Torchora
Back to Home

Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for CNC Fabrication Lead

💰 $ - $

ManufacturingCNCFabricationLeadershipEngineering

🎯 Role Definition

The CNC Fabrication Lead oversees day-to-day CNC machining and fabrication activities on the shop floor, acting as the technical and operational anchor between production teams, engineering, and quality. This role includes CNC programming review and optimization, machine setup and tooling strategy, production scheduling, training and development of machinists and operators, root-cause problem solving, and continuous improvement initiatives to reduce cycle time and scrap while improving process capability and on-time delivery. The ideal candidate combines strong hands-on machining experience (mill/turn, multi-axis), in-depth knowledge of CAD/CAM and G‑code, leadership and coaching skills, and a strong safety and quality mindset (GD&T, inspection, ISO/AS standards).

Keywords: CNC Fabrication Lead, CNC programming, CAD/CAM, G-code, multi-axis machining, tooling & fixturing, blueprint reading, GD&T, ISO 9001, Lean manufacturing, cycle time reduction, shop floor leadership.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Senior CNC Machinist / CNC Programmer
  • CNC Supervisor / Lead Operator
  • Manufacturing Engineer (entry-level to mid-level with shop experience)

Advancement To:

  • CNC Production Manager / Manufacturing Manager
  • Operations Manager / Plant Manager
  • CNC Engineering Manager / Process Engineering Lead

Lateral Moves:

  • Process Engineer (CNC/process optimization)
  • Quality Engineer (inspection systems and process control)
  • Tooling/Fixture Designer or CAM Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Lead and coordinate daily CNC fabrication operations across milling, turning, and multi-axis centers to meet production schedules, ensure on-time delivery, and maintain safety and quality standards.
  • Develop, review and optimize CNC programs using CAM software (Mastercam, Fusion 360, Siemens NX or equivalent) and edit G‑code to improve cycle times, tool life, and part accuracy while minimizing scrap.
  • Perform and approve complex machine setups, fixturing design, tool selection, and first-article runs; document setup sheets and process parameters for repeatability.
  • Supervise, mentor and train a team of machinists and operators in safe machine operation, best practices for setup and run, preventative maintenance checks, and adherence to shop procedures.
  • Implement and enforce quality controls: read and interpret engineering drawings, apply GD&T, monitor critical dimensions, and coordinate in-process and final inspections with QA using CMM, calipers, micrometers and gauges.
  • Troubleshoot production issues, lead root-cause analysis (5 Whys, Fishbone), and drive corrective actions to eliminate recurring defects and improve process capability (Cp/Cpk).
  • Manage tooling inventory, tool life programs, and vendor relationships for cutters, inserts, fixtures and cutting fluids to balance cost and performance.
  • Collaborate with manufacturing engineering and production planning to develop routing, establish standard work, estimate cycle times and ensure efficient machine utilization and material flow.
  • Drive continuous improvement initiatives (Lean, Kaizen, SMED) to reduce setup times, increase throughput, lower work-in-progress, and optimize floor layout.
  • Ensure machines are maintained and calibrated, develop preventative maintenance schedules, and coordinate repair activities to minimize downtime and extend asset life.
  • Support quoting and estimating by providing machining time/capacity input, tooling needs and fixturing considerations for new parts and prototype runs.
  • Oversee compliance with health, safety and environmental regulations on the shop floor, enforce lockout/tagout, PPE, and safe material handling practices.
  • Lead new product introductions (NPI) and prototype fabrication by validating process plans, qualifying fixtures and documenting lessons learned for transfer to production.
  • Maintain and update process documentation including setup sheets, work instructions, process FMEAs, and routing changes in the ERP/MES system.
  • Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) such as OEE, on-time delivery, scrap rate, and tool utilization; present performance metrics to management and recommend improvement plans.
  • Coordinate with quality engineering to implement corrective actions from audits, customer non-conformances or supplier issues, and support ISO/AS certification activities.
  • Program and validate CAM strategies for complex geometries, multi-axis part orientation, and high-efficiency roughing/finishing cycles to meet surface finish and tolerance requirements.
  • Evaluate and specify new machine tools, automation solutions (robotic part loading/unloading), and ancillary equipment to improve capacity and reduce manual handling.
  • Mentor and develop succession plans for the machining team, conduct performance reviews, and recruit skilled machinists and programmers when needed.
  • Ensure proper documentation and traceability for lot control, material certificates, and serialized components as required by customers and regulatory standards.
  • Collaborate with procurement to qualify suppliers of raw materials and subcontract machining, ensuring parts meet print and process requirements before release to production.

Secondary Functions

  • Support engineering with design for manufacturability (DFM) feedback to reduce machining complexity and lower part cost.
  • Participate in cross-functional continuous improvement events, pilot process changes, and standardization projects across multiple shifts.
  • Assist in implementation and maintenance of ERP/MES routing and work order accuracy; ensure production data is captured correctly for reporting.
  • Provide technical support for customer visits, design reviews, and supplier audits; prepare sample parts and process documentation on request.
  • Conduct safety and skills training sessions, maintain training records, and help enforce certification requirements for specialized machinery.
  • Maintain a clean, organized shop environment and promote 5S principles to improve safety, efficiency and quality.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Advanced CNC programming and editing (G‑code) for milling, turning and multi-axis machines.
  • Proficiency with CAM software (e.g., Mastercam, Fusion 360, Siemens NX, GibbsCAM) and experience importing/exporting CAD models (SolidWorks, Solid Edge, CATIA).
  • Strong blueprint reading and geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) expertise.
  • Hands-on experience with setup, fixturing, tooling selection, and HSM strategies to optimize cycle time and surface finish.
  • Knowledge of inspection techniques and tools: CMM programming/use, calipers, micrometers, height gauges and gauge blocks.
  • Experience with PLC basics, machine control troubleshooting (Fanuc, Siemens, Heidenhain), and spindle/tool offsets.
  • Familiarity with Lean manufacturing tools: Kaizen, SMED, 5S, value stream mapping and OEE analysis.
  • Experience using ERP/MES systems for work orders, routing, and material traceability.
  • Understanding of metallurgical properties, cutting parameters, coolant handling, and chip evacuation strategies.
  • Preventive maintenance planning for CNC equipment and experience coordinating vendor service/repairs.
  • Knowledge of quality management systems (ISO 9001, AS9100) and documentation control.
  • Ability to perform cycle time studies, capacity planning and tooling cost analysis for quoting and continuous improvement.
  • Experience with robotic automation or lights-out machining is strongly beneficial.
  • Familiarity with safety regulations and lockout/tagout procedures relevant to machining environments.

Soft Skills

  • Strong leadership and people management skills; ability to coach, motivate and mentor multi-shift teams.
  • Excellent problem-solving, analytical thinking and decision-making under production constraints.
  • Clear verbal and written communication skills for cross-functional collaboration with engineering, quality, procurement and customers.
  • Time management and prioritization skills; ability to balance daily production demands with longer-term process improvements.
  • Attention to detail and commitment to quality and continuous learning.
  • Adaptability to changing production requirements and comfort with technology adoption and process changes.
  • Customer-focused mindset with the ability to translate customer requirements into shop-floor action.
  • Facilitation skills for leading Kaizen events, troubleshooting sessions and training workshops.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Associate degree in Machining Technology, Manufacturing Technology, or related technical diploma; or equivalent combination of education and hands-on experience.

Preferred Education:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Industrial Technology.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Manufacturing Technology
  • Industrial Engineering
  • Applied Machine Tool Technology
  • CNC Programming & CAD/CAM

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 5–10 years of progressive experience in CNC machining, with at least 2–4 years in a lead/supervisory or senior programmer role.

Preferred:

  • 7+ years of CNC machining experience including mill/turn and multi-axis environments, proven CAM programming track record, demonstrated leadership of shop-floor teams, and experience implementing Lean/continuous improvement projects. Familiarity with aerospace, automotive, medical or heavy equipment manufacturing standards is a plus.
Explore More Careers