Machine Shop Manager

Eleven Recruiting is searching for a Machine Shop Manager to take full ownership of a CNC machine shop for a growing aerospace & defense manufacturer — a low-volume, high-mix job shop machining composite tooling/molds and metal hardware components (aluminum and steel) to tolerances of .002–.010. This is a hands-on leadership role for an experienced machinist who is equally fluent in CAM programming, setups, quoting, and quality control. You will run the shop end to end — building quoting, material planning, and production scheduling; assessing manufacturability and technical risk; and driving execution across programming, setups, tooling, inspection, and on-time delivery — all while mentoring the next generation of machinists and operators.

Responsibilities:

• Take full ownership of end-to-end machine shop production across a low-volume/high-mix job shop; monitor KPIs and drive improvements across quality, throughput, cost, and delivery.
• Serve as the primary authority for shop operations — production planning, scheduling, capacity planning, resource allocation, and tooling — across a floor of 5-axis routers and 3-, 4-, and 5-axis CNC mills.
• Review quote requests and build accurate labor, material, tooling, and machine-time estimates for composite tooling/molds and metal hardware components; assess manufacturability, technical risk, and no-bid or alternate-solution opportunities.
• Select the right materials, tooling, fixtures, machining methods, and workholding for each job.
• Generate CAM toolpaths and programs using Mastercam and/or NX for 3-, 4-, and 5-axis CNC equipment, with edits made at the machine as needed — this is a CAM-generated workflow, not hand-written G&M code.
• Set up and operate manual and CNC mills, lathes, routers, and grinders as needed — particularly for complex, high-tolerance (.002?–.010?), prototype, or production parts.
• Ensure parts are built to customer specifications, engineering drawings, GD&T, and quality requirements.
• Perform and oversee in-process and final inspection using calipers, micrometers, dial indicators, height gauges, CMMs, and other precision equipment; identify nonconformances and direct or perform rework.
• Maintain quality, traceability, inspection, and production documentation in line with company and aerospace industry protocols.
• Identify, source, and procure tooling, fixtures, materials, and equipment.
• Own ERP configuration and transactions — work order releases, BOMs, routers, labor tracking, daily balancing, and quality records.
• Supervise, develop, and mentor machinists and CNC operators; build a culture of quality, accountability, safety, and continuous improvement.
• Keep the shop clean, organized, and safe (5S), and partner with leadership on capability, capacity, throughput, automation, and cost-saving initiatives.

Qualifications:
Required

• Hands-on experience across both composite tooling/mold manufacturing and CNC mill/lathe machining — this role spans both disciplines.
• 7+ years of machining experience across manual and CNC equipment, including 3-, 4-, and 5-axis CNC mill work.
• Strong CAM programming and machine setup experience with Mastercam and/or NX — 5+ years hands-on minimum; this is a firm requirement on this floor, not a nice-to-have.
• Demonstrated ability to build and own quoting, material planning, and production scheduling.
• Proven experience assessing manufacturability and technical risk, developing accurate labor/material estimates, and making no-bid or alternate-solution calls.
• Prior leadership, supervisory, training, or mentoring experience in a machine shop.
• Strong command of GD&T, engineering drawings, machining methods, tooling, fixturing, workholding, and inspection practices to aerospace tolerances (.002–.010).
• Proficiency with precision inspection equipment (calipers, micrometers, dial indicators, height gauges, CMMs) and with ERP/MRP or job-tracking systems; advanced Excel.
• Familiarity with aerospace quality systems — inspection, traceability, and documentation.

Preferred

• Prior experience in a low-volume/high-mix job shop rather than repeat production runs.
• Direct experience machining both composite tooling board and metal (aluminum/steel) in the same shop.
• Familiarity with Thermwood or DMS router controls specifically, in addition to HAAS.
• Prior responsibility for departmental budgets, procurement, tooling inventory, or capital equipment recommendations.
• Experience implementing automation, lean, or other initiatives to improve machining output and efficiency.

Salary: $120,000 - $135,000
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