Manufacturing Engineer

Manufacturing Engineer

Reports to: Director of Operations

Location: Denver, CO

Industry: Aerospace & Defense (ITAR‑regulated)

Position Summary:

The Manufacturing Engineer is the process owner for CNC‑machined aerospace components, responsible for quoting, developing, optimizing, and sustaining manufacturing processes that meet customer technical, statutory, and regulatory requirements. This role blends estimating, process engineering, advanced CNC programming, and continuous improvement leadership.

As the company grows, this position may evolve into a Manufacturing Engineering Department Manager overseeing additional engineers and programmers.

About R B Machine, Inc. (EMP Flight Components)

R B Machine, Inc. dba EMP Flight Components is a precision CNC machining and electro‑mechanical assembly manufacturer serving the Commercial and Military Aerospace, Defense, Medical Device, and Semiconductor industries. We are AS9100D compliant, ITAR registered, and trusted by leading OEMs for mission‑critical hardware.

We are a debt‑free company with a long history of stability and job security — even in volatile markets. Our culture is deeply accountable, merit‑driven, and built around craftsmanship, ownership, and continuous improvement. When you become more valuable to us, we reward you.

Engineers who thrive here enjoy:

• Working on complex aerospace and defense components
• Owning processes end‑to‑end
• Being part of a high‑trust, high‑autonomy environment
• Seeing their ideas implemented quickly
• Growing into leadership roles as the company expands

If you want to build advanced manufacturing processes, influence production strategy, and be part of a company that invests in its people, EMP Flight Components is a place where your work truly matters.

Core Responsibilities:

1. Estimating & Quoting (Process Creation + Cost Modeling)

You will own the front‑end engineering that determines whether a job is profitable, manufacturable, and aligned with customer requirements.

· Develop complete manufacturing process plans for new and repeat parts.

· Build accurate quotes by rolling up cycle time, tooling, fixturing, materials, outside services, and labor.

· Evaluate existing repeat‑order programs for economic feasibility and improvement opportunities.

· Quote processes that include outside services such as: chromate, anodize, NDT, primer, paint, heat treatment, and other aerospace finishing requirements.

· Quote electro‑mechanical assembly steps including insert installation, bearing installs, keenserts, and other hardware integration.

· Engage customers in Design for Manufacturability (DFM) discussions to reduce cost, improve quality, and ensure design intent is met.

2. Process Engineering & CNC Programming (Production Readiness)

This is a major portion of the role — not a “plus,” but a core responsibility.

· Own the CNC program management system in alignment with QMS SOPs.

· Program and optimize complex CNC equipment including live‑tooling sub‑spindle lathes, 3‑axis, 4‑axis, and 5‑axis mills.

· Design efficient machining strategies using engineering fundamentals, interpretation of ASMEY14.5 and GD&T, and aerospace machining best practices.

· Create and maintain revision‑controlled programs in designated QMS folders.

· Ensure CMMC‑compliant file transfer using controlled USB drives and secure workflows.

· Develop complete production documentation:

o Setup sheets

o Tool lists

o Job preparation checklists

o BOMs and routers

· Collaborate daily with Production Leadership and Quality Assurance Leadership to ensure processes run safely, efficiently, and predictably.

· Success in this role is measured by how well engineering, production, and quality operate in lock‑step.

3. Project Engineering & Continuous Improvement

Lead internal improvement projects that increase capability, reduce costs, and strengthen operational performance.

· Reprogram and re‑sequence existing jobs to reduce cycle time and improve quality.

· Combine operations where feasible to reduce setups and handling.

· Identify opportunities to onshore outside service steps when economically beneficial.

· Lead tool crib optimization projects to reduce sunk costs and increase tool reusability across part families.

· Improve Kanban systems and ensure cultural adherence.

· Drive cross‑functional problem solving for machining issues, quality defects, and process bottlenecks.

· Maintain strong familiarity with customer specifications, regulatory requirements, and aerospace standards.

CapEx & Technology Advancement (Overarching Responsibility)

· Lead CapEx proposals for new equipment, automation, tooling systems, and process‑improvement technologies.

· Build data‑driven presentations using Excel and PowerPoint.

· Justify investments based on throughput, capability expansion, cost reduction, and quality improvement.

Required Skills & Background:

Technical Skills

· 10+ years of CNC machining and programming experience strongly preferred.

· Deep experience with 3‑axis, 4‑axis, 5‑axis milling and live‑tooling sub‑spindle lathes.

· Strong understanding of machining fundamentals, GD&T, feeds/speeds, tool selection, and fixture design.

· Proficiency with CAD/CAM (SolidWorks, Mastercam, Fusion, etc.).

· Strong Excel skills; ability to build cost models and present data clearly.

· Ability to interpret aerospace specifications, drawings, and regulatory requirements.

Education

· Engineering degree recommended but not required.

· Equivalent experience in machining, CNC programming, or manufacturing engineering is acceptable.

Professional Skills

· Excellent interpersonal and intrapersonal business communication with customers, machinists, production leadership, and quality leadership.

· Ability to work independently with minimal oversight while collaborating as part of a high‑performance team.

· Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of variables in situations where only limited information exists.

· Strong problem‑solving ability in environments with limited information.

· Customer‑facing professionalism and presentation skills.

Physical & Safety Requirements

· Attends work in person, on time, on a regular and reliable basis.

· Completes all tasks in an accurate, complete, and timely manner. Is detail oriented.

· Follows all company policies. Asks questions to clarify if needs more information.

· Follows all safety protocols, helps others follow all safety protocols and alerts upper management to any safety risks that are discovered.

· Physical Demands:

o stand, walk, push, pull, reach overhead, and bend to the floor

o exert 20 to 50 pounds of force occasionally

o exert 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently

o exert up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects

· Visual Acuity: Ability to read or otherwise obtain information from blueprints, computer screens, and precision measuring instruments.

· Working Conditions:

o high noise levels from operating machines

o physical hazards from moving equipment and machine parts

o breathing fumes, dust and mist

o skin exposure to oils and cutting fluid

ITAR Requirement: All employees on the production floor must be U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents (8 U.S.C.1101(a)(20)), or protected individuals (8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)).

Other duties as assigned.

Pay: $90,000.00 - $115,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Education:

• Bachelor's (Preferred)

Ability to Commute:

• Denver, CO 80223 (Required)

Work Location: In person