Overview

We are seeking a hands-on Senior Manufacturing Engineer with deep CNC machining expertise to support high-volume automotive manufacturing operations. This role is responsible for optimizing machining processes, improving throughput and quality, leading CNC programming initiatives, and driving continuous improvement on the production floor.

The ideal candidate is a working engineer who enjoys solving problems at the machine level, improving manufacturing performance, and partnering with operations, quality, and maintenance teams to deliver measurable results.

Key Responsibilities

• Optimize machining processes to improve OEE, reduce scrap, and increase throughput
• Develop, modify, validate, and troubleshoot CNC programs for lathes and milling machines
• Lead toolpath development and cutting strategy optimization for automotive components
• Identify and implement tooling, inserts, tool holders, and workholding solutions
• Troubleshoot machining issues including:
  • Cycle time inefficiencies
  • Tool wear
  • Chatter
  • Dimensional variation
• Support first-piece inspections and process capability studies (Cp/Cpk)
• Collaborate closely with Quality, Operations, and Maintenance teams
• Drive Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives
• Develop and maintain process documentation, work instructions, and manufacturing standards
• Support shop floor operations through hands-on engineering and technical problem solving

Required Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or equivalent hands-on manufacturing experience

Experience

• Minimum 5 years of CNC programming and machining experience within automotive manufacturing
• Experience supporting high-volume manufacturing environments
• Hands-on shop floor engineering and troubleshooting experience

Technical Skills

• CNC programming and validation for:
  • CNC lathes
  • Vertical machining centers
  • Horizontal machining centers
• Experience with Fuji and Mori Seiki machining centers preferred
• Proficiency with:
  • Mastercam or similar CAM software
  • AutoCAD
• Strong understanding of:
  • GD&T
  • Blueprint reading
  • Tolerance stack-ups
  • SPC
  • Process capability studies (Cp/Cpk)
• Experience using:
  • CMMs
  • Zoller tool presetters
  • Measurement systems
• Knowledge of:
  • Carbide tooling
  • Inserts
  • Tool holders
• Experience with:
  • Hydraulic fixtures
  • Pneumatic fixtures
  • Workholding design

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in high-volume automotive production environments
• Multi-axis machining experience
• ERP or MES system experience
• Lean Manufacturing certification
• Six Sigma certification
• Experience leading manufacturing process improvement initiatives

Compensation

$95–$105 per hour DOE

Work Details

• Location: Bolingbrook, IL
• Employment Type: Contract
• Shift: 1st Shift
• Industry: Automotive Manufacturing
• Relocation Assistance: Not Available
• Visa Sponsorship: Not Available

Why This Opportunity Stands Out

• Competitive hourly compensation
• Opportunity to work on high-volume automotive manufacturing operations
• Hands-on CNC programming, machining, and process optimization work
• Significant impact on throughput, quality, and operational performance
• Collaborative environment working directly with production, quality, and maintenance teams
• Ideal for engineers who enjoy solving real-world manufacturing challenges on the shop floor