Lead Process Engineer

Summary Engineering associated with the manufacturing process at the Wilmington, NC site. Impacts departmental operations and is responsible for planning and execution within the manufacturing discipline. This role is an excellent opportunity for a mid-career engineer who wants to make a visible impact at the site level while expanding technical depth and leadership capability in aerospace manufacturing. In Wilmington, this position offers the chance to work closely with shop operations, influence how high-precision aerospace hardware is produced, and help strengthen a culture of continuous improvement through FLIGHT DECK. The role provides meaningful autonomy within established functional practices and procedures, with opportunities to grow expertise in advanced machining, CNC process development, tooling strategy, and cross-functional manufacturing execution.

Roles and Responsibilities: Lead and improve manufacturing processes for  high-precision aerospace components  at the  Wilmington, NC site , helping drive strong performance in safety, quality, delivery, and cost. Apply experience in  advanced machining and manufacturing , including  CNC programming , process optimization,  tool selection , and  fixture design  for complex aerospace hardware. Use  CAM software , including  NX and TeamCenter , to develop and support robust manufacturing methods and production-ready processes. Create  visual work instructions  for CNC operators and support  machine SOPs  that enable consistent, safe, and efficient execution on the shop floor. Define and control the  production process , including tooling and equipment, and validate design specifications and shop floor application of new products, tools, or equipment. Partner closely with Wilmington site m anufacturing, operations, and support teams to solve problems quickly and implement practical process improvements that matter on the floor. Build in-depth knowledge of the manufacturing discipline and use technical expertise and prior experience to execute strategy and improve process capability. Use understanding of key business drivers and how the work of the local team integrates with other teams to make sound decisions and deliver results. Apply judgment to propose different solutions outside set parameters, using technical skills, analytic thinking, and collaboration with internal partners to solve straightforward and moderately complex manufacturing challenges. Work within  FLIGHT DECK  to support standard work, daily management, problem solving, and continuous improvement across the Wilmington manufacturing operation. Grow as a strong individual contributor or early people leader, with opportunities to provide informal guidance, support talent development, and expand leadership scope over time.

Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university (or a high school diploma / GED with a minimum of 4 years of experience in manufacturing experience)  +  Minimum of 3 years of manufacturing experience Desired Characteristics Strong oral and written communication skills. Demonstrated ability to analyze and resolve problems. Ability to document, plan, market, and execute programs. Established project management skills. Passion for  advanced manufacturing  and machining process ownership in a hands-on aerospace production environment. Interest in  career growth  through increased technical responsibility, broader site impact, and progression into technical or people leadership roles. Experience working in a structured continuous improvement environment and using lean operating principles such as those embedded in  FLIGHT DECK . Ability to work effectively across engineering, operations, and shop teams in a site-focused manufacturing environment where collaboration and responsiveness matter. This role is based in Wilmington, NC, where engineers work closely with manufacturing teams to translate