Engineering Manager - Aerospace Blades & Airfoils

DRT Holdings, LLC • Winsted, CT

12d • Onsite

About The Position

DRT Aerospace is seeking a hands-on Engineering Manager to lead Manufacturing Engineering at our Winsted facility, a growing aerospace operation specializing in complex blade, airfoil, and rotating engine component machining. This is a high-impact leadership role for an engineer who combines strong technical expertise with a passion for developing people and improving manufacturing performance. You will lead a team of Manufacturing Engineers and CNC Programmers while driving process capability, automation, quality, productivity, and new product introduction initiatives across advanced multi-axis machining operations.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering, or related field preferred.
• 7+ years of progressive Manufacturing Engineering or advanced machining experience.
• 3+ years of engineering leadership experience.
• Strong background in CNC machining, process development, manufacturing optimization, and problem-solving.
• Experience with PFMEA, Control Plans, SPC, Gage R&R, RCCA, NPI, FAI, GD&T, AS9100, Lean Manufacturing, and Six Sigma methodologies.

Nice To Haves

• Aerospace blade, airfoil, vane, blisk/IBR, impeller, or rotating component manufacturing.
• 5-axis CNC machining and advanced manufacturing processes.
• NX CAM, Mastercam, NREC, VERICUT, or comparable CAM and simulation platforms.
• Siemens SINUMERIK and FANUC controls.
• Tooling and fixturing for complex free-form or thin-wall components.
• Probing, automated measurement, palletized manufacturing, and lights-out operation.
• Titanium, Inconel, Waspaloy, Rene alloys, and other nickel-based superalloys.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop Manufacturing Engineers, CNC Programmers, and technical staff supporting aerospace blade production.
• Establish the manufacturing engineering strategy for aerospace blades, airfoils, vanes, blisks, impellers, and other rotating engine components.
• Provide technical ownership across the manufacturing value stream, from machining strategy and NC programming through final production release.
• Build engineering capability through coaching, technical reviews, standard work, and knowledge sharing.
• Provide technical leadership for multi-axis CNC machining, NC programming, tooling, fixturing, workholding, probing, and process optimization.
• Support and improve HAMUEL HSTM blade-machining platforms and Siemens SINUMERIK-controlled processes.
• Optimize Matsuura MAM72 5-axis machining systems, including FANUC controls, palletized production, and unattended manufacturing.
• Lead programming and process development using NX CAM, Mastercam, NREC, VERICUT, or similar advanced manufacturing software.
• Apply advanced 5-axis machining concepts including tool center point control, work offsets, probing strategies, coordinate transformation, and error compensation.
• Improve first-pass yield, process capability, throughput, machine utilization, quality, and on-time delivery.
• Develop and maintain PFMEA, Control Plans, Process Maps, Gage R&R, SPC, and other process-control systems.
• Lead root cause and corrective action activities to permanently resolve manufacturing issues.
• Use CMM, ZEISS Optical, Blue Light, and other inspection data to identify trends and improve process performance.
• Reduce scrap, rework, cycle time, and process variation through data-driven continuous improvement.
• Lead New Product Introduction (NPI), First Article Inspection (FAI), process qualification, manufacturing readiness, and production ramp activities.
• Develop manufacturing plans, routings, work instructions, tooling strategies, and process controls.
• Lead automation, machine-upgrade, probing, and capital equipment projects.
• Expand automated and lights-out manufacturing capabilities where appropriate.
• Support quoting, cost estimating, industrialization, and production readiness efforts for new and transferred programs.
• Partner closely with Quality, Operations, Materials, and customers to resolve technical and manufacturing challenges.
• Ensure compliance with AS9100, GD&T requirements, customer specifications, and aerospace quality standards.
• Maintain configuration control for CNC programs, manufacturing documentation, tooling definitions, setup instructions, and process revisions.

Benefits

• Investing in cutting-edge machining technology, automation, and engineering talent
• Significant visibility and influence across manufacturing strategy, process development, automation, capital investments, and operational performance
• Opportunity to lead a highly skilled engineering team
• Opportunity to work with advanced aerospace manufacturing technologies
• Opportunity to influence automation and manufacturing innovation
• Opportunity to partner directly with operations and executive leadership
• Opportunity to make a measurable impact on quality, productivity, and customer success
• Grow your career within a company committed to technical excellence and continuous improvement

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager