Manufacturing Engineer

Job Title: Manufacturing / Programming Engineer – CNC TurningJob Description We are seeking a hands-on Manufacturing / Programming Engineer to support CNC turning and machining operations in a high-mix aerospace, defense, and medical job shop environment. In this role, you take ownership of the entire process from print to production, including modeling, programming, machine prove-out, and process release. You work primarily on the shop floor, bridging engineering intent with real-world machining execution, and play a highly visible role in improving both new and legacy manufacturing processes. Responsibilities Review customer prints and determine the most effective manufacturing process for small horizontal lathe-machined parts.Create or modify 3D models in SolidWorks to support manufacturing and programming needs.Program CNC turning operations in Mastercam, including toolpaths and process strategies for horizontal lathes.Load programs onto CNC machines and personally run and test them to prove out the process.Verify that the program produces conforming parts before releasing the process to production.Work directly on the shop floor, staying closely involved with machines, operators, and production activities.Measure parts using analog measurement tools and confirm whether they are in tolerance, out of tolerance, or require adjustment.Interpret and apply blueprint requirements and GD&T to ensure parts meet dimensional and geometric specifications.Develop and refine turning processes from initial concept through to stable production, including process planning from print to production for both milling and lathe operations.Troubleshoot issues at the machine, adjust programs, and resolve problems quickly with minimal oversight.Program turning work efficiently and independently, optimizing cycle times and process reliability.Support both new work and previously run work, including improving and optimizing legacy programs through Mastercam.Collaborate with ownership and leadership to influence how parts are programmed, proven out, and released to production.Contribute to NPI and first article efforts by developing robust, repeatable processes for new parts.Support continuous improvement initiatives on the shop floor, focusing on practical, hands-on process enhancements. Essential Skills Deep CNC turning programming expertise, preferably with 10 to 15+ years of CNC turning programming experience.Strong hands-on experience in a CNC job shop environment, particularly with high-mix, low-volume work.Proficiency in Mastercam for programming CNC turning operations.Experience using SolidWorks to build or develop models for machining.Working knowledge of G-Code and M-Code and the ability to understand and adjust code at the machine.Horizontal CNC lathe experience, including setup, prove-out, and troubleshooting.Demonstrated ability to perform hands-on machine prove-outs and personally run and test programs.Job shop experience with a strong comfort level on the shop floor and in a practical, hands-on culture.Ability to read and interpret blueprints and apply GD&T requirements to real parts.Competence with analog measurement tools and part verification, including determining good, bad, or out-of-tolerance results.Experience with turning process development and process planning from print to production for both milling and lathe operations.Proven ability to move quickly and efficiently with limited handholding and minimal oversight.Background that bridges engineering and machining execution, such as prior experience as a machinist, CNC setup machinist, or CNC programmer before moving into manufacturing or process engineering.Capability to physically get processes working at the machine rather than relying primarily on documentation or theoretical analysis. Additional Skills & Qualifications Experience in aerospace or medical job shop environments.Background with small-part turning, especially in aluminum and stainless steel.Bar feeder lathe experience in a production or job shop setting.Exposure to 3-, 4-, or 5-axis milling operations.Familiarity with DNC systems for program management and transfer.Experience with tooling and fixture selection for turning and milling operations.Involvement in NPI and first article support activities.Exposure to lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement practices.Experience with lower-volume, higher-complexity parts typical of aerospace, defense, or medical applications.Prior machinist or setup machinist Background, demonstrating strong practical machining skills.Experience improving legacy programs and optimizing older programs through Mastercam.Ability to support both new work introductions and previously run work, balancing development and optimization responsibilities. Work Environment This role is based in a small CNC job shop environment focused on aerospace, defense, and medical manufacturing. The operation is high-mix and low-volume, with a strong emphasis on turning work; approximately 80% of the work flows through the lathe department. Most parts are small and made primarily from aluminum and stainless steel. The culture is practical, hands-on, and heavily shop-floor oriented, with significant direct interaction with machines, operators, and leadership. Normal working hours are typically 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM, although the shop often runs closer to 6:00 AM to 4:30 PM, and overtime is available. The position offers a stable environment in a long-established CNC job shop, direct access to ownership and leadership, a highly visible role with immediate impact, and the opportunity to own real manufacturing outcomes while working on a wide variety of parts rather than repetitive production work. Job Type & Location This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Milford, CT. Pay And Benefits The pay range for this position is $30.00 - $50.00/hr. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave) Workplace Type This is a fully onsite position in Milford,CT. Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Aug 14, 2026. About Actalent Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service. The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law. If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options. San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability. Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. 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