Engineer Machinist, Military Defense Contractor
About the Role
A leading U.S. military defense contractor is seeking a highly skilled Engineer Machinist to support the design, fabrication, and precision machining of critical defense components. This individual will play a central role in manufacturing, prototyping, and modifying high-precision parts for military applications, ensuring they meet strict quality, tolerance, and performance standards.
The Engineer Machinist will work closely with engineering teams, quality control specialists, and production personnel to support the development of mission-critical defense systems. This is a full-time, on-site position at a secure U.S. defense facility, and candidates must be prepared to operate within a classified environment subject to strict security protocols and regulatory oversight.
Key Responsibilities
Precision Machining and Fabrication
- Operate, program, and maintain CNC and manual machining equipment to manufacture high-precision components to exact engineering specifications.
- Work from engineering blueprints, technical drawings, and CAD/CAM software to produce parts within required tolerances for military and aerospace applications.
- Set up, calibrate, and adjust machining equipment prior to production runs, verifying correct tooling, fixturing, and workholding configurations.
Engineering Collaboration and Prototyping
- Collaborate with design and manufacturing engineers to develop prototypes, modify existing components, and refine machining processes to support program requirements.
- Participate in design reviews, process engineering discussions, and production planning meetings to provide machinist input on manufacturability and feasibility.
- Support research and development teams in fabricating test articles and proof-of-concept components for emerging defense systems.
Quality Assurance and Metrology
- Conduct precision measurements and dimensional inspections using micrometers, calipers, CMMs, and other metrology instruments to verify part tolerances and conformance to drawing requirements.
- Ensure compliance with military and aerospace-grade quality standards including AS9100 and applicable ISO certifications throughout the production process.
- Document non-conformances and work with quality control staff to identify root cause, implement corrective actions, and prevent recurrence.
Process Optimization and Continuous Improvement
- Optimize machining processes by identifying and implementing lean manufacturing principles, cycle time reductions, and continuous improvement techniques.
- Troubleshoot and resolve machining and manufacturing issues, ensuring efficiency, dimensional accuracy, and consistency across production runs.
Compliance, Documentation, and Security
- Maintain accurate and thorough documentation of machining processes, setups, and inspection results to ensure full traceability and compliance with government and defense contract regulations.
- Adhere strictly to security protocols and material handling requirements for classified components, sensitive materials, and controlled technical data.
- Ensure all work is performed in compliance with ITAR regulations, export control requirements, and applicable defense contract quality provisions.
Cross-Functional Participation
- Participate in cross-functional teams supporting research, development, and production goals across multiple program areas.
- Mentor junior machinists and production technicians, sharing expertise in CNC programming, precision setup, and quality verification techniques.
Education and Experience Requirements
What the Organization Offers
Why This Role Matters
Defense manufacturing tolerances leave no room for error. The components produced in this role go directly into systems that military personnel depend on in the field — making precision, quality discipline, and regulatory compliance not abstract professional values but operational necessities. The Engineer Machinist who performs this work contributes directly to national security outcomes.
For a skilled machinist with defense or aerospace background who wants to work at the intersection of advanced manufacturing and mission-critical application, this is one of the more substantive opportunities available in the sector. The work is technically demanding, the standards are uncompromising, and the stakes are real.
In defense manufacturing, precision is not a preference. Every tolerance matters, every inspection counts, and the work that leaves this facility has to be right the first time.
Retained Search by Excelon Associates
Excelon Associates is a retained executive search firm headquartered in Asheville, NC, with additional offices in Boca Raton and Delray Beach, FL. Our government and defense practice places engineers, manufacturing specialists, program managers, and technical leaders at U.S. defense contractors, federal agencies, and government-adjacent organizations across the country. Since 2007 we have supported clients in building the technical teams that keep mission-critical programs on schedule.
For military defense contractors seeking to enhance precision manufacturing capability, Excelon Associates is a trusted recruitment partner. We connect organizations with skilled engineer machinists who bring both the technical depth and the compliance orientation that defense manufacturing demands. Reach out today to start a confidential conversation.
Hiring an Engineer Machinist?
Excelon Associates places precision manufacturing and defense engineering talent at U.S. defense contractors nationwide. Headquartered in Asheville, NC. Retained search since 2007.