Toolmaker Lead for Aerospace

Regal Rexnord • Simi Valley, CA

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The Toolmaker Lead performs lead duties in the tool-room manufacturing machining area and coordinates the day-to-day operations of a group of employees. The role involves leading and directing the team, assigning jobs, monitoring progress and work accuracy, directing efforts, and providing technical guidance on complex issues. The Lead also produces and machines work in the area.

The role requires setting up, operating, and adjusting CNC Proto-Trak mill machines and manual toolroom equipment such as mills, lathes, presses, and saws. The Toolmaker Lead works from drawings, sketches, concepts, and written or verbal instructions to machine and fabricate tools, dies, fixtures, and production parts. They interpret blueprints and GD&T requirements to produce aerospace components from raw bars, castings, and forgings, using CNC milling, turning, grinding, and assembly equipment. The role also involves extensive knowledge of materials and measurement techniques used in aerospace manufacturing, and modifying established tooling to support manufacturing improvements or product changes.

The Lead reports to the Production Manufacturing Manager. The role is fully onsite. The stated pay range is $35 to $52 per hour, depending on experience and other factors.

Requirements

• At least 10 years of experience with all phases of CNC Proto-Trak CNC mill, conventional mill, and lathe work.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Strong aptitude in mathematics.
• Ability to set up, operate, and adjust CNC Proto-Trak mill machines and manual toolroom equipment, including mills, lathes, presses, and saws.
• Ability to work from drawings, sketches, concepts, and written or verbal instructions to machine and fabricate tools, dies, fixtures, and production parts.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints and quality requirements, with strong knowledge of GD&T.
• Knowledge of metals and measurement techniques used in aerospace manufacturing.
• Skill using indicators, gages, and plate inspection methods for fixture pickup, first-article inspection, and in-process inspection of precision-machined parts.
• Ability to maintain close tolerances within .0005 inches for IDs and ODs, roundness, concentricity, and squareness.
• Understanding of machine-tool accuracies, fixture offsets, and tool offsets.
• Knowledge of cutting-tool feeds, speeds, and tool life for aerospace hard turning or milling.
• Ability to follow verbal instructions and communicate positively with employees and all levels of management.
• Ability to lift a maximum of 50 pounds; assistance is required for loads over 25 pounds.
• Must meet applicable federal export-control restrictions, including qualifying as a U.S. Person or otherwise qualifying for a license permitting the candidate to hold the position.

Nice To Haves

• CNC lathe, mill, and grinding experience.
• Prior fixture-making experience.
• Experience with conventional manual support equipment such as saws, presses, and surface grinders.
• Experience with AS9100, 5S, Lean, and Six Sigma.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate the day-to-day operations of a group of employees in the tool-room machining area.
• Assign jobs, monitor and review progress and work accuracy, direct team efforts, and provide technical guidance on complex issues.
• Produce and machine work in the tool-room area.
• Fabricate fixtures and plan sequences of operations using blueprints, sketches, models, or specifications.
• Coordinate with management, manufacturing engineering, customer service, and others to meet customer demand and improve department efficiency.
• Maintain a culture of accountability.
• Ensure jobs run on schedule in the work cell.
• Schedule the sequence of orders and the cell’s workload.
• Complete setups and operate equipment without assistance.
• Manage all phases of part-operation setup to achieve process first-article acceptance.
• Conduct test runs with completed tools or dies, verify parts meet specifications, and make adjustments as needed.
• Identify and recommend process improvements that reduce part-quality variation.
• Continuously improve processes and procedures and eliminate waste.
• Modify established tooling to facilitate manufacturing improvements or product changes.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage
• Health Savings Account, Health Care Flexible Spending Account, and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
• Paid time off and holidays
• 401(k) retirement plan with matching employer contributions
• Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment insurance
• Paid leaves
• Tuition assistance

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: High school or GED