NPI CNC Process Development Engineer

About the role

As an NPI CNC Process Development Engineer, you will be the bridge between design intent and production reality for new product introductions. Your day begins with a review of fresh prints and models, collaborating with design and quality to shape manufacturable features and tolerances. By midday, you’re programming multi‑axis toolpaths and verifying them in simulation. In the afternoon, you’re on the floor proving out processes, dialing in probing cycles, and mentoring operators to lock down repeatable, efficient, and compliant production.

A day in the life

• Meet with design, quality, and manufacturing teams to assess manufacturability, offer DFM guidance, and align on specs and standards.
• Design workholding and select tooling; develop and optimize toolpaths for 3-, 4-, and 5-axis mills and multi‑axis mill‑turn lathes.
• Verify programs with simulation and verification tools, then execute prove‑outs at the machine, including probing and macro programming.
• Capture best practices in setup sheets, work instructions, and SOPs; train and mentor machinists and setup personnel.
• Lead root‑cause analysis on quality or throughput issues; implement corrective actions and continuous improvement (5S, Six Sigma, Kaizen).
• Continuously evaluate equipment, tooling, and technology to advance NPI capability while meeting safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements.

What you will own

• Development and deployment of robust CNC machining processes (tooling, fixtures, programs) for new products.
• Creation and optimization of CAD/CAM programs that meet blueprint, GD&T (ANSI Y14.5), and customer requirements.
• Productivity improvements that reduce cycle time, eliminate waste, and enhance quality and on‑time delivery.
• Comprehensive process documentation and operator training that ensure repeatability and scale.
• Cross‑functional problem solving and preventive actions to avoid recurrence of manufacturing issues.

Minimum qualifications

• 5+ years in CNC machining and process engineering.
• Extensive hands‑on programming, setup, and operation experience, including probing strategies and macro programming.
• Proficiency with CAD/CAM: SolidWorks CAD, Esprit CAM, Siemens NX CAD/CAM; experience with verification software such as Vericut.
• Deep experience with multi‑axis machining: 3‑, 4‑, and 5‑axis mills and multi‑axis mill‑turn lathes.
• Fluency in reading engineering drawings and specifications; strong GD&T (ANSI Y14.5) capability.
• Hands‑on use of metrology and measurement systems.
• Background in Lean principles and process optimization; demonstrated root‑cause analysis skills.
• Clear communicator and effective collaborator across departments.

Preferred qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in manufacturing engineering, mechanical engineering, or related field.
• ERP/MRP familiarity (preferably Epicor).
• Must be a U.S. citizen.

You should be proficient in

• GD&T
• CNC Programming
• Process Engineering
• Aerospace Manufacturing
• Experience in a Manufacturing Environment

Machines & technologies you’ll use

• CNC Mill (3–4 axis VMC) (Fanuc, Haas, Okuma, Makino, Dmg Mori Seiki)
• CNC Lathe (2–4 axis) (Haas, Okuma, Dmg Mori Seiki)
• CNC Swiss Lathe (Tsugami)
• CAD Software (SolidWorks, Siemens NX, NX CAD (Siemens))
• CAM Software (Esprit, Siemens NX)
• CNC Mill (5+ axis VMC) (Fanuc, Haas, Okuma, Dmg Mori Seiki)
• CNC Lathe (5+ axis) (Okuma, Index, Dmg Mori Seiki)