Job Description

***AT THIS POINT WE ARE NOT WORKING WITH RECRUITERS***

About Us:

United Gear Machine Company is a trusted leader in ultra-precision machining, specializing in gears and splines with incredibly tight tolerances—often producing parts others in the industry simply cannot. We serve some of the most advanced aerospace and space companies in the world, providing mission-critical components with accuracy, speed, and reliability.

Our Machine Complete division delivers fully machined, turnkey parts, managing every aspect of the build from blueprint through final inspection. As this segment of our business grows, we’re looking for a driven and versatile leader to take it to the next level.

Position Overview:

We are seeking a Director Manufacturing– Machine Complete to lead the day-to-day operations, engineering development, and strategic growth of this division. This is not a general plant management role—it is a focused business unit leadership position with responsibility for a growing and increasingly critical segment of the company.

You’ll be responsible for running the Machine Complete division as a self-contained unit within United Gear , managing its own workflow, personnel, projects, and customer relationships from start to finish. This includes oversight of the tool room , as well as inspectors and QA personnel assigned to Machine Complete work . The role reports directly to the President of United Gear and works closely with the Production Manager of the Gear and Spline division , operating at the same level in the organizational structure.

This is a roll-up-your-sleeves leadership position, ideal for someone who thrives in a dynamic, hands-on environment. You’ll be accountable for process development, project execution, order tracking, and workflow coordination across internal teams and external vendors. You’ll also contribute directly to production, packaging, and delivery efforts when needed.

Key Responsibilities:

Division & Team Leadership:

• Operate the Machine Complete division as a self-directed business unit within the company.
• Lead a cross-functional team that includes machinists, tool room staff, inspectors, and quality assurance personnel.
• Ensure collaboration and alignment with the Production Manager of the Gear and Spline division to support overall company success.
• Report directly to the President, providing strategic updates, operational KPIs, and growth plans for the division.

Manufacturing & Process Development:

• Develop and refine manufacturing processes to ensure efficiency, quality, and cost-effectiveness.
• Lead and contribute to the creation of operation (op) sheets and manufacturing documentation to guide production teams.
• Develop fixture designs and tooling concepts for gear and spline operations.
• Work closely with machinists, engineers, and quality inspectors to ensure parts meet blueprint and customer requirements.
• Evaluate new development parts for manufacturability and future program viability.
• Document lessons learned after each project for future efficiency gains.

Project & Workflow Management:

• Own Machine Complete projects from kickoff through final delivery.
• Develop and manage project timelines, Gantt charts, and production schedules.
• Track orders and provide real-time status updates to customers and internal teams.
• Be physically present on the shop floor—driving progress, solving bottlenecks, and pitching in to move, package, or deliver parts as needed.
• Support the coordination of all internal machining operations and outside processes (e.g., heat treating, coatings, etc.).
• Participate in planning and kickoff meetings to align engineering, production, and quality.

Quality Assurance & Compliance:

• Oversee all quality inspections and QA activity related to Machine Complete work.
• Ensure all parts meet stringent aerospace and space industry standards.
• Partner with the quality department to address non-conformances and implement corrective actions.
• Drive a “first-time-right” quality culture across the team.

Customer & Supplier Communication:

• Serve as a main point of contact for customers on project updates, schedules, and technical discussions.
• Interface with external vendors to coordinate outside processing and ensure timely delivery of outsourced operations.

Sales & Business Development Support:

• Collaborate closely with the Sales and Business Development Manager , providing technical feedback and process insights to support quoting and project planning.
• Offer input on lead times, production methods, and manufacturability to ensure quotes are both competitive and executable.
• Participate in select customer or prospect meetings when technical support is needed (but not responsible for outreach or quote creation).
• Attend trade shows, customer visits, and other industry-facing events to support the Sales and Business Development Manager.
• Engage actively with relevant trade organizations to stay current with industry trends and represent United Gear’s capabilities.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or Industrial Engineering preferred.
• 5+ years of experience in precision machining, manufacturing, and project management.
• Strong working knowledge of CNC machining, blueprint reading, GD&T, gear/spline operations, tooling, and fixture design.
• Proven experience managing workflows across internal teams and external vendors.
• Familiarity with aerospace and space industry standards and quality systems.
• Proficiency with ERP systems, Excel, and project tracking tools such as Gantt charts.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills.
• Willingness to wear multiple hats—whether it’s guiding the team, jumping in to troubleshoot issues, packaging, or even making deliveries when needed.

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