Project Engineer Sr Stf - E5

Standard Job Description

The CNC Machining Capability Project Engineer is the technical person for evaluating, selecting, and developing external machining suppliers for complex CNC milling and turning operations (3‑ to 5‑axis). In addition to deep technical expertise, this role requires strong business acumen—the ability to translate capability data into strategic sourcing decisions that drive cost savings, revenue protection, and market competitiveness.
This role partners closely with Supply Chain, Strategic Sourcing, Supplier Quality, and Operations to evaluate machining capabilities, resolve technical issues, reduce cost and risk, and ensure suppliers can meet quality, delivery, and performance requirements.This position bridges the gap between engineering intent and supplier execution, providing hands-on machining expertise to support supplier selection, development, and ongoing performance.

Supplier Technical Evaluation & Selection
• Lead technical assessments of machining suppliers, including:
o CNC milling/turning (3–5 axis)
o Complex tolerances & GD&T
o Materials (aluminum, titanium, steel, Inconel, composites, etc.)
• Support RFQ/RFP reviews by:
o Review drawings for machining types
o Match suppliers to drawing requirements, quality requirements, volume and program needs
o Manufacturability concerns
o Process assumptions
o Cycle times and cost drivers
o Support PO Kickoffs and drawing reviews with the supplier
• Participate in source selection decisions as the machining technical authority

Supplier Development & Performance
• Identify capability gaps in supplier machining processes and recommend corrective actions
• Support suppliers with:
o Process improvements request that requires Lockheed attention
• Partner with Supplier Quality on:
o Root cause analysis (RCCA)
o Corrective action plans (CAPA)
o First Article Inspection (FAI) readiness

Cost, Risk & Manufacturability
• Drive cost reduction initiatives through:
o Design for Manufacturability (DFM)
o Alternate process recommendations
o Alternate source recommendations
o Make vs. buy analysis
• Assess and mitigate supply chain risk, including:
o Single-source machining processes
o Capacity constraints
o Obsolete or specialized equipment dependencies

Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Act as the machining SME between:
o Engineering
o Supply Chain / Strategic Sourcing
o Operations
o Quality
• Support engineering change reviews and technical trade studies impacting suppliers
• Provide technical input for supplier councils, sourcing boards, and executive reviews
• Virtual Capability Centers
• Integrated Product Teams

Continuous Improvement & Standards
• Help define and maintain:
o Machining capability standards
o Supplier technical requirements
o Best-practice guidelines
• Support Lean / CI initiatives within supplier machining operations
• Mentor sourcing and quality teams on machining fundamentals

Basic Qualifications

Technical Background
• 10+ years hands-on machining experience (shop floor, manufacturing engineering, or supplier technical role)
• Deep expertise in:
o CNC machining processes
o Tooling, fixturing, and programming concepts
o GD&T interpretation
o Aerospace/defense materials and specifications
• Experience supporting major aerospace or defense programs

Supply Chain & Supplier Experience
• Experience working directly with external machining suppliers
• Strong understanding of:
o Supplier audits and technical assessments
o Cost drivers in machining
o Production ramp-up and capacity planning

Soft Skills & Leadership
• Strong technical communication skills — able to translate complex machining topics for non-technical audiences
• Comfortable challenging assumptions and driving fact-based decisions
• Able to influence without direct authority
• Willing to travel to supplier sites (typically 25–50%)

Desired Skills