MANUFACTURING ENGINEER

Summary of Position Mission

The Manufacturing Engineer plays an important role in the growth and development of manufacturing of Century Arms. The individual will be responsible for working with our New Product Development (NPD) group in firearms assembly, precision machining, and regulated manufacturing as well as our Sustainment Engineering group for CNC Mills, Lathes, EDM, and other similar equipment to produce consistent precision components and assemblies. The position requires an individual who will be hands on and will use their technical ability, critical thinking skills, and leverage industry techniques to develop or modify fixtures to bring parts from raw material state (billet, castings, forgings, extrusions) and assemble to finished part.

Responsibilities

• Develop, document, and validate assembly processes for firearms (e.g., barrel installation, trigger groups, bolt carrier groups, slide frame/mating).
• Create and maintain PFMEAS, control plans, work instructions, and process flow diagrams for gun assembly and sub-assembly.
• Implement lean manufacturing techniques (5S, value stream mapping, SMED) to reduce cycle times and scrap in firearm production.
• Apply proper machining strategies, toolpaths, cutting parameters, and tooling to optimize machining processes and achieve desired outcomes.
• Utilize knowledge of CNC machining techniques, including milling, turning, drilling, and grinding, to generate efficient and reliable programs for complex geometry and tight tolerances.
• Design tooling, fixtures, and work holding solutions for repeatable, high precision assembly, CNC machining operations, stability, and alignment.
• Analyze and optimize machining processes to improve cycle times, reduce scrap rates, and increase throughput.
• Conduct time studies and process simulations to identify opportunities for process improvement and efficiency gains.
• Implement Lean manufacturing principles and best practices to cut waste, streamline workflows, and enhance productivity in operations and assemblies.
• Collaborate with quality assurance personnel to address non-conformances, implement corrective actions, and drive continuous improvement in product quality.
• Perform dimensional inspections using precision measurement tools, such as micrometers, calipers, and CMMs (Coordinate Measuring Machines), to verify part dimensions and geometric tolerances.
• Provide training and technical support to CNC machinists and operators on program setup, operation, and troubleshooting.
• Foster a culture of continuous learning and skill development within the machining team, promoting knowledge sharing and cross-training to enhance capabilities and versatility.
• Adhere to all employment policies/safety policies/practices required by law/established by Company.
• Wear all necessary Personal Protective Equipment as always directed by Company.
• Immediately report any maintenance and/or safety issues to supervisor.
• Maintain respect, courtesy, a positive attitude and professionalism towards all co-workers and the Company.
• Actively participate and support the 5S process by maintaining a clean workstation and department.
• Other duties assigned as required.

Qualifications & Knowledge Required

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. These requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Industrial, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 3+ years of experience in CNC programming roles, with ability in CAM software (e.g., HSMWorks, Mastercam, Gibbs CAM, Edge CAM).
• 3+ years of experience in precision assembly manufacturing (firearms, aerospace, or medical devices preferred).
• Hands-on experience with firearm assembly (AR-15/AR-10, 1911, Glock-pattern, or bolt action platforms).
• Strong understanding of CNC machining principles, including G-code programming, toolpath generation, and machining parameters optimization.
• Operate a variety of CNC machine control types and to expect machine movement when proving out new programs.
• Knowledge of machining processes and materials, including metal cutting, tooling choice, and workpiece fixturing.
• Familiarity with CAD/CAM integration, CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, Autodesk Inventor), and GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing).
• Excellent critical thinking skills and the ability to troubleshoot technical issues related to CNC programming, machining, and tooling.
• Effective communication and people skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and communicate technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing principles is highly desirable.
• General computer skills and familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite preferred.
• General mechanical ability is preferred.
• Knowledge of and experience with hand tools
• Adhere to essential functions of position such as attendance and timeliness.
• Ability to accept and follow directions.