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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for CNC Assembly Lead

💰 $70,000 - $100,000

ManufacturingEngineeringOperations

🎯 Role Definition

The CNC Assembly Lead oversees day-to-day assembly and integration of CNC-machined components into finished assemblies, ensuring precision, quality, on-time delivery, and continuous process improvement. This role combines hands-on technical work (assembly, fixturing, verification) with supervisory responsibilities (scheduling, coaching, troubleshooting, and cross-functional coordination). The ideal candidate has deep experience with CNC machining outputs, blueprint and GD&T interpretation, precision metrology, and proven leadership in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Keywords: CNC Assembly Lead, CNC assembly, precision assembly, G-code, GD&T, CMM, Mastercam, lean manufacturing, ISO 9001, production leadership.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Senior CNC Machinist / CNC Operator with assembly experience
  • Mechanical Assembler with precision machining background
  • Manufacturing Technician experienced in fixtures and inspection

Advancement To:

  • Production Supervisor / Manufacturing Supervisor
  • Manufacturing Engineer or Process Engineer (CNC focus)
  • Operations Manager / Plant Manager

Lateral Moves:

  • Quality Engineer (metrology / inspection focus)
  • Process Improvement / Lean Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Lead, coordinate and execute final assembly of CNC-machined parts into complex electromechanical and precision mechanical assemblies, ensuring conformance to engineering drawings, GD&T callouts, and customer specifications.
  • Supervise a small team of assemblers and technicians on a daily basis: create shift schedules, assign work, monitor productivity, provide coaching and performance feedback to meet production targets.
  • Interpret engineering drawings, bills of materials (BOMs), work instructions and procedure sheets to develop efficient assembly sequences and tooling/fixture requirements.
  • Establish and maintain first-article inspection procedures and run initial builds to validate assembly processes, documenting deviations and corrective actions to ensure repeatable quality.
  • Troubleshoot assembly issues caused by dimensional variation or part non-conformance; coordinate with CNC programmers and machinists to implement corrective machining or tooling changes.
  • Design, modify and maintain assembly fixtures, clamps and custom jigs to support repeatable, high-precision assemblies and reduce cycle time and rework.
  • Coordinate and oversee incoming parts verification, inventory staging, and kitting to ensure production lines have the correct parts, quantities, and traceability before assembly begins.
  • Lead root-cause analysis for assembly-related defects using structured problem-solving methods (5 Whys, Fishbone, 8D), and drive implementation of permanent corrective and preventive actions.
  • Enforce adherence to safety procedures, PPE requirements, lockout/tagout, and ergonomic best practices for all assembly operations to reduce workplace incidents.
  • Collaborate with CNC programming and CAM teams (Mastercam, Fusion 360, or equivalent) to ensure machined features and tolerances meet assembly and functional requirements.
  • Manage first-piece and in-process inspections using precision tools (calipers, micrometers, dial indicators) and coordinate CMM programming and runs when required for complex geometric verification.
  • Drive continuous improvement initiatives (Kaizen, 5S, SMED) in the assembly area to improve throughput, reduce variation, and lower cost-per-part.
  • Maintain production documentation including work instructions, change notices, lot genealogy, and equipment maintenance logs in compliance with ISO 9001 / AS9100 recordkeeping requirements.
  • Communicate production status, quality issues, and schedule risks to production planning, engineering, and customer service teams; escalate critical issues proactively to minimize delivery impact.
  • Train new assemblers and cross-train CNC operators on assembly techniques, inspection methods, and quality requirements to build bench strength and improve flexibility.
  • Perform and document in-process checks and statistical process control (SPC) sampling to monitor key dimensions and assembly characteristics, reporting trends and triggers for corrective action.
  • Manage supplier non-conformance and return-to-vendor processes related to machined components; work with procurement and suppliers to expedite replacements and prevent recurrence.
  • Implement and maintain torque, fastening, adhesive, and sealing processes per engineering specifications; ensure fixtures and fasteners are verified for correct application and calibration.
  • Lead component-level functional testing and final product verification including alignment, rotational balance, leak testing, electrical continuity checks, and subassembly verification where applicable.
  • Participate in new product introductions (NPI) and prototype builds — collaborating with design engineering to define assembly process flows, preferred tolerances, and tooling needs before launch.
  • Optimize labor content, work instructions and cycle time for each assembly operation; prepare accurate labor standards for capacity planning and costing.
  • Maintain and calibrate bench tooling, test equipment, and gauges; coordinate preventative maintenance and calibration scheduling with facilities and quality teams.
  • Ensure traceability for serialized parts and assemblies by maintaining lot codes, serial numbers, and configuration control per customer and regulatory requirements.
  • Support change control processes by evaluating engineering change orders (ECOs) for assembly impact, updating work instructions, and retraining staff as required.

Secondary Functions

  • Assist engineering teams with tolerance stack-up analysis and assembly feasibility during design reviews to reduce downstream assembly issues.
  • Support continuous improvement teams by providing day-to-day feedback from the shop floor and participating in cross-functional Kaizen events.
  • Maintain production metrics dashboards (OEE, yield, scrap, lead-time) and prepare weekly status reports for management.
  • Coordinate with supply chain and receiving to manage critical long-lead items and maintain buffer stock for high-demand assemblies.
  • Coach and mentor junior staff on career development, best practices, and required certifications; promote a culture of quality and continuous learning.
  • Participate in customer or supplier technical reviews and on-site inspections when needed to clarify assembly or quality concerns.
  • Support ERP system updates for work orders, routings, and inventory adjustments to reflect actual assembly processes and consumable usage.
  • Assist in ergonomics assessments and workstation layout updates to improve throughput and reduce operator fatigue or injury.
  • Help prepare costing inputs for quoting by validating labor hours, tooling needs, and scrap rates during RFQ or contract reviews.
  • Perform periodic internal audits to ensure assembly processes comply with company and regulatory quality systems.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Expert interpretation of technical drawings and GD&T for complex assemblies.
  • Hands-on experience with CNC machining outputs and ability to translate machined features into assembly operations.
  • Proficiency with precision measuring tools: micrometers, calipers, height gauges, optical comparators and coordinate measuring machines (CMM).
  • Familiarity with CNC controls and post-processing concepts (Fanuc, Haas, Siemens) to collaborate with CNC operators/programmers.
  • CAM/CAD exposure (Mastercam, Fusion 360, SolidWorks or equivalent) to review tooling and fixture designs.
  • Ability to design, modify and validate assembly fixtures, jigs and custom tooling to improve repeatability.
  • Knowledge of quality systems and standards (ISO 9001, AS9100) and experience with non-conformance and corrective action processes.
  • Experience with statistical process control (SPC), first article inspection (FAI), and sampling plans.
  • Competence in torqueing protocols, fastening methods, adhesives, and sealing techniques used in precision assembly.
  • Strong troubleshooting and root-cause analysis skills (8D, 5 Whys, FMEA experience).
  • Familiarity with ERP systems (SAP, Oracle NetSuite, Epicor) for work orders and inventory control.
  • Understanding of lean manufacturing practices: 5S, Kaizen, SMED, and value stream mapping.
  • Knowledge of product serialization and traceability practices for regulated industries.

Soft Skills

  • Proven leadership and people-management skills — coaching, mentoring, and developing high-performing teams.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication for cross-functional collaboration with engineering, quality, procurement and customers.
  • Strong organizational skills and ability to prioritize multiple projects in a deadline-driven manufacturing environment.
  • Analytical mindset and attention to detail with commitment to delivering defect-free assemblies.
  • Adaptability, resilience, and a continuous improvement mentality; ability to lead change on the shop floor.
  • Customer-focused orientation and the ability to respond diplomatically to customer quality or delivery concerns.
  • Project coordination and time management skills for NPI, tooling rollout, and production ramp-ups.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High school diploma or equivalent plus technical training in manufacturing, machining, or mechatronics; or equivalent hands-on experience.

Preferred Education:

  • Associate degree or technical certificate in Manufacturing Technology, Mechanical Engineering Technology, or related field.
  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or Manufacturing Engineering is a plus for roles with heavier process design and NPI responsibility.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Manufacturing Technology
  • Mechanical Engineering Technology
  • Industrial Engineering
  • CNC Programming / Machining Technology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 3–8+ years in machining and assembly environments with increasing responsibility.

Preferred:

  • 5+ years of hands-on experience with CNC-produced parts and precision assembly.
  • 1–3+ years in a lead or supervisory position coordinating assemblers/technicians.
  • Prior experience supporting NPI, FAI processes, and quality systems (ISO/AS certifications) is strongly preferred.
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