Senior Manufacturing Engineer – Precision Machining

Help Us Build the Next Generation of Manufacturing

Reata Engineering & Machine Works isn't looking for someone to sit behind a desk and maintain processes that have existed for 20 years. We're looking for someone who knows precision machining, understands what great manufacturing looks like, and still believes there is always a better way to do it.

Reata is a growing precision manufacturer serving aerospace, defense, medical and other demanding industries. Our shop includes advanced multi-axis CNC equipment, including Mazak Integrex mill-turns, Variaxis 5-axis machining centers, horizontal machining centers with Palletech automation, turning centers and Swiss machining.

The work is complex. The tolerances are tight. The parts change constantly. That's exactly why we need you.

We have talented young engineers who are hungry to learn, along with experienced people working on automation, systems and the future of our manufacturing operation. What we're missing is another experienced manufacturing engineer who can bridge the two. Someone who has been around precision machining long enough to recognize a good process—and a bad one. Someone who can look at a new part and ask:

• What's the right machine for this?
• How should we fixture it?
• Can we reduce the number of operations?
• What should we machine versus inspect in-process?
• How do we make the second run better than the first?
• How do we turn what we learned into a repeatable process?

And, just as importantly, someone who can explain why. You'll work alongside and mentor developing engineers while still being deeply involved in solving real manufacturing problems yourself.

You'll help take complex parts from print and model through a manufacturing process that works on the shop floor.

That includes developing and improving machining processes for prototype and production work; determining machine selection, operation sequence, tooling, work holding and inspection strategy; working closely with CNC programmers, machinists, Quality and Production; troubleshooting difficult machining and process problems; supporting new-product introduction and first-article production; improving setup time, cycle time, tool life, process capability and overall repeatability; and helping turn successful processes into standards that the rest of the organization can build upon.

You'll also have an important role in developing our engineering team.

We don't want someone who simply gives younger engineers the answer. We want someone who teaches them how to think through the problem themselves.

This is a high-mix precision machining environment—not a traditional high-volume production line. You'll be working around equipment and processes that include:

• 3-, 4- and 5-axis CNC machining
• Mazak Integrex mill-turn technology
• Horizontal machining and pallet automation
• CNC turning
• Swiss machining
• Complex work holding and fixturing
• Tight-tolerance aerospace and medical components
• First Article Inspection and AS9102 requirements
• AS9100 manufacturing systems

Experience with every machine or process isn't necessary. A strong understanding of precision CNC machining is.

Has meaningful experience developing machining processes in a precision manufacturing environment.

Understands CNC machining well enough to have credible technical conversations with experienced machinists and programmers. Can look at a print, model and manufacturing process and identify opportunities to make the part simpler, faster, more repeatable or less expensive to produce. Enjoys being on the shop floor and solving problems with the people actually making the parts. Can mentor younger engineers without micromanaging them.

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