Aerospace Finishing Lead

Ascentec Engineering is hiring a Finishing Lead for our Dallas, Oregon location.

The Finishing Lead is responsible for leading, developing, and supporting Deburr/Finishing Technicians working on precision-machined aerospace components. This role ensures all finishing operations including deburring, blending, edge-breaking, sanding, tumbling, lapping, cleaning, and hardware preparation are performed to aerospace quality standards and customer specifications.

The Lead provides day-to-day leadership, technical training, workflow coordination, and hands-on support to ensure safety, quality, on-time delivery, and process discipline across all shifts. This is a working-lead position requiring proficiency with powered hand tools, knowledge of aerospace finishing methods, and strong capability in team development.

This position is onsite (not remote/not hybrid) and is not eligible for Visa sponsorship or transfer of Visa sponsorship.

Job Responsibilities:

• Provide daily leadership to all Finishing/Deburr Technicians.
• Promote a culture of safety, accountability, continuous improvement, and disciplined execution.
• Coordinate daily work assignments, priorities, and WIP flow for the Finishing Department.
• Ensure accurate staging, verification, and closure of job operations in the ERP/MES system.
• Support development and implementation of standardized work and updated tech cards.
• Support planning and cross functional communication between Machining, Quality, and Assembly.
• Monitor throughput, efficiency, takt time expectations, and productivity against shift goals.

Technical Finishing Expertise:

Perform and train others on aerospace-level finishing operations, including:

• Manual and powered deburr
• Surface refinement: sanding, blending, polishing, lapping
• Edge breaking, Burr removal on complex geometries, small features, and tight-tolerance components
• Part cleaning, washing, ultrasonic wash, and contamination-control standards
• Perform finishing using tools such as: DA sanders, pneumatic grinders, die grinders, Dremel, orbital sanders, hand files, scrapers, torque drivers, and various abrasive media.
• Inspect finished surfaces visually and with standard metrology tools per customer, engineering, and AS9100 requirements.

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum 3 years of experience working with precision machine parts in aerospace, defense, medical device, or equivalent regulated industry.
• Minimum 2 years of leadership or supervisor-level experience in a production or manufacturing environment.
• Proficient in powered and manual finishing tools (DA sander, drills, Dremel, die grinder, torque tools, hand files, scrapers, etc.).
• Experience with deburring, sanding, lapping, tumbling, and detailed finishing operations on metals and/or aerospace alloys.
• Ability to read and interpret customer drawings, engineering specs, visual standards, and process sheets.
• Ability to lift to 50 lbs. and stand for extended periods.
• High integrity and strong work ethic.
• Self-motivated with the ability to work independently and lead others.
• Reliability, professionalism, and strong communication skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, changing environment.
• Team-oriented, flexible, and committed to supporting production priorities.
• Strong attention to detail, organization, and follow-through.
• Willingness to work flexible hours or overtime based on production needs.

Compensation/Benefits:

• $26 - $31 per hour DOE
• Paid time off / Holiday pay
• Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance
• Short- and long-term disability coverage
• 401(k) with matching funds
• Profit sharing eligibility
• Educational aid program availability

 Applicant must be able to pass a drug screen and criminal background check prior to employment.

ITAR REQUIREMENTS: To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. 

Ascentec Engineering is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Ascentec Engineering is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.