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Director Machine Shop Manager Jobs (NOW HIRING)

GEODynamics in Millsap, TX is looking for qualified candidates for Production Manager. Our campus is on the frontage road of Interstate 20 near Millsap, TX. Located west of Fort Worth, it is an easy ...

Set up and operate a variety of machine tools to produce precision parts and instruments. May also ... directed by Mechanical Engineering Lab Manager Additional Information: Physical Demands Summary:

Responsible for the overall talent management of the machine shop department including interviewing, hiring, and training Team Members; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance ...

Responsible for the overall talent management of the machine shop department including interviewing, hiring, and training Team Members; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance ...

Machine Shop Supervisor

Dover, PA ยท On-site

$75K - $80K/yr

Job Title: Machine Shop Supervisor As a Machine Shop Supervisor, you will be responsible for ... Work with Team Leaders to manage and direct the shift workforce. * Ensure completion of all ...

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Director Machine Shop Manager information

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$36.5K

$76.3K

$119.5K

How much do director machine shop manager jobs pay per year?

As of May 31, 2026, the average yearly pay for director machine shop manager in the United States is $76,347.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $58,000.00 and $90,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Director Machine Shop Manager, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Director Machine Shop Manager, you need extensive experience in machining operations, a strong mechanical engineering background, and often a relevant degree or certification in manufacturing or industrial engineering. Familiarity with CNC machinery, CAD/CAM software, ERP systems, and lean manufacturing methodologies is typically required. Leadership, problem-solving, and excellent communication skills are crucial for managing teams and driving continuous improvement. These skills ensure efficient shop operations, high product quality, and effective coordination between departments and stakeholders.

What are some common challenges faced by a Director Machine Shop Manager, and how can they be effectively addressed?

A Director Machine Shop Manager often faces challenges such as balancing production efficiency with quality control, managing a diverse team of machinists and engineers, and adapting to rapidly changing technology or customer requirements. Effective communication, strong leadership, and continuous process improvement are essential to addressing these challenges. Staying up to date with the latest manufacturing trends and investing in employee training can also help ensure the shop runs smoothly and remains competitive.

What does a Director Machine Shop Manager do?

A Director Machine Shop Manager oversees the operations of a machine shop, ensuring that production goals are met efficiently and safely. They manage staff, coordinate workflow, maintain quality control standards, and oversee budgeting and inventory management. This role also involves strategic planning for process improvements, technology upgrades, and compliance with safety regulations. In larger organizations, the Director may also be responsible for collaborating with other departments and reporting to senior leadership.

What is the shop manager role?

A shop manager in a machine shop oversees daily operations, manages staff, ensures safety compliance, and maintains production schedules. They often coordinate with engineers and use tools like CAD and CNC machines, requiring leadership and technical skills. The role typically involves scheduling, quality control, and inventory management.

What is the difference between Director Machine Shop Manager vs Manufacturing Supervisor?

AspectDirector Machine Shop ManagerManufacturing Supervisor
CredentialsTypically requires a bachelor's degree in engineering or manufacturing, with extensive experienceOften requires a high school diploma or associate degree, with relevant manufacturing experience
Work EnvironmentOversees multiple departments or the entire machine shop, strategic planningManages daily operations on the shop floor, direct supervision of workers
Industry UsageUsed in large manufacturing facilities, corporate-level rolesCommon in factories, production plants, and smaller manufacturing units

The main difference is that the Director Machine Shop Manager focuses on strategic oversight and managing multiple teams or departments, while the Manufacturing Supervisor handles daily operations and direct supervision of shop floor staff. The Director role involves higher-level planning and decision-making, whereas the Supervisor is more hands-on with daily production activities.

More about Director Machine Shop Manager jobs
What cities are hiring for Director Machine Shop Manager jobs? Cities with the most Director Machine Shop Manager job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Machine Shop Manager jobs? The most popular types of Machine Shop Manager jobs are:
What states have the most Director Machine Shop Manager jobs? States with the most job openings for Director Machine Shop Manager jobs include:

CNC Machine Shop Manager

Varda Space Industries

El Segundo, CA โ€ข On-site

$110K - $140K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 16 days ago


Job description

About Varda
Low Earth orbit is open for business. Varda is accelerating the development of commercial space infrastructure, from in-orbit pharmaceutical processing to reliable and economical reentry capsules.
From life-saving pharmaceuticals to more powerful fiber optics, there is a world of products used on Earth today that can only be manufactured in space. Varda is accelerating innovation in the orbital economy by creating both the products and infrastructure needed so space can directly benefit life on Earth. Our mission is to expand the economic bounds of humankind.
Our team is uniquely suited to accomplishing this goal, with leadership and staff comprised of veterans from SpaceX, Blue Origin, major pharmaceutical companies and Silicon Valley. Varda was founded in January 2021 by Will Bruey and Delian Asparouhov with significant backing from world class investors including Khosla Ventures, Lux Capital, Founders Fund, Caffeinated Capital, General Catalyst, and Also Capital.
Varda is headquartered in El Segundo, California, where we have offices and a production facility where our vehicles, equipment, and materials are built, integrated, and tested. Varda also has offices in Washington, DC and Huntsville, AL.
Join Varda, and work to create a bustling in-space ecosystem.
About this Role
Varda's machine shop is where the spaceflight hardware that flies on our reentry capsules - and the ground support equipment that builds, integrates, and tests them - gets cut. Capsule structural hardware, payload processing modules, propulsion and fluid system components, integration fixtures, and bespoke tooling all come off the floor here. This is a prototype shop: short-run, low-quantity, high-mix. Most jobs are one of a kind, every setup matters, and the next vehicle's build cadence depends on what leaves the shop this week.
As CNC Machine Shop Manager, you own the shop end-to-end. Today the team is 4 programmers and machinists, scaling to a larger team as Varda's vehicle cadence ramps. You'll work on a fleet of 3-axis and 5-axis mills, lathes, and secondary equipment. You set the schedule, hire and develop the team, and work directly with design and manufacturing engineers to keep first-piece quality high and turnaround tight.
Responsibilities
  • Own day-to-day machine shop operations across capsule, payload, propulsion, and GSE programs, including scheduling, work prioritization, and resource allocation
  • Lead and grow a team of programmers, machinists, and operators. Hire, mentor, develop, and hold the floor accountable for safety, quality, and delivery
  • Drive performance across safety, quality, on-time delivery, throughput, scrap, and cost
  • Direct setups, first-piece verification, in-process checks, tool offsets, and changeovers;
  • Troubleshoot machining issues related to programming, tooling, workholding, dimensional variation, surface finish, and machine downtime
  • Evaluate and recommend capex for new machines, tooling, fixtures, and measurement equipment as the shop scales
  • Champion configuration control discipline so every part is built to the controlled documentation
Basic Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in mechanical, manufacturing, or aerospace engineering, or equivalent practical experience
  • 10+ years of CNC machining experience, with 5+ years leading a CNC machine shop or production team
  • Hands-on background as a programmer or machinist who moved into management - still credible on the floor and at the CAM seat
  • Direct experience with Mastercam (or equivalent) as the primary CAM environment
  • Experience running shops anchored on Haas mills and lathes; comfort with Haas controls
  • Direct experience with 5-axis machining strategy, workholding design, and complex setup troubleshooting
  • Strong knowledge of GD&T, blueprint interpretation, and precision measuring tools (micrometers, calipers, indicators, height gauges, CMM)
  • Experience in prototype, high-mix, or short-run machining environments
Preferred Skills and Experience
  • Prior work in a technical role for a launch vehicle, satellite, or reentry-vehicle development effort
  • Experience in low-volume, high-mix or prototype-to-flight aerospace manufacturing environments
  • Experience with NX CAD
  • Capex management experience - building business cases for new machine tools, tooling, and shop infrastructure
  • Experience hiring and developing a senior shop team in a startup or scale-up environment
Pay Range
  • Salary range: $110,000 - $140,000/per year
  • This role is on-sitein El Segundo, CA
  • Leveling and base salary is determined by job-related skills, education level, experience level, and job performance
  • You will be eligible for incentives in the form of stock options and/or long-term cash awards

ITAR Requirements
  • Varda, like all employers, must ensure that its employees working in the United States are lawfully authorized to work in the U.S. Additionally, our employees are exposed to and have access to certain export-controlled items. At present, some of our technology to which employees have access requires a license to be exported to individuals other than "U.S. Persons" as defined in U.S. export regulations. Because our employees are provided access to export-controlled items, our current policy is to only hire "U.S. persons" who are permitted to have access to our technology without an export license.
    "US person" means: U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident, or protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) (i.e., individual admitted to the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum in the U.S.)
    Learn more about the ITAR here.
Benefits
  • Exciting team of professionals at the top of their field working by your side
  • Equity in a fully funded space startup with potential for significant growth (interns excluded)
  • 401(k) matching (interns excluded)
  • Unlimited PTO (interns excluded)
  • Health insurance, including Vision and Dental
  • Lunch and snacks provided on site every day. Dinners provided twice a week.
  • Maternity / Paternity leave (interns excluded)

Varda Space Industries is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Candidates and employees are always evaluated based on merit, qualifications, and performance. We will never discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, martial status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status.
E-Verify Statement
Varda Space Industries, Inc. participates in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security E-Verify program. The E-Verify program is an Internet-based employment eligibility verification system operated by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Learn more about the E-Verify program.
E-Verify Notice Right To Work Notice
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