Sr. Engineer- Fabrication CadCam

The Sr. Manufacturing Engineer – Fabrication/CadCam Lead provides senior-level technical leadership on the production floor, with primary ownership of CAD/CAM programming, CNC and manual machining operations, plasma cutting, press brake fabrication, welding, and related manufacturing processes. This role drives process development, tooling optimization, and continuous improvement across the shop floor. The ideal candidate combines deep hands-on fabrication expertise with the technical depth to support quality, efficiency, and safety in a high-performance defense manufacturing environment.

CAD/CAM Programming & Design

• Develop, maintain, and optimize CNC programs using CAD/CAM software (e.g., Mastercam, SolidWorks CAM, Fusion 360, or equivalent).
• Translate engineering drawings and customer specifications into manufacturing-ready programs and toolpaths.
• Maintain organized program libraries and revision-controlled documentation.

Plasma Cutting Operations

• Program and operate CNC plasma cutting tables; optimize cut parameters for material types and thicknesses.

Vertical Milling & Machining

• Develop and optimize programming for vertical milling center (VMC) operations, including setup and CNC programming.

Press Brake Operations & Metal Fabrication

• Develop bend programs, tooling setups, and back-gauge sequences for press brake operations.
• Support layout and fabrication of weldments, enclosures, brackets, and structural components.

Welding & Weld Fabrication

• Collaborate with quality and welding engineer on weld joint design, pre/post-weld treatment, and inspection criteria.

Process Engineering & Continuous Improvement

• Develop and maintain standard work instructions, process sheets, and operator training materials.
• Evaluate and recommend new equipment, tooling, and technology investments.

Quality, Safety & Compliance

• Champion a safe work environment; conduct hazard assessments and enforce PPE and lockout/tagout procedures.
• Support ISO, AS9100, or other quality management system requirements as applicable.
• Collaborate with quality engineering on PPAP, FMEA, control plans, and customer corrective actions.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Technology, or related field — OR equivalent combination of education and hands-on experience.
• 5+ years of progressive manufacturing engineering experience in a metal fabrication or machining environment.
• 2+ years in a lead engineering role.
• Proficiency reading and interpreting engineering drawings, GD&T, and weld symbols.
• Working knowledge of materials — mild steel, stainless, aluminum, and related alloys.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with ERP/MRP systems (SAP, JobBOSS, Epicor, or similar) for work order and BOM management.
• Familiarity with robotic or automated welding systems (Lincoln Electric, Miller, ESAB, or similar).
• Lean manufacturing or Six Sigma certification (Green Belt or higher).
• Knowledge of sheet metal design for manufacturability (DFM) principles.
• CAD/CAM software proficiency (Mastercam, Fusion 360, SolidWorks CAM, or similar).

ND Defense is an Equal Opportunity Employer including Veteran and disability.