Machine Shop Manager Jobs
Machine Shop Manager jobs are open across manufacturing, aerospace, defense, and automotive industries, with specializations in CNC operations, production planning, and quality control, at every level from lead machinist stepping into management to senior plant manager. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Job Overview
We are seeking a dynamic and detail-oriented Machine Production Manager / Programmer to join our manufacturing team. This role combines leadership, technical expertise, and hands-on machining skills to ensure efficient production processes and high-quality output. As a key member of our shop, you will assist with overseeing daily operations, coordinate machining activities, and develop precise programming for various CNC machines. Your mechanical knowledge and manufacturing experience will drive continuous improvement, safety, and excellence in our machining operations. This is an exciting opportunity for someone passionate about manufacturing technology and team leadership to make a significant impact.
Responsibilities
- Lead daily machine shop operations, ensuring safety protocols, quality standards, and production deadlines are met efficiently.
- Program CNC milling machines, lathes, and other equipment using CAM software and G-code to produce complex parts with precision.
- Read and interpret detailed blueprints, GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing), and technical drawings to ensure accurate manufacturing.
- Operate and maintain CNC equipment
- Supervise shop personnel, assign tasks, monitor workflow, and provide mentorship to improve skills and productivity.
Requirements
- Proven experience with CNC programming (including CNC milling machines and CNC lathes), CAM programming software, and G-code development.
- Strong mechanical knowledge with hands-on experience in machining
- Ability to read blueprints accurately and apply GD&T standards for precision manufacturing.
- Skilled in using precision measuring instruments such as micrometers and calipers for quality control inspections.
- Excellent problem-solving skills with attention to detail in a fast-paced environment.
- Basic math skills necessary for measurement calculations and process adjustments.
- Strong communication skills for team coordination and documentation purposes. Join us if you're eager to lead a high-performing machine shop team while leveraging your technical expertise in CNC programming, fabrication, welding, and manufacturing!
Pay: $40.00 - $50.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
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Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Manufacturing
- Staffing & Recruiting
- Consulting & Professional Services
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in machine shop manager jobs.
- 5 or more years of machining or CNC operations experience, including supervisory responsibility
- Proficiency reading and interpreting engineering drawings, GD&T tolerances, and CAM programs
- Hands-on experience with CNC mills, lathes, or multi-axis machining centers
- Demonstrated ability to manage production schedules, labor allocation, and shop floor throughput
- Familiarity with quality management systems such as ISO 9001, AS9100, or IATF 16949
- Associate degree or vocational training in manufacturing technology, machining, or a related field
Tips for Your Machine Shop Manager Job Search
Quantify output metrics on your resume
Hiring managers want to see throughput improvements, scrap rate reductions, and on-time delivery numbers. Replace vague claims about running a shop with specific production results you owned, even if the figures are rough estimates from memory.
List every machine type you have supervised
Job postings often filter for experience with specific equipment like Mazak, Haas, or Okuma CNC mills and lathes. Include the makes and models your team operated, not just the general category, so your resume clears automated screening for equipment-specific roles.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists machine shop manager openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Target postings that match your shop's materials
A manager with deep experience in titanium aerospace components is a different hire than one who runs a high-volume steel job shop. Filter openings by material type or end market so your application speaks directly to what that employer machines every day.
Prepare a walk-the-floor story for interviews
Interviewers for shop manager roles frequently ask you to describe how you would assess a floor you have never seen before. Rehearse a structured answer covering safety, workflow, tooling condition, and team communication before you walk into any interview.
Negotiate start date around any OSHA or lean certifications
If you are mid-way through a Six Sigma green belt or a machine-specific safety credential, disclose that timeline during offer negotiation. Employers often adjust start dates or cover completion costs rather than lose a candidate who is weeks from finishing.
Machine Shop Manager Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most machine shop managers?
The companies hiring the most machine shop managers right now include Karman Space & Defense, Thorlabs, and Topeka Foundry & Iron Works, with the largest share of openings in California, Texas, and Pennsylvania, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Aerospace primes and defense subcontractors tend to post the highest volume of openings consistently.
How many machine shop manager jobs are remote?
About 0% of machine shop manager openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting that most of the role requires physical presence on the shop floor. The sub-areas most compatible with remote work are production scheduling, supplier coordination, and quality documentation review, which some employers allow off-site on a part-time basis.
How do you become a machine shop manager?
Most machine shop managers move up from machinist or CNC operator roles by demonstrating consistent output, accuracy, and the ability to train others. Building fluency in scheduling software and quality systems accelerates promotion. Earning a credential like a Six Sigma green belt or completing a manufacturing supervision certificate strengthens your case when applying to management openings externally.
Can you get hired as a machine shop manager with little management experience?
Some employers will consider candidates who have informal lead or team lead experience even without a formal supervisor title, especially at smaller job shops. Emphasize any time you owned a production cell, trained new machinists, or coordinated a shift in your resume. Targeting shops with fewer than fifty employees often gives first-time managers the best chance to step into the role.
What does the machine shop manager interview process look like?
Most employers run a phone screen focused on your equipment background and years of supervisory experience, followed by an on-site visit that includes a floor walk where you are asked to observe operations and comment on what you notice. A second conversation with the plant manager or operations director typically covers your approach to scheduling, safety compliance, and team accountability before an offer is extended.
Where can I find and apply to machine shop manager jobs?
You can find and apply to machine shop manager jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Search for roles that match your equipment background and industry experience, then apply directly to each listing that fits your skills.
See All 134+ Machine Shop Manager Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Machine Shop Manager Jobs