Machine Shop Lead & Set up Technician

Description

Job Title: Machine shop lead/Setup Technician

Location: Santee, CA

Department: Production

Reports To: Operations Director

FLSA Status: Exempt

Job purpose

The Machine Shop Lead is responsible for overseeing all daily machine shop operations to ensure maximum efficiency, productivity, quality, and safety. This position serves as the primary technical resource within the machine shop, ensuring machine programs, tooling, fixtures, setups, and machining processes are accurate and optimized. The Machine Shop Lead is expected to provide hands-on leadership, support machinists and operators, improve cycle times, reduce downtime, and ensure all machines are operating at peak performance.

This position requires a strong presence on the shop floor and ownership of machine shop operations. The Machine Shop Lead is expected to be the first person in the machine shop at the start of the day and the last person to leave, ensuring all production activities are properly supported and completed.

Duties and responsibilities

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Machine Shop Leadership

• Provide daily leadership and direction to machine shop personnel.
• Maintain a continuous presence on the shop floor to support operators and troubleshoot issues.
• Ensure all machine shop activities align with production schedules and company objectives.
• Ensure all jobs are completed accurately in GS and that operations are properly closed out with complete and accurate documentation
• Ensure In-Process Inspection Sheets and all required manufacturing documentation are fully completed and reviewed before work is transferred to the next operation.
• Verify that all production transactions, labor reporting, and operational completions are entered correctly in GS before jobs move to the next stage
• Monitor machine utilization and production performance throughout the shift.
• Coordinate priorities and workflow to maximize productivity.
• Programming and Setup Verification
• Verify the accuracy of CNC programs prior to production.
• Review and validate machine setups before releasing jobs to production.
• Confirm correct tooling, fixtures, work offsets, and machine parameters are being utilized.
• Ensure programs comply with engineering drawings and manufacturing requirements.
• Identify and correct programming errors or process inefficiencies.

Tooling and Fixture Management

• Verify all required tooling is available, properly maintained, and correctly installed.
• Ensure fixtures are accurate, functional, and optimized for production.
• Recommend tooling improvements to increase productivity and reduce cycle times.
• Work closely with engineering and manufacturing teams to develop improved fixturing solutions.

Continuous Improvement & Efficiency in Manufacturing

• Analyze machine cycle times and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Develop and implement process improvements that increase efficiency and reduce waste.
• Reduce machine downtime through proactive troubleshooting and preventive actions.
• Support lean manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Track and report productivity improvements and cost-saving opportunities.
• Technical Support and Troubleshooting
• Serve as the primary technical resource for machine operators and setup personnel.
• Diagnose and resolve machining, tooling, programming, and quality issues.
• Assist with machine startup, setup changes, and production challenges.
• Support maintenance personnel when machine-related issues affect production.

Production and Quality

• Ensure parts are produced according to specifications, quality standards, and customer requirements.
• Verify first-piece inspections are completed and approved.
• Monitor production processes to maintain consistency and quality.
• Work closely with Quality Assurance to address nonconformances and corrective actions.
• Continuous improvement implementation and cost savings.
• Operate CNC mill or late as required to ensure production levels are met and utilization is maintained at maximum.

Cross-Functional Support

• Assist other departments when required; however, the primary responsibility remains supporting machine shop operations.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, and Production teams to achieve company goals.
• Support training and development of machine oper