Machine Shop Lead

About Sikky & XGen Manufacturing

Sikky Manufacturing and XGen Manufacturing operate under one roof as a powerhouse of precision engineering, advanced CNC machining, and American craftsmanship. While Sikky leads the world in elite, high-performance automotive components, XGen delivers aerospace-level, custom-contract machining for defense, tech, and industrial applications. Driven by rapid growth and ongoing investment in state-of-the-art machinery, we are seeking a hands-on Machine Shop Lead to take ownership of floor operations, mentor our team, and help build the foundation for our expanding machining department.

Role Summary

The Machine Shop Lead balances shop floor supervision with technical execution. You will oversee daily workflows, optimize production schedules, and troubleshoot complex setups on CNC mills and lathes while ensuring quality standards across both performance automotive and tight-tolerance defense/industrial projects.

Responsibilities

Department Leadership & Strategy

• Lead daily work assignments, delegate floor operations, and balance machine capacities to hit production deadlines.
• Partner directly with the Production Manager on schedule optimization, process improvements, and future machine tool investments.
• Provide ongoing coaching, feedback, and skill development to machinists and operators to build a collaborative, high-performance team culture.
• Participate in performance reviews and assist in onboarding and growing new shop talent.

Technical Execution & R&D

• Set up, adjust, and operate complex CNC mills and lathes for high-precision batch runs and prototype parts.
• Collaborate closely with CNC Programmers and Engineering to refine part processes, improve cycle times, and optimize NC code.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for CNC machine maintenance, repair technicians, and tooling vendors.
• Support R&D initiatives for new Sikky product development and XGen contract manufacturing specs.

Operations & Quality Control

• Inspect first-article and production parts against CAD files and tight engineering prints.
• Monitor consumable inventories (tooling, inserts, raw stock) and coordinate needs with procurement.
• Enforce safety protocols and company SOPs, and maintain a clean, organized work environment.

Qualifications

• Experience: 5+ years of hands-on experience in a precision CNC machine shop environment.
• Leadership: Proven ability to lead, delegate, and mentor floor technicians.
• Technical Mastery: Deep knowledge of multi-axis CNC mill/lathe setup, tool offset compensation, speeds/feeds, and blueprint reading.
• Industry Preference: Background or passion for automotive racing, defense, or aerospace manufacturing is highly valued.
• Education: Technical school degree, completed apprenticeship, or equivalent practical experience.
• Physical Requirements: Ability to lift up to 75 lbs unassisted.

About the company

Operating under one roof in Baltimore, MD, Sikky Manufacturing and Xgen Manufacturing are premier names in precision, American-made fabrication and assembly.

• Sikky is globally recognized for designing and manufacturing elite, high-performance automotive parts (like our industry-leading LS engine swap kits, shifters, and suspension components) built to aerospace-level standards.
• Xgen is our rapidly growing contract manufacturing division, delivering high-tolerance, custom components and assemblies for clients in the tech, industrial, commercial, and defense sectors.

We are a team of builders, creators, and problem-solvers. We bypass the corporate red tape—if you have a great work ethic and pride yourself on doing flawless work, you will find a highly supportive, fast-paced, and clean facility where your work is valued and noticed from day one.