Freelance Machine Shop Inspector Jobs in Massachusetts

We are seeking an experienced Machine Shop Manager to own and operate the rapid prototyping shop at our Boston Development Center. As the leader for precision fabrication and additive manufacturing, you own end-to-end execution of machined and 3D-printed components that drive our hardware development. This is a prototype shop: short-run, high-mix. Most jobs are unique, every setup matters, and the engineering team's development velocity depends on what leaves the shop each week.
You will manage the full scope of shop operations, multi-axis CNC milling and turning, manual/conventional machining, and industrial 3D printing (metal and polymer). You will hire and develop a team of CNC programmers, precision machinists, and additive manufacturing technicians, set the schedule, and work directly with design and manufacturing engineers to keep first-piece quality high and turnaround tight. The ideal candidate is a hands-on technical leader who came up through programming and machining and is still credible at the CAM seat and on the shop floor.
Key job responsibilities
- Own day-to-day machine shop operations end-to-end: job scheduling, work prioritization, resource allocation, and throughput management across CNC machining and additive manufacturing equipment.
- Hire, develop, and manage a team of CNC machinists, CNC programmers, and additive manufacturing technicians. Set performance expectations, coach development, and hold the team accountable for safety, quality, and delivery.
- Manage job queues across multiple concurrent engineering programs, prioritize work to maximize throughput and minimize lead time, balancing urgent R&D prototype requests with operational tooling and fixture needs. Implement job routing and tracking workflows to manage the high-mix, rapid-turnaround queue.
- Work directly with product design and manufacturing engineers to review part designs, advise on manufacturability (DFM), select machining strategies, and ensure first-piece quality meets drawing requirements.
- Oversee CNC programming (CAM), setup verification, first-piece inspection, in-process checks, tool offsets, and changeovers. Troubleshoot machining issues related to programming, tooling, workholding, dimensional variation, and surface finish.
- Manage 3D printing / additive manufacturing operations, job scheduling, material management, build parameter optimization, and post-processing for both metal and polymer systems.
- Drive performance metrics: on-time delivery, first-piece quality, throughput, machine utilization, scrap rate. Use data to identify improvement opportunities and report shop performance to leadership.
- Ensure safety and housekeeping standards are maintained, 5S, PPE compliance, machine guarding, and EHS requirements for a machining and additive manufacturing environment.
- Own equipment maintenance, calibration, and uptime. Evaluate and recommend capital expenditure for new machines, tooling, fixtures, and measurement equipment as the shop scales.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field; OR equivalent practical experience with Journeyman Machinist certification or relevant technical/trade degree.
- 7+ years of CNC machining experience, with at least 3 years leading or managing a machine shop team (machinists and/or programmers).
- Hands-on background as a CNC programmer or machinist who moved into management - still credible on the floor and at the CAM seat.
- Proficiency with CAM software (Mastercam, Fusion 360, NX CAM, or equivalent) and CNC controls (Fanuc, Siemens, Haas).
- Direct experience with 5-axis machining strategy, workholding design, and complex setup troubleshooting.
- Experience in prototype, high-mix, or short-run machining environments where turnaround time and first-piece quality are critical.
- Strong knowledge of GD&T, blueprint interpretation, and precision measuring tools (micrometers, calipers, indicators, CMM).
- Experience with additive manufacturing / 3D printing operations (metal and/or polymer systems).
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- 12+ years of machining experience with progressive leadership responsibilities in advanced hardware, aerospace, robotics, or R&D prototype environments.
- Experience managing both CNC machining and additive manufacturing operations under one roof.
- Experience setting up a machine shop from the ground up - including equipment selection, facility layout, rigging, installation, and building the team in a startup or scale-up environment.
- Capital equipment management experience - building business cases for new machine tools, tooling, and shop infrastructure.
- Experience with metal additive manufacturing (DMLS/SLM) and post-processing workflows.
- Strong understanding of material properties including advanced alloys, tool steels, titanium, stainless steel, aluminum, and engineering polymers commonly used in robotics and electromechanical assemblies.
- Lean manufacturing or continuous improvement experience applied to job-shop environments.
Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.
Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you're applying in isn't listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.
The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at https://amazon.jobs/en/benefits.
USA, MA, N.Reading - 136,900.00 - 185,200.00 USD annually