Machine Shop Lead

Precision. Pride. Performance.

At Applied Aerospace & Defense, we manufacture complex aerospace and defense products where precision matters. But what we build is only part of who we are. How we work matters just as much.

We're looking for an experienced Lead CNC Machinist who knows how to make difficult parts—and knows how to help other machinists get better at making them too.

This is not a desk-based leadership position. It's a hands-on working Lead role for someone who wants to stay connected to the machines while becoming a technical leader within our Machine Shop.

At Applied Aerospace and Defense in White Salmon we value a balanced work/life culture:

• work a 4-day work week - Four 10 Hour shifts (Monday thru Thursday) - we will work the occasional Friday or Weekends when production requires it, but we do everything we can to give people time to enjoy the PNW!
• Full Medical, Dental, Vision and Life Insurance.
• PTO Accrual up to 120 hours.
• 10 Paid Holidays
• Ancillary benefits:
  Hospital Indemnity, Accident Insurance, Critical Care, Identity Theft and Legal Insurance.

means doing the work right. We pay attention to the details, understand the requirements, solve problems, and don't accept "close enough" when our customers are counting on us.

means ownership. We care about the quality of our work, our workplace, and the people beside us. We help each other succeed, speak up when something isn't right, and take responsibility for the part we play.

means delivering results and continuing to get better. We solve problems instead of working around them, look for better ways to do the job, and understand that individual excellence matters most when it makes the entire team stronger.

For a Lead CNC Machinist, those aren't just words on a wall. We expect you to model them.

You'll set up and operate CNC equipment to manufacture complex aerospace components, tooling, and fixtures to demanding specifications.

• Perform complex CNC setups and machining operations.
• Read and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and GD&T.
• Determine tooling, work holding, machining sequences, and setup strategies.
• Support program prove-out and first-part production.
• Perform precision measurements and verify dimensional conformance.
• Troubleshoot tooling, setup, dimensional, and machining problems.
• Work closely with CNC Programming, Engineering, and Quality to solve difficult manufacturing challenges.

Great machinists develop more than parts—they develop other machinists.

• Serve as a technical resource for the Machine Shop.
• Help coordinate daily machining priorities.
• Train and mentor less-experienced machinists.
• Support difficult setups and troubleshooting.
• Share machining knowledge and proven practices.
• Help establish expectations for craftsmanship, quality, safety, and accountability.
• Lead through your technical ability, judgment, consistency, and example.

We aren't looking for someone who is satisfied because "that's how we've always done it."

• Reduce setup and cycle time.
• Improve machine utilization.
• Reduce scrap and rework.
• Improve tooling and work holding.
• Solve recurring machining problems.
• Standardize successful machining practices.
• Improve production flow.
• Develop the capability of the entire Machine Shop.

• 5+ years of progressive CNC machining experience.
• Advanced CNC setup and machining capability.
• Experience producing complex, tight-tolerance components.
• Strong blueprint and GD&T interpretation skills.
• Advanced knowledge of tooling,…