Machine Shop Lead (Engineering Technician VI)

Machine Shop Lead (ETVI) (EPFAB-2026-25616):

Bowhead seeks a Machine Shop Lead (ETVI) who serves as the Machine Shop Lead for a high-volume fabrication and manufacturing operation supporting U.S. Navy programs. This position is responsible for planning, estimating, coordinating, and supervising machine shop activities while serving as the primary interface between engineering customers, government technical personnel, procurement personnel, and production staff. The successful candidate will provide technical leadership for prototype and production machining projects, ensuring quality, schedule, safety, and customer satisfaction objectives are achieved.

Bowhead offers:

• Engineering Technician VI position pays $56.81 per hour, plus $5.09 per hour for H&W (Health and Welfare)
• A total of 28 paid days off per year. (Described below)
• Paid vacation accrued up to 10 days a year.
• Paid sick leave accrued up to 7 days a year.
• Paid holidays 11 per year.
• Up to $175 for safety boots every two years.
• Up to $5250 for college tuition per year.
• Up to $5250 for training per year.
• Prescription safety glasses are provided yearly.

Job duties include but are not limited to:

• Lead and supervise an average workforce of 25 machinists, welders, fabricators, and maintenance personnel.
• Estimate labor hours, materials, tooling, machine time, and manufacturing processes for prototype and production machined parts.
• Review engineering drawings, models, and technical data packages to determine manufacturing requirements and project feasibility.
• Coordinate daily production activities to ensure customer schedules and priorities are met.
• Interface directly with government engineers, Technical Points of Contact (TPOCs), and customers to discuss project requirements, manufacturing concerns, design improvements, and schedule status.
• Track project estimates, work progress, material status, and completion schedules using Microsoft Excel and other tracking tools.
• Work closely with procurement specialists to ensure materials, tooling, and outside services are ordered and received in a timely manner.
• Provide technical guidance and mentoring to machinists, welders, and junior technicians.
• Recommend manufacturing methods, tooling solutions, and process improvements to enhance quality and efficiency.
• Review and interpret engineering drawings, CAD models, military specifications, and ASME standards.
• Assist customers to ensure their drawings are complete, accurate, and manufacturable.
• Coordinate with safety personnel and enforce all safety policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Conduct routine shop inspections and ensure employees consistently follow established safety protocols.
• Prepare professional correspondence, project updates, estimates, and status reports.
• Participate in meetings with customers, engineers, government representatives, and management personnel.

• Minimum fifteen (15) years of full-time professional experience in machining, fabrication, manufacturing, or engineering technician disciplines.
• Extensive experience operating manual and CNC machine tools, including lathes and milling machines.
• Experience with welding processes including MIG, TIG, and Stick welding is highly desired.
• Ability to estimate labor, materials, tooling, and machine time for complex prototype and production work.
• Demonstrated leadership experience supervising skilled trades personnel in a manufacturing or fabrication environment.
• Advanced knowledge of manufacturing processes, tooling, materials, and fabrication techniques.
• Experience reading and interpreting engineering drawings, technical specifications, and 3D models.
• Working knowledge of CAD/CAM software such as SolidWorks and CAMWorks.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Outlook, Word, and other standard business software.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to write professional emails, reports, estimates, and project status updates.
• Ability to read, write, and communicate effectively in English.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

Desired Qualifications

• Expert knowledge of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T).
• Experience managing drafting projects and reviewing technical drawings for compliance with military specifications and ASME standards.
• Experience supporting Navy, Department of Defense, or government manufacturing operations.
• Experience providing technical feedback to engineering teams regarding manufacturability, material selection, and design improvements.
• Experience training and mentoring lower-level technicians and skilled trades personnel.

Work Environment

This position requires regular work in a manufacturing and fabrication environment with exposure to machine tools, welding operations, lifting equipment, and industrial machinery. The candidate must be able to work safely in accordance with all company and government safety requirements.

Key Competencies

• Leadership and Team Management
• Manufacturing Process Planning
• Cost and Schedule Estimating
• Customer Service and Communication
• Problem Solving and Decision Making
• Project Tracking and Coordination
• Safety Compliance
• Technical Manufacturing Expertise

Physical Demands:

• Must be able to lift up to 75 pounds
• Must be able to stand and walk for prolonged amounts of time
• Must be able to twist, bend and squat periodically

SECURITY CLEARANCE REQUIRED: Must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance at the Secret level. US Citizenship is a requirement for Secret clearance at this location. Acquiring a clearance will be done with the assistance of Bowhead upon hiring unless the candidate already possesses a clearance.

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