Modus Advanced, Inc.
Location: Livermore, CA
Salary: Depending on experience
Schedule: Monday–Friday, with flexibility to support multiple shifts (A/B/C) as needed
Reports to: Director of Operations
Position Overview
Join the Modus Advanced team as a Machine Shop Manager and lead the production floor of one of the most advanced precision machining operations in Northern California. In this role, you will own the day-to-day performance of a growing team of 15 or more machinists, operators, and senior technical staff across multiple shifts — driving throughput, quality, and the development of your people.
At Modus Advanced, one day matters. The precision components produced on your floor often go into applications where reliability isn’t just about performance — it’s about protecting and saving lives. Your leadership directly determines whether we deliver for our customers in aerospace, defense, commercial space, and medical device markets.
This is a leadership role, not a senior bench position. We are looking for someone who builds high-performing teams, makes sound real-time decisions under pressure, and creates the structure and accountability that allow a fast-growing shop to scale without losing the precision and discipline our customers depend on.
What Success Looks Like
A successful Machine Shop Manager runs a floor that hits its schedule, holds its quality standards, and develops its people — consistently, across every shift. You are measured by the performance of the team, not by the parts you personally produce.
In this role, success means:
- On-time delivery and throughput targets are met across all shifts.
- Maintaining key KPIs including: machine utilization percentages, scrap rates, and OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness).
- Quality is consistent and conforms to AS9100 and ISO 9001 standards, with scrap and rework trending down.
- Machines stay running and properly staffed; capacity is planned ahead of demand, not reactively.
- The team is growing in capability — operators advancing to machinists, machinists building toward senior and programming roles.
- Issues are resolved on the floor before they become escalations, and the right problems make it to engineering, quality, and leadership quickly.
- Ensuring a safe and clean environment for machine shop operators, including enforcement of proper clean-up and PPE usage.
The key differentiator of this role: a Senior CNC Machinist leads through technical expertise and mentorship. You lead through people, process, and accountability. You don’t need to be the best machinist in the building — you need to build and direct the team that delivers.
Key Responsibilities
Team Leadership and Development
- Lead, coach, and develop a team of 15 or more machinists, operators, and senior technical staff across multiple shifts.
- Own hiring, onboarding, performance management, and career development for the machining team.
- Set clear expectations and hold the team accountable to performance, quality, and safety standards.
- Build a bench — develop operators toward machinist roles and machinists toward senior and programming paths using established role progressions.
- Foster a collaborative, high-trust culture aligned with the Modus core values and Expectations Framework.
Production, Scheduling, and Operations Management
- Plan and manage capacity, staffing, and scheduling across machines, operators and shifts to meet customer commitments.
- Own day-to-day production flow; make real-time priority decisions that balance delivery, quality, and cost.
- Track and drive operational metrics: on-time delivery, machine utilization, labor efficiency, scrap, and rework.
- Coordinate closely with Programming, Engineering, Quality, and Scheduling to keep jobs moving from release to shipment.
- Identify and remove bottlenecks; drive continuous improvement (lean, 5S) across the floor.
Quality and Compliance
- Ensure all production conforms to AS9100 and ISO 9001 quality systems and customer requirements.
- Support first article inspection (FAI), in-process inspection discipline, and root-cause/corrective-action processes.
- Partner with the Quality team to resolve non-conformances and prevent recurrence.
- Maintain compliance with ITAR, CMMC, and defense customer requirements on the floor.
Equipment and Capacity Planning
- Coordinate with Facilities Lead to ensure all machines and equipment are properly maintained.
- Provide input on capital equipment needs and tooling investments to support growth.
- Balance machine loading to maximize uptime and protect critical-path jobs.
Required Qualifications
Experience and Education
- 8–10+ years of CNC machining experience, including 3–5+ years in a formal leadership or supervisory role managing 10 or more people.
- Proven track record running a multi-machine, multi-shift production operation.
- Certificate or Associate’s degree in Machine Shop Technology, Manufacturing Technology, or equivalent experience; bachelor’s degree a plus but not required.
- Experience in aerospace, defense, or medical device manufacturing strongly preferred.
- Working knowledge of AS9100 and ISO 9001 quality management systems.
- U.S. person status required — ITAR, CMMC, and defense customer requirements make this non-negotiable for this facility.
- Ability to read, write, comprehend, and communicate in English.
Technical Knowledge
You must be technically credible to the floor — you do not need to be the most skilled machinist in the building, but you must understand the work well enough to evaluate it, prioritize it, and lead the people doing it.
- Expert ability to read and interpret engineering drawings with GD&T.
- Deep familiarity with VMC, HMC, and 5-axis machining centers (Modus runs a modern Okuma environment).
- Working knowledge of CAM and programming workflows (Esprit, SolidWorks) sufficient to assess quality and set priorities — day-to-day programming is not required.
- Strong understanding of precision measurement, inspection, and tolerance interpretation.
- Familiarity with preventive maintenance practices and machine troubleshooting at a coordination level.
Leadership Skills
- Proven ability to build, lead, and develop high-performing production teams.
- Can clearly articulate what “good” looks like and coach team members toward it.
- Sound decision-making and composure under pressure and ambiguity.
- Data-driven approach to scheduling, capacity planning, and performance management.
- Strong communication skills for cross-functional collaboration with Engineering, Quality, and Programming.
- Continuous-improvement mindset with a focus on root cause and prevention.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to stand and move around the shop floor for extended periods.
- Manual dexterity for handling precision components and tools when needed.
- Excellent eyesight (correction allowable) for detailed inspection work.
- Ability to lift and move materials up to 50 lbs as required.
What We Offer
Comprehensive Benefits Package
- Competitive salary commensurate with experience, plus performance bonus.
- Health, dental, and vision insurance.
- 401(k) retirement plan with company matching.
- Paid time off and holiday pay.
- Professional development opportunities.
- Tuition reimbursement program.
Growth Opportunities
- Leadership role with direct impact on the company’s growth trajectory.
- Opportunity to build and shape the production function at a rapidly growing manufacturer.
- Path toward senior operations and plant leadership.
- Exposure to cutting-edge manufacturing technologies and mission-critical applications.
Work Environment
- State-of-the-art machining center equipped with modern Okuma CNC equipment, including VMCs, HMCs, and 5-axis machines.
- Climate-controlled manufacturing environment that prioritizes safety and collaboration.
- Engineering-first culture with direct access to technical support.
- Mission-driven company culture focused on enabling life-saving and life-protecting innovations.
Our Commitment to Excellence
At Modus Advanced, we maintain the highest standards of quality and precision. Our AS9100 and ISO 9001 certifications, ITAR registration, and CMMC certification reflect our commitment to excellence in everything we do. As Machine Shop Manager, you will be instrumental in maintaining these standards while building the team that delivers on our customers’ most critical missions.
We’re building toward $55M in revenue by 2028 with a 25% annual growth rate. The Machine Shop Manager is central to that vision — scaling our production capacity without compromising the precision our customers depend on.
We’re looking for leaders who understand that in our world, precision isn’t just about meeting specifications — it’s about enabling innovations that save and protect lives.
Ready to lead our team? Apply today and become part of a company that’s accelerating tomorrow’s innovations.
Benefits:
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Referral program
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
