Principal Manufacturing Engineer - Machining

About the role

BAE Systems, a leading defense contractor and Fortune 500 Company, is seeking a Principal Manufacturing Engineer - Machining to join our Naval weapon systems team in Louisville, Kentucky. The Principal Manufacturing Engineer - Machining will be one of the leaders in machining innovation across the Production Value Stream and will be at the forefront of problem solving and resolution to technical production barriers.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic technical direction and guidance on complex projects, influencing technical decisions and ensuring alignment with business goals.
• Work with cross-functional teams, including design, quality, and production, to ensure seamless integration of machining processes.
• Develop and optimize new machining processes, improve existing ones, and create necessary tooling and fixtures to improve efficiency, quality, and safety.
• Identify new or additional equipment needs related to existing or new product manufacture.
• Evaluate new or used equipment to determine benefits and return on investment, ability to maintain the physical and dimensional requirements of components, assemblies and products, and ability to meet safety and ergonomic requirements.
• Prepare BOE's and appropriations for approvals and administer spending of budgeted funding for tooling, fixtures, and equipment.
• Monitor machine performances and work with Maintenance & Operations to coordinate preventative maintenance schedules and tooling & equipment calibration.
• Identify and resolve complex technical issues related to machining processes, equipment, and product quality.
• Provide technical support to machinists & shop personnel, Operations, and Scheduling.
• Work with Quality Engineering to implement and maintain quality control measures throughout the machining process, including monitoring, periodic, and final inspections.
• Create and maintain documentation for routers & work instructions, tooling & equipment specifications, and engineering changes.
• Create and maintain adequate documentation for analysis research and historical records related to machining processes.
• Collaborate with Design, Quality, and Operations to resolve manufacturing issues.
• Support training and development of shop and floor personnel in machining best practices.

Requirements

• B.S. degree in Manufacturing, Mechanical, or Industrial Engineering, or related technical discipline or overall equivalent experience.
• Proficiency in using Siemens NX software for design & modeling of fixtures, components & parts, and connected to machine programming (highly preferred).
• Experience with Vericut or other machining simulation software.
• Strong knowledge of CNC machining (Lathes, Turning, Milling, Hobbing, Routers, Cutters, Grinding, Drilling, EDM, Machine Centers), manual machining, and related equipment, tooling & fixturing.
• Strong familiarity with GD&T, blueprint reading, and machine tolerances.
• Experience with MRP type systems and shop floor data collection.
• Knowledge of materials and metallurgy relevant to machining operations.
• Ability to communicate effectively with technical and non-technical audiences, both verbally and in writing.
• Knowledge of quality control procedures, inspection requirements, and relevant industry standards.
• Ability to plan, execute, and manage complex projects, ensuring they are completed successfully on-time and with high-quality results.
• Strong problem-solving, priority setting, team engagement, communication, and project management skills.
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite products (SharePoint, Outlook, Word, Excel, Project, PowerPoint, Visio, etc.).

Preferred Qualifications

• Defense Contracting Experience.
• 7+ years in a machine and manufacturing operation/environment.
• Excellent time management, interpersonal, and leadership skills.
• Experience with the programming of multiple head configurations.
• Experience with the programming of complex 3, 4, 5 axis mills, and multi-axis vertical & horizontal lathes.
• Directing the creation of ROM's, BOE, and quoting of equipment & tooling.
• Professional Certifications (PMP, CQE, Six Sigma, ISO, Problem Solving, etc.).
• Program/Project Management (PMP highly favored).
• Experience in utilizing Lean manufacturing methods to reduce costs & improve quality.
• Experience in value stream mapping, Visio, and the layout of machining operations.

Pay

Full-Time Salary Range: $107,359 - $182,510. Individual salaries are determined by a variety of factors including, but not limited to: business considerations, local market conditions, and internal equity, as well as candidate qualifications, such as skills, education, and experience.

Benefits

• Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Health savings accounts.
• 401(k) savings plan.
• Disability coverage.
• Life and accident insurance.
• Employee assistance program and legal plan.
• Perks including discounts on home, auto, and pet insurance.
• Paid time off, paid holidays, and other types of leave, including paid parental, military, bereavement, and applicable federal and state sick leave.
• Company recognition program to receive monetary or non-monetary recognition awards.
• Other incentives may be available based on position level and/or job specifics.

Schedule

9/80 schedule with every other Friday off.

About BAE Systems Platforms & Services

BAE Systems, Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of BAE Systems plc, an international defense, aerospace, and security company which delivers a full range of products and services for air, land, and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions, and customer support services. The Platforms & Services (P&S) sector under BAE Systems, Inc. focuses on armored combat vehicles, naval guns, missile launchers, and ship repair. Our employees take pride in the work they do and why they do it, building products to protect the lives of those who serve.