Aerospace Technician (Contract)

Job Responsibilities: Manage the end‑to‑end effort for the development and deployment of new aerospace production processes and equipment in accordance with aviation regulatory and customer requirements (e.g., FAA/EASA, AS9100, NADCAP). Develop planning, programming, and production flow for precision metal aircraft and engine components (e.g., structural parts, landing gear, engine hardware, brackets). Validate CNC programs for aerospace parts in an offline virtual environment, ensuring correct geometry, toolpaths, and collision‑free machining for complex 5‑axis operations. Identify, design, and implement tooling and fixturing solutions for aircraft components, ensuring repeatability, rigidity, and compliance with aviation quality standards. Create, maintain, and control process documentation (routers, operation sheets, setup instructions, work instructions) to meet aerospace configuration control and traceability requirements. Collaborate with Quality Engineers to develop gauging, inspection plans, and process control systems (SPC, FAI, control plans) aligned with AS9102 and other aerospace quality standards. Troubleshoot and drive continuous improvement of aviation production processes, focusing on capability, yield, cost, on‑time delivery, and special process compliance (e.g., heat treatment, surface treatment). Develop and support paperless shop‑floor documentation systems for aerospace manufacturing (e.g., digital work instructions, DNC, e‑signatures, electronic traceability). Assist production in the prove‑out, first article machining, and debugging of new aerospace machining processes, supporting FAI and customer approvals. Follow prescribed work rules, aviation safety standards, and EHS requirements in a high‑reliability manufacturing environment. Take ownership of project goals and milestones to ensure successful introduction of new aerospace products and processes into production. Job Requirements: Degree in an Engineering discipline (Mechanical, Manufacturing, Materials, or Aerospace preferred). At least 5 years of relevant experience in precision machining or manufacturing, ideally within the aerospace/aviation industry. Strong knowledge of CNC machines and tools (3‑, 4‑, and 5‑axis machining centers, turning centers), including their design, capabilities, and applications for aviation components. Proficient in ANSI Y14.5 / GD&T, blueprint reading of aerospace drawings, and CNC programming using G‑Codes, M‑Codes, and CAD/CAM systems for complex contoured and tight‑tolerance parts. Knowledge of aerospace‑grade tooling and fixturing concepts and standards, including high‑precision, high‑rigidity solutions for thin‑wall and hard‑to‑machine alloys (e.g., titanium, Inconel, aluminum). Demonstrated high level of attention to detail, suitable for flight‑critical and safety‑critical components. Proven ability to develop and manage manufacturing projects from concept and process design through industrialization, FAI, and full‑rate production. Ability to be flexible and adapt to changing priorities in a dynamic aviation production environment (e.g., customer changes, rate ramps, new aircraft programs). Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills to quickly resolve manufacturing and quality issues affecting aerospace hardware. Experience with metrology standards and equipment (CMM, laser trackers, surface finish testers, air gauges), including support for FAI and periodic inspection per aerospace requirements.