Aidan Davies
Billings,MT
Summary
Manufacturing & operations leader with 11+ years of experience across CNC programming, manufacturing engineering, ERP systems, lights-out automation, ISO 9001 quality, and large-team management. Proven ability to run complex factory operations, deliver major CAPEX projects, and improve cost, quality, and schedule performance. Strong record of building lean processes, leading cross-functional teams, and supporting high-reliability manufacturing environments.
Overview
2026
2026
years of professional experience
Work History
Operations Manager – Ranch & Feedlot
Stovall Ranches LLC & Yellowstone Cattle Feeders
2025 - Current
- Managed 100,000+ acres of ranch land across cow-calf, feedlot, and genetics operations
- Led feed crew, heavy-equipment operators, and ranch hands in daily production activity
- Directed infrastructure projects: water systems (wells, pumps, tanks), roads, fencing, gates
- Oversaw feed scheduling & herd health logistics for 60,000+ finished cattle annually
- Controlled operating budgets, input cost optimization, contracting, and vendor management
- Implemented structured task planning, safety practices, and performance routines
- Reported operational status directly to ownership; supported long-term ranch planning
Manufacturing Engineer & Machine Shop Manager
Advanced Pressure Systems (APS) – Shape Technologies Group
01.2023 - 01.2025
- Led 23 machinists, 7 inspectors, and 5 assembly techs in a high-mix CNC environment
- Owned routings, BOM accuracy, tooling, fixturing, quality, and daily production support
- Served as ERP routing admin: labor standards, material standards, cost structures, WO control
- Managed full facility relocation (50k–80k sq ft): layout, utilities, equipment moves, workflow
- Led automation: Robodrill-Fanuc cell, TMAC, Wolfram OnTakt; improved uptime & throughput
- Introduced lean production changes; reduced scrap, improved cycle time and labor cost
- Supported customer-facing engineering
Advanced Manufacturing Engineer
Weatherford International
2022 - 2023
- Supported machining & production teams through tooling and workflow optimization - designed and published new standard work instructions after a facility move
- Served as product champion overseeing Weatherford International's Well Screen / Sand Screen product line & facilities
- Managed master routers, set cost, and monitored open WO's using Oracle's - J.D. Edwards ERP system
- Trained a new workforce on all manufacturing processes after a facility relocation
Manufacturing Engineer / CNC Programmer
National Oilwell Varco (NOV)
01.2020 - 01.2022
- Led end of year cost roll & variance analysis for material usage, labor, and routing accuracy
- Conducted DFM reviews & engineering change management using Oracle + Teamcenter
- Programmed CNC equipment using ESPRIT; designed tooling/fixturing in SolidWorks
- Managed ERP routings, BOMs, labor plans, and production workflows
Manufacturing Specialist – Prototyping & Engineering
Safespill Systems
01.2018 - 01.2019
- Performed CAD modeling and CNC programming for prototype components
- Supported R&D builds, fire-testing programs, and rapid prototype development
- Provided design change feedback to engineering based on DFM and prototype testing outcomes
- Applied Lean & 5S to improve prototyping efficiency and workflow
- Was the 8th employee of this start-up, serving as the only manufacturing technician throughout the duration of our first PO to DOW Chemical
Precision Optics Manufacturing Technician
Optimax Systems
01.2014 - 2018
- Manufactured aerospace & defense optical components to sub-micron tolerances
- Built foundational skills in precision machining, grinding & polishing, optical coating, metrology, quality, and advanced GD&T
- Worked on ITAR protected projects
- ISO 9001:2015, ISO 10110, ISO 17025
Education
Mechanical Engineering
University of Houston
Pre-Mechanical Engineering
San Jacinto College
Skills
- Manufacturing Engineering
- CNC Programming
- ESPRIT, SolidWorks, Inventor
- Machine Shop Leadership
- Lean, 5S
- ERP (Oracle) Administration
- Automation & Robotics (Fanuc, UR)
- ISO 9001, MIL-PRF
- DFM
- Engineering Change Control
- Cost Analysis
- Project Management
- Lights-Out, Unmanned Manufacturing
Timeline
Manufacturing Engineer & Machine Shop Manager
Advanced Pressure Systems (APS) – Shape Technologies Group
01.2023 - 01.2025
Manufacturing Engineer / CNC Programmer
National Oilwell Varco (NOV)
01.2020 - 01.2022
Manufacturing Specialist – Prototyping & Engineering
Safespill Systems
01.2018 - 01.2019
Precision Optics Manufacturing Technician
Optimax Systems
01.2014 - 2018
Operations Manager – Ranch & Feedlot
Stovall Ranches LLC & Yellowstone Cattle Feeders
2025 - Current
Advanced Manufacturing Engineer
Weatherford International
2022 - 2023
Mechanical Engineering
University of Houston
Pre-Mechanical Engineering
San Jacinto College