Machine Shop Lead

Firefly Aerospace•Briggs, TX

About The Position

Firefly Aerospace is seeking a Machine Shop Lead to support daily operations in its machine shop, which serves the company’s space and rocket manufacturing programs. The role provides floor-level leadership and technical guidance to machinists across multiple manufacturing cells, coordinates daily production work, and helps ensure manufacturing priorities and schedules are met. The lead monitors production progress and machine utilization, identifies issues that may affect delivery, and supports machinists with machining processes, setups, tooling, and equipment problems. The role also promotes safe, quality-focused work practices; accurate production documentation; and continuous improvement in setup reduction, cycle time, quality, and productivity. It works with machinists, programmers, quality personnel, and management, and communicates production status and outstanding issues across shifts. Candidates must have at least eight years of CNC machine shop experience and advanced knowledge of CNC machining, programs, G-code, engineering drawings, GD&T, setups, tooling, and inspection requirements. Prior leadership experience is preferred. Experience with specified CNC equipment and aerospace or other high-precision manufacturing, as well as training machinists and lean methods, is desired. The job requires U.S. work authorization consistent with applicable space technology export regulations.

Requirements

At least 8 years of experience in a CNC machine shop environment.
Advanced understanding of CNC machining processes, including milling, turning, and multi-axis operations.
Ability to read, interpret, and troubleshoot CNC programs and G-code.
Advanced understanding of engineering drawings, geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T), and precision inspection requirements.
Working knowledge of Mazak, Okuma, Fanuc, and other CNC machine controllers.
Strong understanding of machine setups, work holding, tooling selection, and machining best practices.
Ability to identify manufacturing inefficiencies and implement practical process improvements.
Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work effectively with machinists, programmers, quality personnel, and management.
Ability to prioritize work, manage competing production demands, and maintain accountability in a fast-paced environment.
Strong communication, organizational, and leadership skills.
Demonstrated commitment to safety, quality, productivity, and on-time delivery.
U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain required U.S. Department of State authorizations, to comply with space technology export regulations.

Nice To Haves

Previous experience in a lead machinist, team lead, or manufacturing leadership role.
Experience operating or supporting Mazak, Okuma, and DMG MORI CNC equipment.
Experience with 3-axis, 4-axis, and 5-axis milling and multi-axis turning operations.
Experience in aerospace manufacturing or another high-precision manufacturing environment.
Experience training and developing machinists across varying skill levels.
Working knowledge of lean manufacturing, 5S, and continuous improvement methodologies.

Responsibilities

Lead and support daily machine shop operations in a fast-paced aerospace manufacturing environment.
Coordinate daily production activities to align with the production schedule and manufacturing priorities.
Provide floor-level leadership, technical guidance, and support to machinists across multiple manufacturing cells.
Monitor production progress, machine utilization, and operational efficiency to keep jobs on schedule.
Identify and communicate production constraints, equipment issues, material shortages, and other delivery obstacles.
Ensure machinists follow approved manufacturing processes, work instructions, setup documentation, and controlled programs.
Verify operators are prepared before machining, including having the required tooling, fixtures, programs, and work order information.
Help troubleshoot machining processes, setups, tooling issues, and equipment problems.
Drive continuous improvement focused on setup reduction, cycle time optimization, quality, and productivity.
Promote accountability for workmanship, equipment care, documentation accuracy, and adherence to processes.
Participate in Root Cause and Corrective Action investigations involving nonconformances, machining errors, and process failures; help identify root causes, develop corrective actions, and verify effectiveness.
Ensure manufacturing work orders, operation tracking, and production documentation are completed accurately.
Maintain effective shift-to-shift communication through detailed production pass-downs, including completed operations, work order status, and outstanding issues.
Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work environment and ensure compliance with EHS requirements.
Communicate daily production performance, operational concerns, and improvement opportunities to machine shop management.