Freelance Machine Shop Manager Jobs in Kentucky (NOW HIRING)

At Brian Tooley Racing, passion fuels innovation. Founded in 2012, BTR has become a leader in high-performance camshafts, valvetrain systems, and precision-engineered components for modern American pushrod engines. With advanced in-house capabilities-including CNC machining, Spintron testing, and specialized camshaft grinding-BTR designs, tests, and manufactures products trusted by enthusiasts, engine builders, and racers worldwide. If you're driven by engineering excellence and high-performance innovation, BTR is an exceptional place to grow your career.

Summary:

The Machine Shop Manager is responsible for the overall leadership, performances, and continuous improvement of Brian Tooley Racing's machine shop operations. This position leads CNC machining activities, personnel development, equipment utilization, process optimization, quality performance, and safety compliance to ensure products are manufactured efficiently and to the highest standards.

The Machine Shop Manager is responsible for establishing departmental priorities, driving accountability, developing personnel, improving manufacturing processes, and supporting company growth through operational excellence.

This position reports to the Plant Manager and works closely with Engineering, Product Development, Quality, Purchasing, and Operations.

Requirements

• Lead daily machine shop operations to achieve production scheudles and business objectives.
• Prioritize work based on production requirements, engineering projects, prototypes, and customer commitments.
• Monitor departmental KPIs including throughput, machine utilization, labor efficiency, scrap, rework, setup time, and downtime.
• Remove operational barriers and allocate resources to maximize productivity.
• Coordinate with the Machine Shop Supervisor to ensure production readiness and material availability.
• Provide technical leadership for CNC machining processes, tooling strategies, fixturing, setups, and machining methods.
• Support and review CNC programming activities utilizing Fusion and other programming platforms.
• Troubleshoot machining, quality, equipment, and process-related issues.
• Ensure machining methods meet quality, repeatability, and efficiency standards.
• Support implementation of new manufacturing technologies and machining techniques.
• Ensure machined components meet specifications, tolerances, inspection requirements, and quality standards.
• Drive initiatives to reduce cycle times, setup times, scrap, rework, and process variation.
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective action efforts.
• Oversee machine utilization and equipment readiness.
• Coordinate preventive maintenance activities and equipment support requirements.
• Evaluate and recommend improvements involving equipment, tooling, automation, software, and facility layout.
• Develop recommendations for capital investments and future machine shop growth.
• Maintain compliance with company safety policies and OSHA requirements.
• Promote a clean, organized and professional machine shop environment.
• Ensure all personnel follow established safety procedures and best practices.
• Other duties as assigned by senior leadership.

Management Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, train, and develop machinists, CNC programmers, setup personnel, and machine shop employees.
• Establish performance expectations and hold team members accountable for safety, quality, productivity, attendance, and conduct.
• Conduct performance evaluations and support employee development plans.
• Assist with hiring, onboarding, workforce planning, and succession development.
• Foster a culture of teamwork, craftsmanship, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Working Conditions

• Work is performed primarily in a manufacturing and machine shop environment.
• Regular exposure to machining equipment, tooling, materials, noise, production activity, and shop-floor conditions.
• Regular exposure to machining equipment, tooling, materials, noise, production activity, and shop-floor conditions.
• Requires frequent standing, walking, bending, reaching, and time spent on the production floor.
• Must be able to wear required personal protective equipment and comply with all safety requirements.
• May require flexibility in hours to support production needs, equipment issues, deadlines, or urgent operational priorities.

Education and Experience

• Minimum 10 years of CNC machining experience in a precision manufacturing environment.
• 3+ years of leadership or supervisory experience in a machine shop, CNC production, or manufacturing environment.
• Strong hands-on knowledge of CNC mills, lathes, tooling, fixturing, setups, feeds, speeds, and machining methods.
• Experience with 5-axis machining is strongly preferred.
• Experience with Fusion or similar CNC programming software is strongly preferred.
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings, GD&T, tolerances, and inspection requirements.
• Strong troubleshooting skills with the ability to resolve machining, quality, equipment, and production issues.
• Experience in automotive, motorsports, engine components, aerospace, or other tight-tolerance manufacturing environments is preferred.
• Strong leadership, communication, coaching, organization, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and experience with ERP, production, or manufacturing systems is preferred.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the USA.

Benefits

We are a team-driven company that values strong working relationships, work/life balance, and the enjoyment of the work we do together. You will find a collaborative environment with Friday team breakfasts, quarterly potlucks, and a culture built on respect and support.

Benefits include:

• 401k with company match
• Paid time off (PTO) and sick time
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Employee discount