Lead Machinist

Job Summary

A direct hire opportunity is available for an experienced Lead Machinist in Santa Ana, CA, supporting high-precision aerospace and defense manufacturing. This management-level shop floor leadership role is ideal for a hands-on machining expert who enjoys complex work, tight tolerances, mentoring others, and helping improve production performance.

The Lead Machinist will serve as a technical resource and working leader, setting up and operating manual and CNC equipment while helping ensure aerospace-quality standards are consistently met. This role offers the opportunity to contribute to critical precision components and tooling in a team-oriented manufacturing environment with strong collaboration between machining, engineering, production, and quality teams.

This is a strong fit for a machinist who values stability, technical challenge, supportive leadership, and the opportunity to help develop junior machinists while remaining actively involved in hands-on production.

• Set up, program when required, and operate manual and CNC mills, lathes, routers, grinders, and related equipment for composite tooling and hardware components.
• Interpret engineering drawings, CAD models, work instructions, blueprints, and GD&T requirements to machine complex parts to tight aerospace tolerances.
• Monitor machining processes, inspect finished and in-process parts with precision measuring tools, and make adjustments to maintain dimensional accuracy.
• Train, mentor, and guide apprentice and junior machinists on machining best practices, safety, equipment use, and quality expectations.
• Troubleshoot machining issues and collaborate with engineering and manufacturing teams to improve tool paths, fixturing, work holding, and process efficiency.
• Maintain an organized, safe, and efficient machine shop environment using 5S, lean manufacturing, and continuous improvement principles.

• Direct hire opportunity.
• Salary range: $125,000 to $140,000 per year.
• Location:
  
  Santa Ana, CA.

• Lead hands-on machining operations for high-precision aerospace components and tooling.
• Support setup, operation, troubleshooting, and process optimization for manual and CNC equipment.
• Mentor junior machinists and help maintain quality, safety, and production standards.
• Partner with production, engineering, and operations teams to resolve workflow, tooling, and machining challenges.
• Must meet ITAR compliance requirements.
• Aerospace manufacturing experience is required.
• 5 to 10 years of machining experience in a similar high-precision manufacturing role.
• Strong proficiency with manual and CNC machinery, including mills, lathes, routers, and grinders.
• Experience with HAAS, Fadal, or similar CNC controls is preferred for required role success.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, blueprints, CAD models, work instructions, and GD&T.
• Skilled in using precision measuring instruments, including micrometers, calipers, dial indicators, and height gauges.
• Strong knowledge of machining practices, materials, CNC operations, and tight-tolerance production requirements.
• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Technical training or certifications in machining or CNC operations preferred.
• Strong mechanical aptitude, problem-solving ability, communication skills, and leadership presence on the shop floor.
• Ability to work in a machine shop environment with exposure to noise, lubricants, and composite dust while using required PPE.

• Composite tooling or composite manufacturing experience.
• Aerospace and defense industry experience with high-precision components or tooling.
• Experience machining aluminum, steel, and composite tooling board.
• Prior experience assisting with fixture and tooling development for custom molds or production hardware.
• Lean manufacturing, 5S, or continuous improvement experience.

The Know Your Rights poster is available here: https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-_Know Your Rights
6.12.pdf

The pay transparency policy is available here: https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/ofccp/pdf/pay-transp_%.pdf

We are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact your staffing representative who will reach out to our HR team.

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