Senior Manufacturing Engineer – CNC Programming Machining

Dreams 2 Reality Recruitment; Bolingbrook (IL); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Dreams 2 Reality Recruitment seeks a Senior Manufacturing Engineer with strong CNC programming and machining expertise for our automotive manufacturing client in the Bolingbrook area. The role focuses on developing and optimizing CNC programs, toolpaths, and machining strategies on turning and milling centers.

The successful candidate will work on the factory floor, collaborating with Operations, Quality, and Maintenance to improve throughput, reduce scrap, and ensure product quality while

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering or related technical discipline; hands-on experience accepted.
• Minimum of 5 years of CNC programming and machining in automotive/high-volume environments.
• Strong expertise in turning and milling including lathes and vertical/horizontal machining centers.
• Experience with CNC platforms such as Fuji and Mori Seiki is highly desirable.
• Proficiency in CAM software (Mastercam) and CAD (AutoCAD).
• Knowledge of GD&T, blueprint interpretation, and tolerances.
• Hands-on experience developing and optimizing programs, toolpaths, and parameters.
• Familiarity with fixture design, workholding, and precision measurement systems.

Responsibilities

• Develop, modify, optimize, and validate CNC programs for turning and milling operations.
• Lead CNC programming and toolpath development for automotive components.
• Improve machining processes to boost throughput and OEE while reducing scrap.
• Identify and implement cutting tools, toolholders, and fixtures.
• Troubleshoot on the production floor and support continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with Quality to establish Cp/Cpk studies and process capability.
• Optimize machining parameters, fixtures, and processes for reliability.
• Support fixture/workholding development including hydraulic/pneumatic systems.
• Drive Lean/Six Sigma initiatives to cut costs and raise quality.

Skills

CNC programming

Machining processes

OEE improvement

Toolpath optimization

Lean Manufacturing

Six Sigma

Process optimization

Problem solving

Quality collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering

Tools

Mastercam

AutoCAD

CMM

Zoller tool presetters

Fuji/Mori Seiki equipment

Job description

Senior Manufacturing Engineer – CNC Programming & Machining

We are seeking a highly experienced, hands-on SeniorManufacturing Engineer with extensive expertise in CNC programming, machiningprocesses, and manufacturing optimization within the automotive industry.

This individual will be responsible for developing,optimizing, and supporting CNC machining processes across productionoperations, with a primary focus on improving overall equipment effectiveness(OEE), increasing production throughput, reducing scrap, and enhancing productquality.

The ideal candidate is a technically strong, hands-onengineer who can work directly on the manufacturing floor to develop CNCprograms, optimize toolpaths and machining strategies, troubleshoot productionchallenges, and implement process improvements. This role requires someone whocan take ownership of machining processes while partnering closely withOperations, Quality, and Maintenance to drive manufacturing efficiency andconsistency.

Please note: This is a temporary position. The facilityis currently expected to close approximately May/June. Candidates must be madeaware of the temporary nature of the opportunity and anticipated facilityclosure before being submitted for consideration.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop,modify, optimize, and validate CNC programs for turning and millingoperations, including CNC lathes and vertical and horizontal machiningcenters.
• LeadCNC programming, toolpath development, and cutting strategy optimizationfor automotive components.
• Evaluateand improve machining processes to increase production throughput, improveOEE, reduce cycle times, and minimize scrap.
• Identifyand implement optimal cutting tools, carbide inserts, tool holders, andworkholding solutions.
• Troubleshootmachining issues involving tool wear, chatter, cycle time inefficiencies,dimensional variation, and process instability.
• Providehands-on technical support on the production floor to resolve machiningand manufacturing challenges.
• Collaboratewith Quality to establish and maintain process capability, includingCp/Cpk studies, SPC, and first-piece validation.
• Optimizemachining parameters, tooling configurations, fixtures, and manufacturingmethods to improve process reliability and product quality.
• Supportfixture and workholding development, including hydraulic and pneumaticsystems.
• Drivecontinuous improvement initiatives using Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma,and other process improvement methodologies.
• Develop,maintain, and update CNC programs, process documentation, workinstructions, and manufacturing standards.
• Partnerwith Operations, Quality, Maintenance, and other cross-functional teams toimprove production performance and resolve technical issues.
• Leadand support manufacturing engineering projects focused on cost reduction,productivity, quality, and process standardization.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor'sdegree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, IndustrialEngineering, or a related technical discipline; equivalent hands-onmanufacturing engineering experience will also be considered.
• Minimumof 5 years of CNC programming and machining experience within anautomotive or high-volume manufacturing environment.
• Strongexpertise in CNC turning and milling operations, including CNC lathes andvertical and horizontal machining centers.
• Experiencewith CNC machine platforms such as Fuji and Mori Seiki is highlydesirable.
• Proficiencyin Mastercam or comparable CAM programming software, along with AutoCAD.
• Strongunderstanding of GD&T, engineering drawings, blueprint interpretation,and dimensional tolerances.
• Hands-onexperience developing and optimizing CNC programs, toolpaths, cuttingparameters, and machining processes.
• Knowledgeof carbide tooling, inserts, tool holders, cutting strategies, andmachining applications.
• Experiencewith fixture design and workholding systems, including hydraulic andpneumatic fixtures.
• Familiaritywith CMM equipment, Zoller tool presetters, and other precisionmeasurement systems.
• Strongunderstanding of Statistical Process Control (SPC), process capabilitystudies, Cp/Cpk, and manufacturing process controls.
• Demonstratedability to troubleshoot machining problems and provide direct technicalsupport on the production floor.
• Stronganalytical, problem-solving, and process optimization skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experiencein high-volume automotive manufacturing and production environments.
• Backgroundin multi-axis CNC machining and advanced machining applications.
• Experiencewith Fuji and Mori Seiki CNC equipment.
• Familiaritywith ERP and Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES).
• LeanManufacturing or Six Sigma certification.
• Provenexperience leading manufacturing process improvement, productivity, andcost reduction initiatives.
• BilingualEnglish/Spanish communication skills strongly preferred.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is a hands-on manufacturing engineerwith strong CNC programming and machining expertise who is comfortable workingdirectly with production teams and equipment. They should have the technicalability to develop and optimize machining processes, troubleshoot complexmanufacturing issues, and implement practical solutions that improveproductivity, quality, and operational efficiency.

Candidates with experience in high-volume automotivemanufacturing, particularly those with strong CNC lathe and milling programmingcapabilities, are highly encouraged to apply.