Machine Shop Leader

Flagstaff, Arizona | Full-Time | Manufacturing Operations Leadership

The Machine Shop Leader provides strategic and day-to-day leadership of machine shop operations to ensure safe, efficient, and cost-effective production of high-quality products. This role is responsible for production execution, workforce development, manufacturing readiness, quality performance, continuous improvement, and cross-functional collaboration with Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and Operations.

• Lead, coach, mentor, and develop machine shop personnel while fostering a culture of accountability, teamwork, safety, quality, and continuous improvement.

• Direct daily machine shop operations to achieve safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and cost objectives.

• Manage production schedules, capacity planning, labor utilization, throughput, and bottleneck reduction.

• Ensure materials, tooling, fixtures, programs, and resources are available to support production requirements.

• Provide technical leadership for CNC machining processes, tooling strategies, and manufacturing methods.

• Partner with Manufacturing Engineering to improve efficiency, capability, repeatability, and scalability.

• Lead troubleshooting of complex machining, tooling, fixturing, and process issues.

• Create, facilitate, and drive Manufacturing Readiness Reviews (MRRs).

• Coordinate cross-functional action items and ensure production readiness prior to release.

• Provide Design for Manufacturability (DFM) feedback during product development and design reviews.

• Review engineering drawings, specifications, ECOs, and ECNs for manufacturing impact and implementation planning.

• Drive closure of manufacturing-related action items stemming from design reviews and engineering changes.

• Participate in Material Review Board (MRB) discussions and disposition decisions.

• Lead Root Cause and Corrective Action (RCCA) investigations for nonconforming hardware and manufacturing escapes.

• Drive containment, corrective actions, preventive actions, and long-term process improvements.

• Support audits, quality initiatives, and first-pass yield improvements.

GD&T and Technical Governance

• Advocate proper application of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T).

• Review drawings for manufacturability, inspection feasibility, and tolerance stack-up risk.

• Support Engineering and Quality teams with GD&T interpretation and best practices.

• High School Diploma or GED.

• Minimum 7 years of manufacturing experience.

• Minimum 3 years of leadership experience in a machining or manufacturing environment.

• Strong CNC machining background and machine shop operational expertise.

• Proficiency in reading engineering drawings and specifications.

• Working knowledge of GD&T.

• Strong communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills.

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, or related field.

• Experience in aerospace, medical device, defense, or other regulated manufacturing industries.

• Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or Kaizen certification.

• Experience with ERP/MRP systems.

• Experience with MRB, RCCA, PFMEA, APQP, and New Product Introduction activities.

• On-Time Delivery (OTD)

• Labor Utilization and Absorption

• OEE and Throughput

• Scrap and Rework Reduction

• First Pass Yield

• RCCA Closure Effectiveness

• Continuous Improvement Savings

• Safety Performance

The physical demands for this role include standing for extended periods, frequent walking, and performing repetitive motions such as bending, lifting, and reaching.  There may be times that involve prolonged periods of sitting at a desk, using a computer, and engaging in repetitive hand movements for tasks like typing or writing. Team members must be able to lift and move objects up to 50 pounds regularly and occasionally heavier items with assistance. The role may involve operating machinery, using hand tools, and maintaining precise hand-eye coordination. Good hearing and manual dexterity are essential for safely performing tasks and ensuring product quality. To effectively complete the tasks in this position, the vision requirements needed are the ability to adjust focus and identify and distinguish colors. The work environment for this role is in a manufacturing facility with machinery, tools, and materials, requiring adherence to safety protocols and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Noise levels can be high, and tasks may involve lifting or moving parts. Minimal time will be spent in wet or humid conditions, and near caustic or toxic chemicals.

Machine Solutions is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing a workplace free from discrimination and harassment.