Sr. CNC Machinist - Process Improvement Specialist

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

Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

Long-Term Disability

401k

Job summary

RFA Engineering is seeking a Sr. CNC Machinist - Process Improvement Specialist to join our on-site manufacturing engineering team in Pontiac, IL.

The role emphasizes hands-on machining leadership, overseeing CNC operations, and driving process improvements to boost productivity and quality. The ideal candidate has extensive shop-floor experience, strong background in CNC lathes, mills, and machining centers, and a track record of resolving production bottlenecks.

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

Lean manufacturing

Six Sigma

GD&T reading

Problem solving

Communication skills

Machining center ops

CNC programming

Education

Bachelor in Industrial Engineering

Bachelor in Mechanical Engineering Technology

Tools

CNC lathes

CNC mills

Machining centers

Quality measurement tools

Job description

Sr. CNC Machinist - Process Improvement Specialist

• Posted on November 5, 2026

Locations

Showing 1 location

Pontiac, IL, USA

• On-site
• Manufacturing Engineering
• Full-Time
• Requisition #: MANUF001865

Description

RFA Engineering( www.rfamec.com ) is an engineering service provider dedicated to delivering our clients with timely engineering support and expertise. We are seeking Entry to Senior Level candidates to become an integral part of our engineering team. The selected candidates will work with an experienced engineering staff using state-of-the-art engineering tools & processes. These positions will operate onsite at our customer's world-class engineering and manufacturing facility.

This is a full-time position with a full benefit package listed below that includesopportunitiesfor professional growth, direct hire by our customers, and additional opportunities within our own organization.

Sr. CNC Machinist - Process Improvement Specialist

This position will require extensive shop floor experience and a strong machining background, with the ability to oversee CNC operations, identify production bottlenecks, troubleshoot process issues, and implement improvements that increase manufacturing efficiency. This is a hands-on role that requires significant time spent in the manufacturing environment working directly with operators, machinists, tooling, and production personnel.

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.

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.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supervising machining operations or leading manufacturing improvement initiatives.
• CNC programming experience.
• Tooling, fixture design, or cutting tool optimization experience.
• Knowledge of manufacturing metrics, cycle time reduction, and capacity improvement.
• Experience with process validation and production start-up activities.
• Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement experience.
• Understanding of tolerance stack-up and machining quality requirements

Visa sponsorship is NOT available for this position.

Pay Range: $55,000-$85,000 commensurate with experience

About RFA Engineering

RFA Engineering has provided product development and engineering services to industry leading customers since 1943. Our primary focus is the development of off highway equipment including agricultural, construction, mining, recreational, industrial, and special machines. Our work includes concept development, product design, documentation, problem-solving, simulation, optimization, and testing of components, systems and complete machines. Our engineering staff is located at our Engineering Center in Eden Prairie, MN, branch office in Dubuque, IA, and at numerous customer sites throughout the U.S.
Competitive Benefits

• Health and Dental Insurance
• Health Savings Account
• TelaDoc: Virtual Health Care
• Vision Insurance
• Company Paid / Supplemental Life Insurance
• Company Paid Long-Term Disability
• Supplemental Short-Term Disability
• Retirement Savings Account (Traditional 401k & Roth 401k)
• Flexible Spending Plan Dependent Care
• Bonus Plan (Exempt Employees Only)
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Paid Holidays
• Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)
• Education Assistance

Equal Opportunity and Veteran Friendly

Education

Preferred

Bachelors of Science or better in Industrial Engineering or related field.

Bachelors of Science or better in Mechanical Engineering Technology or related field.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.