Senior Mechanical / Manufacturing Engineer – Ceramic Machining

Outstanding People International; Knoxville (TN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Outstanding People International seeks a Senior Mechanical/Manufacturing Engineer with ceramic machining expertise to join an advanced nuclear technology environment in Knoxville, Tennessee. The role combines mechanical design with hands-on precision machining of ceramic components.

The successful candidate will develop in-house machining capabilities, design production tooling, and improve processes for high-precision ceramic components used in nuclear reactor applications.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of mechanical design and machine-shop experience.
• Direct hands-on ceramic machining experience.
• Experience with wire EDM, diamond grinding, and CNC milling.
• Strong knowledge of CNC programming, machine setup, and precision inspection.
• Proficiency in SolidWorks, MasterCAM, or comparable CAD/CAM software.
• Understanding of GD&T and precision inspection procedures.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement in-house machining capabilities for high-precision components.
• Design and manufacture production tooling, fixtures, and prototype components.
• Work with ceramic machining processes, including wire EDM, diamond grinding, and CNC milling.
• Analyse engineering drawings and provide Design for Manufacturing (DFM) recommendations.
• Investigate quality issues and develop effective manufacturing solutions.
• Identify, evaluate, and implement new machining equipment and technologies.
• Improve manufacturing processes, production efficiency, and cost effectiveness.
• Collaborate with external machine shops when required.

Skills

Ceramic machining

Mechanical design

CNC programming

CNC milling

Wire EDM

Diamond grinding

SolidWorks

MasterCAM

GD&T

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

MasterCAM

Job description

Senior Mechanical / Manufacturing Engineer – Ceramic Machining

Experience Level: Mid-Senior

Employment Type: Full-time

Eligibility Requirement – Applicants must already be legally authorized to work in the United States and must not require employer-sponsored work visas now or at any point in the future. No Visa Sponsorship.

Relocation assistance is not provided. Candidates should ideally be based within commuting distance of Knoxville, Tennessee, or have their own arrangements to relocate.

We are seeking an experienced Mechanical / Manufacturing Engineer with specialist expertise in ceramic machining to join an advanced engineering and manufacturing environment working on cutting-edge nuclear technology.

This is an excellent opportunity for an engineer who combines strong mechanical design knowledge with hands-on experience in precision machining, particularly ceramic components.

The successful candidate will play a key role in developing machining capabilities, designing production tooling, manufacturing prototypes, and improving processes used to produce high-precision components for nuclear reactor applications.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement in-house machining capabilities for high-precision components.
• Design and manufacture production tooling, fixtures, and prototype components.
• Work with ceramic machining processes, including wire EDM, diamond grinding, and CNC milling.
• Analyse engineering drawings and provide Design for Manufacturing (DFM) recommendations.
• Investigate quality issues and develop effective manufacturing solutions.
• Identify, evaluate, and implement new machining equipment and technologies.
• Improve manufacturing processes, production efficiency, and cost effectiveness.
• Collaborate with external machine shops when required.

Mandatory Requirements

• Proven professional experience in ceramic machining is essential.
• Minimum 5 years of mechanical design and machine-shop experience.
• Practical experience with ceramic machining processes, including wire EDM, diamond grinding, and CNC milling.
• Strong knowledge of CNC programming, machine setup, and precision machining.
• Advanced proficiency in SolidWorks, MasterCAM, or comparable CAD/CAM software.
• Good understanding of GD&T and precision inspection procedures.
• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or another relevant engineering discipline.

Important: General machining experience, particularly conventional metal machining alone, will not be sufficient. Candidates must have direct, hands-on experience machining ceramic components.