Find your next role

Description

Project Kuiper is Amazon’s low Earth orbit satellite broadband network. Its mission is to deliver fast, reliable internet to customers and communities around the world, and we’ve designed the system with the capacity, flexibility, and performance to serve a wide range of customers, from individual households to schools, hospitals, businesses, government agencies, and other organizations operating in locations without reliable connectivity.

Export Control Requirement: Due to applicable export control laws and regulations, candidates must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.

We are seeking an experienced Machine Shop Manager to lead and develop a team of skilled machinists in a dynamic, multi-capability manufacturing environment. This role will oversee the operation of advanced CNC equipment including 3-axis and 5-axis mills, lathes, waterjet cutting systems, and manual machine tools. The ideal candidate will combine technical expertise with strong leadership abilities to drive operational excellence, maintain quality standards, and foster team development. This position is critical to ensuring the shop's capability to respond quickly and effectively to changing manufacturing needs while maintaining the highest standards of quality and efficiency.

The ideal candidate is comfortable in a highly technical setting and leads collaboration with other departments to reach the best solution to any problem and is able to technically challenge assumptions and requirements of these departments, such as manufacturability, material selection, and post-processing.

Military and Veterans Encouraged to Apply: We highly value the leadership, problem-solving, and teamwork skills developed in the military. Candidates with military backgrounds are encouraged to bring their unique perspectives and skills to help us achieve our mission.

Key job responsibilities
• Lead and mentor a team of machinists, fostering skill development and cross-training
• Develop and implement manufacturing processes, quality control procedures, and safety protocols
• Manage equipment maintenance schedules, tooling inventory, and shop supplies to ensure continuous operations
• Collaborate with engineering and quality teams to optimize manufacturing processes and ensure product specifications are met
• Oversee the programming and operation of CNC equipment, including 3-axis and 5-axis mills, lathes, and waterjet systems
• Coordinate with procurement to maintain adequate inventory levels of materials and consumables
• Implement and maintain quality control processes, including inspection procedures and documentation
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency and reduce waste
• Manage hiring, training, and development of machine shop personnel
• Create and maintain production schedules to meet delivery commitments
• Ensure compliance with safety regulations and maintain a safe working environment
• Work with leadership to develop and manage department budget, including capital equipment planning
• Interface with various departments to coordinate project requirements and timelines
•Shift schedule will vary, depending on production/launch schedules
•Must be willing and able to perform extended travel up to 25% annually, either domestically or internationally as business needs demand

A day in the life
The Machine Shop Manager will split their time between hands-on technical oversight and administrative responsibilities. They will begin each day reviewing production schedules, conducting team meetings, and addressing any immediate operational challenges. Throughout the day, they will move between supervising complex machining operations, reviewing quality metrics, meeting with internal customers to discuss project requirements, and working on continuous improvement initiatives. They will be involved in both strategic planning for future capabilities and solving day-to-day technical challenges. The role requires someone who can seamlessly transition between shop floor operations and management responsibilities, maintaining a focus on both immediate production needs and long-term department development.

The ideal candidate will have demonstrated experience in advanced machining operations, with particular expertise in at least one area of CNC programming and operation. They should be comfortable making quick decisions in a fast-paced environment while maintaining high standards of quality and safety. We're looking for someone who can build and lead a team of skilled machinists while fostering an environment of continuous learning and improvement.

We want individuals who are ready for this challenge and want to reach beyond what is possible today.

About the team
Here at Amazon, we embrace our differences. We are committed to furthering our culture of inclusion. Amazon has ten employee-led affinity groups, reaching 40,000 employees in over 190 chapters globally. We have innovative benefit offerings, and host annual and ongoing learning experiences.

At Amazon, our mission is to be the most customer-centric company on Earth. To get there, we need exceptionally talented, bright and driven people. We're dedicated to supporting new team members. Our team has a broad mix of experience levels and Amazon tenures, and we’re building an environment that celebrates knowledge sharing and mentorship.