Senior Manufacturing Engineer

At ispace U.S., we're not just going to the Moon-we're redefining how we get there. Our missions push the boundaries of human and robotic exploration, driven by our belief: "Expand our Planet. Expand our Future." By providing cost-effective lunar transportation, we are pioneering a future where space is within reach for scientific discovery, commercial ventures, and sustainable exploration.


With locations in Japan, Luxembourg, and the United States, ispace is rapidly growing and leading the way in lunar exploration and development. Our U.S. branch is based in Englewood, Colorado, and focuses on high-capacity payload lunar landers designed to support future lunar missions. Our team is made up of innovators, problem-solvers, and visionaries committed to making space more accessible and fostering the next generation of space exploration.


Let's go to the Moon together! Our team is growing, and we are actively seeking talented individuals who share our passion for space.


Ispace-Us is seeking an experienced Senior Manufacturing Engineer to join our growing AI&T team. Reporting to the AI&T Manager, the Sr. Manufacturing Engineer will develop and implement optimal, cost-effective manufacturing processes and methods in accordance with product specifications and quality standards. This role will be supporting manufacturing issues on existing product designs and assisting new hardware development in the early design phase, providing critical design for manufacturability input and supporting testing of these assemblies, while developing and implementing the plan to move from design/test into build/production.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop production procedures/processes and manage the transition of components and module assemblies from development to production.
• Develop, qualify, and refine manufacturing processes to meet all requirements including safety, quality, efficiency, and delivery.
• Ensure integration procedures are continuously evolving to reflect the most efficient assembly practices.
• Lead team in production readiness reviews for transition from development into full-rate program production.
• Advise team members on technical decisions related to assigned products and act as responsible manufacturing engineer for non-conformances and work instruction creation
• Part owner in change management process. Field ECN's in order of impact to schedule
• Resolve Manufacturing discrepancies in real time in order to provide timely path forward
• Lead Process Improvement initiatives across floor with labor and cost reductions in mind.
• Document and provide resolution to non-conformances and collaborate with the quality team to implement root cause corrective actions.
• Identify capital tooling and work center capability needs and lead the efforts of standing up key production capabilities.
• Design Manufacturing Support Equipment
• Author assembly instructions
• Act as a point of contact for Assembly , Test, & Integration activities for Ispace-Us with any vendors.
• Represent ispace culture by living Our Values (Diversity, Integrity, Respect, Collaboration, Accountability) and reflecting Our Way (Get People Involved, Prove by Action, Go Beyond Convention).
• Work cross functionally and hold oneself accountable to deliver on commitments with minimal oversight.
• Contribute to resource estimation and schedule planning efforts.
• Identify and document program risks, attempting to resolve independently or escalating as appropriate.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing, Mechanical, or Industrial Engineering, or related discipline
• 10+ years of manufacturing engineering experience.
• Proven ability to develop, qualify, and refine manufacturing processes to meet safety, quality, efficiency, and schedule requirements.
• Experience leading production readiness reviews and managing transitions from development into full-rate production.
• Demonstrated success authoring work instructions, assembly procedures, and manufacturing process documentation.
• Experience documenting and dispositioning non-conformances, performing root cause analysis, and implementing corrective actions.
• Familiarity with Engineering Change Notice (ECN) and change management processes.
• Experience designing or specifying manufacturing support equipment and tooling.
• Ability to work cross-functionally with design, systems, test, quality, and vendor teams to resolve manufacturing issues in real time.
• Working knowledge of AS9100, ISO 9001, or equivalent quality management systems.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to deliver on commitments with minimal oversight in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience contributing to resource estimation, schedule planning, and program risk identification.

What Makes You Stand Out!

• Masters or higher degree in Manufacturing, Mechanical, or Industrial Engineering, or related discipline
• Experience in aerospace, spacecraft, launch vehicle, or satellite manufacturing environments.
• Familiarity with avionics or electromechanical assembly, integration, and space-grade handling standards.
• Experience with New Product Introduction (NPI) and transitioning products from R&D into production.
• Background leading Lean, Six Sigma, or similar continuous improvement initiatives; Green Belt or Black Belt a plus.
• Experience identifying capital tooling needs and standing up new production work centers.
• Proficiency with CAD tools (e.g., SolidWorks, CATIA, NX) for design review and manufacturing support equipment.
• Experience with PLM/MES or ERP systems (e.g., Windchill, Arena, SAP) for BOM management and work order execution.
• Familiarity with NASA or DoD manufacturing standards (e.g., NASA-STD-8739, J-STD-001, IPC-A-610).
• Experience with ITAR-controlled hardware and export compliance requirements.

$126,000 - $189,000 a year

The salary posted is a targeted range for budget of position. Base compensation can be negotiated and will be commensurate with experience, skills, education, and training.

We welcome candidates with diverse experience levels and evaluate the best fit on an individual basis. Your final job level and salary will be determined based on your skills, experience, and the impact you can bring to the role.

• Health Coverage: Competitive medical, vision, and dental plans, with 100% company-paid options available for employees.
• Hybrid Work: Flexibility to work remotely and in-office, depending on your role and the stage of our program.
• Commuter Perks: Company-paid RTD EcoPass for buses and light rail.
• Lunch Perks: Monthly stipend to enjoy meals from our café.
• Paid Time Off: 18 vacation days, 6 sick days, and 17 paid holidays.
• Retirement: 401(k) plan with company matching.
• Travel: Opportunities for domestic and international travel.
• Stock Options: Participation in our stock option program.
• Learning & Development: Ample opportunities to grow, including lunch-and-learns, skills training, and stipends for professional development.
• Team Culture: A fun and casual environment with regular team gatherings, including monthly TGIF events to connect and unwind.

#LI-LH1

At ispace, we believe that diverse perspectives drive innovation. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and experiences, even if you don't meet every listed requirement. If you're passionate about our mission and think you can contribute, we encourage you to apply. Your unique skills and experiences may be exactly what we need to grow and succeed together.


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. Learn more about the ITAR.here.


ispace is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with ispace 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.


All applicants who are offered employment with ispace US will be subject to a background investigation. Offers of employment are contingent on the successful completion of a background investigation conducted in accordance with Company policies and all applicable laws.

ispace Technologies, US, Inc. is a drug-free workplace.


ispace Technologies, US, Inc. participates in the E-Verify program.


We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.