MANUFACTURING ENGINEER (JIGS & FIXTURES)

Position Summary The Manufacturing Engineer is responsible for transforming high-precision fixture designs into physical assets with a focus on technical excellence and financial efficiency. This role requires a blend of advanced CNC/CAM expertise and rigorous project management to ensure parts are machined Right First Time within the estimated budget and hours. Core Responsibilities CNC / CAM & Process Strategy High-Precision Programming: Develop 3-axis and 5-axis CNC programs using advanced CAM software, optimizing tool paths for surface finish and accuracy. Manufacturing Methods: Identify the most efficient manufacturing sequence to ensure dimensions meet customer specifications (±5 to ±10 microns). Surface Treatment Planning: Calculate and apply precise machining allowances to account for post-processing requirements like Hard Anodizing, ENP, or Heat Treatment. Material Expertise & Development Metallic Machining: Implement specialized cutting strategies for Stainless Steel (work-hardening prevention) and Aluminium (high-speed machining with superior surface finish). Non-Metallic & Polymer Development: Lead the machining and development of TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane) and other engineering plastics. This includes managing material compression during clamping and selecting razor-sharp tooling to prevent burring or melting. Distortion-Free Machining: Develop specialized workholding and stress-relieving machining sequences to prevent warping in thin-walled components. Production Control & Cost Management Machining Hour Control: Monitor and control actual machining hours against the pre-defined Estimated Man-Hours. Identify variances and implement corrective actions to prevent cost overruns. Efficiency Audits: Continuously review CNC cycle times and setup procedures to align shop-floor performance with the commercial estimate. Assembly Engineering: Lead the physical integration of mechanical, pneumatic, and electrical subsystems, ensuring zero interference during the final build. Technical Requirements Education & Experience Qualification: B.E. / B.Tech in Manufacturing, Mechanical, or Production Engineering. Experience: 4–7 years in high-precision CNC machining and toolroom operations. Domain Expertise: Proven experience in managing Estimate vs. Actual machining costs for custom tooling projects. Software & Technical Proficiency CAM Mastery: Expert proficiency in Mastercam, NX CAM, or PowerMill. Project Tracking: Familiarity with ERP systems or Excel-based tracking for monitoring machining hours and production milestones. Metrology: Hands-on experience with CMM, 3D scanning, and high-precision manual gauging. Specialized Knowledge Material Science: Understanding of the thermal and mechanical properties of Stainless Steel, Aluminium alloys, and the elastic behaviour of TPU during machining. Tooling Economics: Ability to select cutting tools that balance high-speed removal with long-term cost-efficiency. KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS (KPIs) Labor Efficiency: Percentage variance between Estimated vs. Actual machining hours (Target: Quality Rate: Success rate of First Article Inspection (FAI) with zero rework due to machining errors or material distortion. Material Integrity: Zero part rejections due to improper handling of specialized materials (e.g., melting of TPU or work-hardening of SS). On-Time Delivery: Adherence to the production schedule for final fixture assembly.