Senior Manufacturing Engineer - Machining and Fabrication

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At RTX, the world's largest aerospace and defense company, 185,000 great minds are united by purpose and inspired to make a difference solving the world’s most complex problems. With our three market leading businesses, world-class operations and investments in research and development, we offer capabilities and opportunity no one else can. Together, we push the boundaries of known science and find new ways to connect and protect our world.

Collins Aerospace is a leader in technologically advanced, intelligent solutions that help redefine the aerospace and defense industry. With a comprehensive portfolio and deep technical expertise, we help customers meet the demands of the global market. Join us and help shape the future of aerospace and defense.

The Senior Manufacturing Engineer – Machining and Mech Fab serves as the technical leader responsible for developing, qualifying, and sustaining a high-performing aerospace supply base across the region. This role combines advanced manufacturing engineering expertise with supplier sourcing, industrialization, APQP leadership, and operational excellence to ensure suppliers can consistently deliver high-quality aerospace components on time and at cost.

Acting as the primary manufacturing Subject Matter Expert (SME), the individual evaluates and develops supplier capabilities, supports sourcing and RFQ activities, drives production readiness, and leads technical problem-solving across machining, fabrication, assembly, and special process operations. The role requires extensive hands-on knowledge of CNC machining, programming, tooling, inspection methodologies, process control, APQP, PPAP, FAI, and aerospace quality requirements.

The successful candidate possesses the ability to rapidly assess supplier capability, identify manufacturing risks and opportunities, determine supplier suitability for various work packages, and provide practical technical guidance to achieve first-time-right production. This individual will work closely with suppliers, sourcing, quality, engineering, and program teams to support new product introduction, supplier industrialization, capacity expansion, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Key success factors include supplier qualification and development, manufacturing process optimization, successful production launches, supplier performance improvement, technical issue resolution, and building a robust regional supply chain capable of supporting current and future aerospace business growth.

Supplier Sourcing & Development

·        Identify, evaluate, and qualify new suppliers capable of supporting aerospace machining, fabrication, and assembly requirements.

·        Conduct supplier capability assessments to determine technical competence, manufacturing maturity, capacity, quality systems, and growth potential.

·        Assess supplier suitability for various aerospace work packages, including complex machined components, fabricated assemblies, and special process requirements.

·        Partner with Collins commodity teams to support supplier selection and strategic regional supplier development initiatives.

·        Lead technical evaluation activities during supplier onboarding and industrialization phases.

·        Manage and support RFQ activities across multiple business units by evaluating supplier manufacturing capabilities, cost drivers, technical risks, and execution readiness.

·        Develop long-term supplier capability roadmaps to support business growth, risk mitigation, and supply chain diversification strategies.

Supplier-Focused Technical Leadership

·        Serve as the primary technical authority for machining and fabrication processes across key global suppliers.

·        Conduct on-site supplier capability assessments, technical deep dives, manufacturing readiness reviews, and production risk evaluations.

·        Provide expert guidance on machining parameters, tooling strategies, fixturing, inspection methods, process control, and manufacturing optimization.

·        Serve as the Subject Matter Expert (SME) for supplier-facing technical discussions and manufacturing issue resolution.

·        Quickly assess manufacturing challenges and provide hands-on support to restore production stability and quality performance.

Advanced Machining, Programming & Fabrication Expertise

·        Lead detailed manufacturability assessments (DFM/A) and influence product design for producibility, cost, and quality.

·        Define and approve complex manufacturing plans for high-precision aerospace components produced from aluminum, titanium, nickel alloys, stainless steel, and other aerospace-grade materials.

·        Possess hands-on knowledge of CNC programming principles, machining processes, cutting tool selection, workholding strategies, and process optimization techniques.

·        Evaluate machining programs, tooling requirements, inspection strategies, and quality control methods to ensure robust manufacturing execution.

·        Support suppliers in establishing optimized process flows, machining strategies, setup reduction initiatives, and error-proofing methods.

·        Identify manufacturing risks early and implement preventive actions to ensure successful production launches.

APQP Leadership & Industrialization Governance
·        Lead Pre-FAI activities with suppliers to verify manufacturing readiness and ensure parts are produced correctly the first time.

·        Ensure suppliers meet manufacturing maturity, process capability, and quality requirements prior to key program milestones.

·        Validate manufacturing processes before formal FAI execution to minimize launch risk and reduce non-conformance.

·        Identify systemic risks and partner with suppliers on long-term corrective and preventive actions.

Supplier Performance Improvement

·        Lead major technical recovery and stabilization efforts at underperforming suppliers.

·        Drive continuous improvement in quality, productivity, takt time, yield, delivery performance, and cost using Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies.

·        Serve as the technical escalation leader for severe supplier manufacturing and quality issues.

·       Develop and execute supplier improvement plans focused on sustainable operational excellence.

Critical Issue Resolution

·        Lead root cause analysis (RCCA/8D) for machining defects, dimensional instability, material issues, special process failures, and chronic yield problems.

·        Facilitate cross-functional collaboration between suppliers, quality, engineering, sourcing, and program management teams.

·        Provide rapid troubleshooting support for machining, programming, tooling, inspection, and manufacturing process issues.

·        Ensure corrective actions are effectively implemented, verified, and sustained.

Documentation, Compliance & Change Management

·        Oversee supplier compliance with aerospace standards (AS9100, AS9102) and internal manufacturing governance requirements.

·        Guide suppliers through engineering change implementation, configuration control, and manufacturing process changes.

·        Prepare technical reports, supplier risk assessments, capability evaluations, and executive-level status updates.

·        Support supplier audits, qualification reviews, and customer-facing manufacturing readiness activities.

Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field.

Knowledge and Skill: 

Advanced knowledge of CNC machining, mechanical fabrication, assembly processes, and aerospace manufacturing methods.
Strong understanding of CNC programming principles, tooling selection, fixturing, workholding, machining strategies, and process optimization.
Expertise in manufacturing process development, industrialization, and producibility (DFM/A).
In-depth knowledge of APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, Control Plans, MSA, SPC, Process Capability Studies, and AS9102 First Article Inspection (FAI) requirements.
Strong understanding of aerospace quality systems and standards, including AS9100, NADCAP, special processes, and configuration management.
Proven experience in supplier capability assessment, supplier development, manufacturing readiness reviews, and production risk management.
Strong root cause analysis and problem-solving skills using RCCA, 8D, Lean Manufacturing, and Six Sigma methodologies.
Ability to evaluate technical RFQs, assess supplier capabilities, and identify the most suitable suppliers for various aerospace work packages.
Experience interpreting engineering drawings, GD&T, specifications, and customer quality requirements.
Knowledge of inspection methods, metrology, CMM applications, and quality control systems.

Supplier development and relationship management.
Technical leadership and cross-functional collaboration.
Manufacturing troubleshooting and hands-on shop floor support.
Project management and industrialization leadership.
Risk assessment and decision-making.
Effective communication and stakeholder management.
Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities across global supplier networks.

Experience: 

Minimum 10 years of experience in aerospace manufacturing, supplier development, manufacturing engineering, or industrialization.
Demonstrated experience working directly with global suppliers and managing technical manufacturing programs.
Willingness and ability to travel extensively to supplier locations domestically and internationally.

Please ensure the role type defined below is appropriate for your needs before applying to this role. This position is classified as:

Onsite: Employees who are working in Onsite roles will work primarily onsite. This includes all production and maintenance employees, as they are essential to the development of our products.

Hybrid: Employees who are working in Hybrid roles will work regularly both onsite and offsite. Ratio of time working onsite will be determined in partnership with your leader.

Remote: Employees who are working in Remote roles will work primarily offsite (from home). If you live within a reasonable commute of an RTX site with other colleagues you interact with, your manager will discuss whether there is a degree of onsite presence associated with this role.

Candidates will learn more about role type and current site status throughout the recruiting process. For onsite and hybrid roles, commuting to and from the assigned site is the employee’s personal responsibility.

Requires practical knowledge in leading and managing the execution of processes, projects and tactics within one work area.

Typically has broad knowledge and skills within a specific technical or professional discipline with understanding of the impact of work on other areas of the organization.

Typically requires: A University Degree or equivalent experience and minimum 8 years prior relevant experience, or An Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 5 years experience

Engineering/Other Technical Positions: Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and a minimum of 8 years of prior relevant experience unless prohibited by local laws/regulations.

RTX adheres to the principles of equal employment. All qualified applications will be given careful consideration without regard to ethnicity, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation or identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.  

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