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JOB TITLE: Applications Engineer
LOCATION: Greenville, SC
PAY RATE: $45-50/hour

We are a national aerospace and defense staffing agency seeking highly qualified candidates for a position with a top-tier client.

Job Details:

• Open to Contract-to-Hire (C2H), but client prefers candidates seeking a stable Direct Hire position.

• Local South Carolina candidates preferred; relocation considered for the right candidate ($2,500 reimbursed after 90 days with receipts).

• Hourly pay $45–50/hr (depending on experience); transitions to full-time Direct Hire.

• Robust benefits package:

  • 100% company-paid medical (valued at ~$30K)

  • 8.6% automatic 401K contribution (no employee contribution required)

• Shift: Mon–Fri, 8am–5pm; every other Friday off

Qualifying Questions:

• Are you a U.S. person as defined under ITAR regulations?
• Do you meet the educational and experience requirements for this role?
• Can you commute to the job location or relocate if necessary?

Summary: 

• Develop, optimize, and maintain 5-axis CNC programs for complex aerospace and defense components.

• Select machining strategies, tooling, fixturing, and cutting parameters to maximize efficiency, quality, and repeatability.

• Support New Part Introduction (NPI) by validating manufacturability and reducing production risk.

• Troubleshoot machining issues, including tool paths, workholding, surface finish, tolerances, and cycle time.

• Provide shop floor support during first article, prove-outs, and production ramp-up.

• Serve as a technical liaison between Design Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, and Customers.

• Review customer drawings, models, and specifications to determine optimal manufacturing approaches.

• Develop and maintain standardized machining processes and best practices.

• Support cost estimating and quoting with cycle time and process input.

• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives to reduce scrap and improve throughput and OEE.

• Ensure processes comply with AS9100, customer specifications, and internal quality systems.

• Support First Article Inspections (FAI) and root cause analysis for nonconformances.

• Collaborate with Quality Engineering on process controls and documentation.

• Maintain accurate setup sheets, work instructions, and control plans.

• Support customer technical reviews, audits, and program launches.

• Provide technical input during design-for-manufacturability (DFM) discussions.

• Assist Sales, Program Management, and Engineering with technical presentations and capability demonstrations.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Manufacturing, Mechanical, Aerospace, or related field) or equivalent experience.

• 5+ years of CNC machining experience in aerospace and/or defense manufacturing.

• Expertise in 5-axis CNC programming and advanced machining strategies.

• Strong understanding of GD&T and ability to interpret complex engineering drawings.

• Experience in regulated manufacturing environments (AS9100, ISO, customer flow-downs).

• Proven ability to troubleshoot machining and process issues independently.

• Proficiency with CAM software such as NX, Mastercam, CATIA, or equivalent.

• 5-axis simultaneous machining

• Tooling and fixturing design

• Ability to work in a manufacturing environment with exposure to machining equipment.

• Ability to spend time on the shop floor supporting production as needed.

• Occasional travel to customer sites or other MSC locations may be required.

• Machining strategy development

• CAM programming and post-processing

• Root cause analysis and problem solving

• Process documentation and standardization

• Cross-functional collaboration

• Customer-facing technical communication

• Must be a U.S. Citizen (as defined by ITAR).

About Us:

The Structures Company is a premier national aerospace and defense staffing agency specializing in contract, contract-to-hire, and direct hire placements. We deliver expert workforce solutions across engineering, IT, production, maintenance, and support roles.

As trusted partners to major aerospace OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers, we connect professionals with opportunities to grow and excel in the aviation and aerospace industries.

Eligibility Requirements:

Must be a U.S. Citizen, lawful permanent resident, or protected individual under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) to comply with ITAR regulations.

Keywords: aerospace, aviation, engineering, maintenance, aircraft design, defense

Take your career to new heights—apply today!

Engineers - #vij