Director of Engineering

Director of Engineering – Aerospace Precision Manufacturing

Location: Bristol, CT

Industry: Aerospace Precision Manufacturing

Job Type: Full-Time, Direct Hire

Salary: $145,000–$165,000 per year

Benefits: Comprehensive Benefits Package

Position Overview

• We are seeking an experienced Director of Engineering to lead engineering and CNC programming activities for an established aerospace precision manufacturing operation in Bristol, Connecticut.
• This leadership position is ideal for a highly experienced CNC machining professional with 10 years of advanced CNC milling programming experience using Mastercam, strong hands-on machining knowledge, and a proven ability to lead engineering projects, optimize manufacturing processes, and support business growth.
• The Director of Engineering will work closely with senior leadership, Manufacturing, Quality, customers, and suppliers to ensure complex aerospace components are manufactured efficiently, cost-effectively, and in compliance with customer specifications and quality standards.
  
  

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as a key member of the senior leadership team, contributing to business strategy, manufacturing objectives, resource planning, and organizational growth.
• Lead CNC milling programming activities using Mastercam, particularly for complex precision-machined components.
• Develop and optimize CNC machining processes to improve productivity, quality, efficiency, and cost effectiveness.
• Design, build, and select fixtures, tooling, and workholding solutions for precision machining operations.
• Determine cutting tools, feeds, speeds, machining strategies, and tool paths.
• Prepare operation sheets, work instructions, setup documentation, and other technical information required by CNC operators.
• Oversee engineering projects and programming assignments to ensure accurate, timely completion.
• Collaborate with Quality and Manufacturing teams to develop practical quality control plans and ensure customer requirements are consistently met.
• Lead root cause analysis, troubleshooting, and corrective action initiatives related to manufacturing and quality issues.
• Establish processes to ensure operators have the required CNC programs, tooling, fixtures, documentation, and inspection equipment before production begins.
• Improve work order closeout processes and ensure production feedback is captured to improve future manufacturing standards.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives, including Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, and Statistical Process Control (SPC).
• Assist with customer quotations, manufacturing cost evaluations, and process planning.
• Communicate with customers and suppliers regarding technical requirements, manufacturing processes, and engineering matters.
• Lead engineering meetings to review new and existing jobs, machining strategies, tooling, fixturing, tool paths, and inspection requirements.
• Participate in daily management meetings, provide project updates, and help resolve production challenges.
• Support compliance with AS9100 quality management systems, company procedures, safety policies, and housekeeping standards.
• Evaluate new CNC machines, manufacturing equipment, software, and emerging machining technologies.
• Develop and implement training programs to strengthen employees' CNC programming and engineering capabilities.
  
  

Required Qualifications

• 10 years of experience in CNC milling programming, with demonstrated advanced proficiency in Mastercam.
• Strong hands-on experience setting up and operating CNC milling machines.
• Demonstrated expertise in CNC machining strategies, tool path development, cutting tool selection, feeds and speeds, and process optimization.
• Experience designing, building, or selecting fixtures and workholding solutions.
• Proficiency interpreting and working with customer-provided or internally developed solid models.
• Ability to develop technical documentation, including setup sheets, operation sheets, and work instructions.
• Strong understanding of precision manufacturing processes and machining complex components.
• Demonstrated ability to lead engineering projects, coordinate cross-functional teams, and manage priorities.
• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work effectively with machine operators, management, customers, and suppliers.
• Strong attention to detail, integrity, accountability, teamwork, and a commitment to continuous improvement.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience programming CNC lathes using relevant CAM software.
• Experience in aerospace precision manufacturing.
• Familiarity with AS9100 quality management systems.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, SPC, root cause analysis, and corrective action methodologies.
• Experience supporting complex machining projects, manufacturing quotations, and customer technical reviews.
• Previous experience training or mentoring CNC programmers, machinists, or engineering personnel.
  
  

What We Offer

• Competitive annual salary of $145,000–$165,000, depending on experience and qualifications.
• Full-time, direct-hire employment.
• Comprehensive benefits package.
• A senior leadership opportunity within a precision manufacturing environment.
• The ability to influence manufacturing strategy, engineering performance, process improvements, and organizational growth.
• Opportunities to mentor employees and develop advanced CNC programming capabilities across the organization.
  
  

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a hands-on engineering leader who combines exceptional Mastercam CNC milling programming skills with strong machining knowledge, practical problem-solving abilities, and the leadership skills needed to improve manufacturing performance. This individual enjoys working collaboratively, developing talent, and helping a precision manufacturing business achieve its quality, delivery, and growth objectives.

Interested candidates: Apply with your updated resume highlighting your Mastercam programming experience, CNC milling setup and operation expertise, fixture design experience, and engineering

Skills: leadership,milling,customer,manufacturing,management,aerospace,projects,cnc,mastercam,communication,machining