Manufacturing Manager - Precision Machining & Fabrication

Job Summary Blair Engineering is seeking an experienced Manufacturing Manager to lead shop operations at our facility in San Luis Obispo, CA. Candidates must either be local to the area or willing to relocate. Blair Engineering manufactures high-speed turbomachinery and specialized industrial equipment. Much of our work involves custom, low-volume, precision-machined and fabricated components that require tight tolerances, strong quality control, and close coordination between manufacturing, engineering, inspection, purchasing, and project management. This is primarily a leadership and people-management role. The Manufacturing Manager is responsible for leading shop personnel, setting expectations, maintaining accountability, developing employees, improving workflow, and ensuring production priorities are clearly understood and executed. The ideal candidate does not need to be the best machinist, programmer, welder, or inspector in the shop. However, they must have enough manufacturing experience and knowledge to understand the work, ask the right questions, identify issues, and lead skilled personnel effectively. Key Responsibilities Lead, manage, and support shop personnel, including machinists, programmers, welders, operators, inspectors, and related manufacturing staff Set clear expectations for safety, quality, schedule, communication, and performance Hold employees accountable in a fair, consistent, and professional manner Coordinate shop priorities across CNC machining, fabrication, welding, inspection, assembly support, and outside processing Help plan workflow based on delivery requirements, material availability, inspection needs, outside processing, and shop capacity Help maintain a clean, organized, safe, and productive manufacturing environment Communicate production status, schedule risks, staffing needs, and shop issues to management What We're Looking For We are looking for someone with proven experience leading people in a manufacturing, machining, fabrication, or industrial production environment. Technical manufacturing knowledge is important, but leadership ability is the most important requirement for this role. The right candidate should be able to manage a team, communicate clearly, maintain accountability, and help skilled personnel perform at a high level.

Qualified candidates should have:

Strong people-management and leadership experience Experience supervising skilled shop, manufacturing, or industrial personnel Ability to set expectations and hold employees accountable Strong organizational, planning, and follow-through skills Ability to lead through changing priorities, schedule pressure, and production challenges Strong communication skills with both shop and office personnel Practical understanding of manufacturing, machining, fabrication, inspection, and production workflow Willingness to be present on the shop floor and directly engaged with the team Preferred Qualifications 10+ years of experience in manufacturing, machining, fabrication, or industrial production 5+ years of supervisory, management, or team leadership experience Experience managing machinists, programmers, welders, operators, inspectors, or similar skilled personnel Experience improving workflow, accountability, scheduling, or shop organization Experience supporting hiring, training, performance reviews, and employee development Experience with CNC machining, welding, fabrication, inspection, or custom industrial equipment is helpful Degree in manufacturing engineering, industrial engineering, business, or a related field is helpful but not required for highly experienced candidates

Pay:

$120,000.00 - $170,000.00 per year

Benefits:

401(k) Dental insurance Health insurance Paid time off Vision insurance Application Question(s): How many people have you directly managed in a manufacturing, machining, fabrication, or industrial environment? Describe your experience leading skilled shop or manufacturing personnel.

Experience:

supervisory, management, or team leadership: 2 years (Required) Ability to

Commute:

San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 (Required)

Work Location:

In person