Manufacturing Engineering Trainee Machinist-to-Industrial-Engineer Career Track Precision Machining of Defense / Military Components Full-Time • On-Site • Entry-Level with Defined Growth Path • ITAR/Defense Environment Starting Salary $52,000/year • Growth to $100,000+ as You Advance

Position Summary We are seeking a motivated individual who wants to build a career in precision machining and grow into an industrial / manufacturing engineering role. This is a hands-on development position: you will start on the shop floor learning CNC machining, inspection, and our quality systems, then progressively take on process engineering, tooling, and continuous-improvement responsibilities. Our shop produces complex, tight-tolerance components for defense and military customers, where traceability, documentation, and quality are non-negotiable. The right candidate is mechanically curious, detail-driven, and eager to learn the engineering side of manufacturing while keeping their hands on real parts.

What You'll Do Phase 1 – Build the Foundation (Shop Floor) • Learn to set up and operate CNC machining centers and lathes under the guidance of experienced machinists. • Read and interpret engineering drawings, GD&T, and work instructions. • Perform in-process and first-article inspection using calipers, micrometers, height gages, CMM, and optical comparators. • Deburr, clean, and prepare finished parts to print, including cosmetic and dimensional requirements. • Follow material handling and traceability procedures for controlled defense materials. Phase 2 – Grow Into Engineering Support • Assist in developing and refining CNC programs, tooling selection, and fixture design. • Learn industry-standard CAD/CAM software — Mastercam, Siemens NX, and SOLIDWORKS — with on-the-job training provided. • Support process documentation: routers, work instructions, and setup sheets. • Participate in quality activities such as PFMEA, control plans, PPAP, FAI (AS9102), and Gage R&R studies. • Help analyze scrap, rework, and cycle-time data to identify continuous-improvement opportunities. • Contribute to lean / 5S initiatives and shop-floor layout improvements. Phase 3 – Own Engineering Responsibility • Drive process improvement projects from problem statement through validation and standardization. • Apply statistical methods (SPC, Cpk/Ppk) to monitor and improve process capability. • Lead root-cause / corrective-action efforts on quality escapes. • Collaborate with quality and program management on customer requirements and defense compliance (DFARS, CMMC readiness).

What You Bring • High school diploma or equivalent; mechanical aptitude and a strong desire to learn machining and engineering. • Comfortable with basic math (algebra, geometry, trigonometry) as applied to part dimensions and tooling. • Detail-oriented with the discipline to follow documented procedures exactly. • Reliable, safety-conscious, and able to work on-site full time in a manufacturing environment. • U.S. Person status (U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident) as required for ITAR / defense-controlled work. Compensation & Growth Starting salary is $52,000 per year, with structured increases tied to skill development, certifications, and added responsibility as you progress through the career track. As you grow into a full manufacturing / industrial engineering role, total compensation advances to over $100,000 per year. We reward people who invest in their craft and take on more. Career Progression Path This role follows a clearly defined ladder. Each step builds on the last, combining hands-on machining skill with growing engineering responsibility: → Step 1: CNC Machine Operator – learn to run CNC machines and produce parts to print → Step 2: Junior CNC Setup → Step 3: CNC Setup → Step 4: Senior CNC Setup → Step 5: Junior CNC Programmer → Step 6: CNC Programmer → Step 7: Senior CNC Programmer → Step 8: Junior Process Engineer → Step 9: Process Engineer → Step 10: Industrial Engineer Advancement is based on demonstrated skill, reliability, and readiness — motivated people can move through the steps as quickly as they earn it. Why This Role This is a genuine career path, not just a job. We invest in people who want to learn the craft of machining and then apply it as engineers. You'll work on demanding, mission-critical parts, gain mentorship from seasoned machinists and engineers, and develop a rare combination of practical shop knowledge and engineering skill that makes for a highly capable manufacturing engineer. As you grow, your responsibilities, title, and compensation grow with you. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment is contingent on the ability to access ITAR-controlled technical data, which may require verification of U.S. Person status.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $52,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Relocation assistance
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person