing products.
• Develop and optimize CNC programs, machining strategies, tooling, and cutting parameters.
• Design and develop workholding, fixtures, and specialized tooling.
• Establish manufacturing methods, process flows, routers, and work instructions.
• Work directly with production personnel to prove out processes, troubleshoot issues, and improve efficiency.
• Translate engineering drawings, customer requirements, and technical specifications into practical and repeatable manufacturing processes.

Quality & Technical Support

• Provide technical support for inspection planning, first article inspections, and manufacturing-related quality issues.
• Evaluate and select outside vendors for special processes, including heat treating, plating, coating, and other outsourced operations.
• Work with Quality to ensure manufacturing processes meet customer requirements and applicable industry standards.
• Serve as a technical resource for production and quality personnel.

Operational Leadership & Continuous Improvement

• Work with department managers and company leadership to identify, prioritize, and implement improvements across manufacturing operations.
• Lead and support cross-functional initiatives focused on improving productivity, quality, efficiency, and overall operational performance.
• Identify opportunities to improve manufacturing methods, machine utilization, workflow, and production capacity.
• Establish and maintain manufacturing standards and best practices throughout the organization.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to production personnel, encouraging knowledge sharing and the development of technical capabilities throughout the team.
• Take ownership of complex manufacturing challenges and drive practical, sustainable solutions.
• Provide input on company policies, procedures, and operational decisions that affect manufacturing performance and organizational effectiveness.
• Participate in long-term capital equipment and facility expansion planning, providing technical recommendations to support the company's growth objectives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field preferred; equivalent experience considered.
• 7+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering or CNC machining.
• Strong knowledge of CNC machining, programming, tooling, workholding, GD&T, and blueprint interpretation.
• Experience developing manufacturing processes from initial requirements through production implementation.
• Ability to independently troubleshoot complex manufacturing challenges and develop practical solutions.
• Familiarity with aerospace manufacturing requirements, AS9100, and ISO 9001 preferred.
• Strong communication and organizational skills, with the ability to work effectively across all levels of the company.
• Demonstrated initiative, accountability, adaptability, and commitment to teamwork and continuous learning.

Why Join Bowden Manufacturing

Join a growing precision manufacturing company where your experience and ideas will have a direct impact. At Bowden Manufacturing, we value technical skill, strong work ethic, teamwork, continuous learning, and a positive, problem-solving attitude. This is an opportunity to take on a position of significant responsibility, contribute to important company decisions, and help shape the future of our manufacturing operations.