Heat Treat and Post-Processing Lead

Position Summary

COTA Aviation is seeking an experienced, hands-on manufacturing professional to establish and develop its in-house heat treatment capabilities. This role combines equipment commissioning, process development, technical problem-solving, production support, and workforce training, with the opportunity to help shape a new department from the ground up. This position would report directly to the Manufacturing Manager.

The immediate focus will be commissioning COTA’s carburizing and tempering equipment, developing reliable and repeatable processes, and supporting the Quality Department with the technical requirements for NADCAP accreditation. Quality will remain responsible for managing audits and accreditation activities.

As operations mature, the successful candidate will take increasing responsibility for coordinating daily activities, mentoring personnel, and improving departmental performance, with the potential to progress into formal team or departmental leadership.

Primary Responsibilities

Heat Treatment and Process Development

- Support the installation, commissioning, qualification, and production launch of carburizing and tempering equipment.
- Develop and maintain heat treatment processes, operating procedures, maintenance schedules, inspection methods, and records that meet applicable customer specifications and industry standards.
- Identify and recommend the tooling, instrumentation, testing, and inspection equipment needed to qualify and sustain operations.
- Provide technical procedures, process controls,



and supporting records for Quality-led NADCAP accreditation and ongoing compliance.
- Work with Manufacturing, Engineering, and Quality to integrate heat treatment into production, including relevant gear manufacturing processes.
- Troubleshoot technical challenges, investigate process variation, and improve consistency, capability, and repeatability.

Training, Quality, and Emerging Leadership

- Develop practical training materials, operator qualification requirements, and methods for assessing competency.
- Provide hands-on instruction and mentorship to operators, apprentices, co-op students, and technical personnel, emphasizing safety and process discipline.
- Support process monitoring, root cause investigations, corrective actions, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Serve as a technical resource across departments while progressively coordinating production priorities, personnel development, and day-to-day activities.

Potential Future Post-Processing Development COTA is evaluating opportunities to bring additional finishing capabilities in-house, potentially including phosphating, anodizing, and painting. Subject to business needs and company approval,



this role may help assess equipment and facility requirements, develop procedures and training, and support implementation of approved processes.

Ideal Background The ideal candidate combines practical manufacturing experience, sound technical judgment, initiative, and an interest in developing people. Previous formal management experience is not essential, but demonstrated leadership potential is important.

- Experience in heat treatment, thermal processing, or closely related precision metal manufacturing.
- Ability to interpret technical specifications, establish process controls, document procedures, and resolve manufacturing problems.
- Clear communication, collaborative problem-solving, mentorship skills, and willingness to assume growing operational responsibility.
- Additional assets include aerospace heat treatment and NADCAP familiarity, metallic finishing, metrology, quality systems (AS9100, ISO9001 etc.), and technical instruction.

What Success Looks Like

- Equipment commissioned and supported by stable, documented, production-ready heat treatment processes.
- Competent operators, improving production performance, and effective technical support for Quality-led accreditation.
- A trusted technical leader prepared to assume greater departmental responsibility and contribute to future approved capabilities.

Pay: $30.00-$45.00 per hour

Perks

- Dental care
- Extended health care
- On-site parking
- Paid time off

Work Location: In person

📌 Heat Treat & Post Processing Lead (Parksville)
🏢 COTA Aviation
📍 Parksville