Lead, Manufacturing Engineer- Composites

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L3Harris is the Trusted Disruptor in defense tech. With customers’ mission-critical needs always in mind, our employees deliver end-to-end technology solutions connecting the space, air, land, sea and cyber domains in the interest of national security.

Job Title: Lead Manufacturing Engineer

Job Code: 40443

Job Location: Huntsville, AL-AMF South

Job Schedule : 4/10: Employees work 10 hour days, 4 days a week

Job Description:

We are seeking a Lead , Manufacturing Engineer to work at our new state-of-the-art Advanced Manufacturing Facility (AMF-South) in Huntsville, AL , which will be our inert manufacturing facility for fabrication and assembly of composite rocket motor hardware.

The Manufacturing Engineer is a senior professional with strong knowledge of job area and broad knowledge of project management. Manages complex projects or processes with general oversight. Communicates within and outside of own function to gain cooperation on operational processes, practices, and procedures. Makes moderate to substantial improvements to systems and processes. Contributes to achievement of departmental goals and operating plans with direct impact on the departmental results.

This is a dynamic team that requires motivated, self-starting individuals with hands-on experience. Manufacturing Engineers lead process management activities and create associated documentation for their assigned processes. They must be able to follow company procedures and requirements for the manufacture of advanced, man-rated, and high value aerospace hardware.

Essential Functions:

• Manages large, complex, and high‑visibility manufacturing projects with minimal oversight, often involving cross‑functional teams and tight customer or program constraints.
• Leads process development, optimization, and troubleshooting for advanced fabrication methods, composite layup, curing, machining, and assembly.
• Drives significant improvements in manufacturing systems, workflows, and technologies; may also contribute to the creation of new tools, fixtures, methods, or production concepts.
• Communicates effectively across engineering, operations, suppliers, customers, and leadership, influencing others to adopt new approaches and process changes.
• Performs complex root cause analysis, develops corrective/preventive actions, and implements robust long‑term solutions involving multiple functional areas.
• Develops and executes operational plans for the manufacturing engineering function with short‑term measurable impact on program and business performance.
• Provides guidance, coaching, and technical leadership to engineers and technicians across the company, supporting skill development within the manufacturing engineering discipline.
• Ensures compliance with industry standards, customer requirements, and internal quality systems; contributes to audit readiness and manufacturing risk reduction.
• Travel: 5% travel may be required to support suppliers or other manufacturing sites, however, in times of high demand, more travel may be necessary.
• Occasional off-shift work required to support manufacturing schedules.
• Ability to obtain US Secret Security Clearence.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree with 9 years Manufacturing Engineering experience, Graduate Degree with 6 years Manufacturing Engineering experience. In lieu of a degree, minimum of 12 years of prior Manufacturing Engineering experience.

Preferred Additional Skills:

• Surface preparation for bonding rubber, insulation, metallic, and composite substrates.
• Experience in composite tape wrapping, including process development and machine programming.
• Hand layup and cure of insulation and composite materials.
• Experience writing specifications and supporting procurement for new manufacturing equipment.
• Experience with composite rocket motor nozzle fabrication.
• Structural bonding of metallic and composite substrates.
• Programming, operation, and qualification of composite cure ovens and/or autoclaves.
• Precision assembly of aerospace hardware.
• Strong GD&T background supporting part validation and tooling/fixture development.
• CAD modeling experience.
• Experience with tape wrap lathes, robotic systems, presses, ovens, winders, CNC machines, cutting tables, and/or autoclaves.
• Strong cross‑functional communication skills.
• Strong problem‑solving and root cause analysis skills.
• Adaptable to a changing work environment.

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L3Harris Technologies is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. L3Harris is committed to treating all employees and applicants for employment with respect and dignity and maintaining a workplace that is free from unlawful discrimination. All applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or other related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, characteristic or membership in any other group protected by federal, state or local laws. L3Harris maintains a drug-free workplace and performs pre-employment substance abuse testing and background checks, where permitted by law.

Please be aware many of our positions require the ability to obtain a security clearance. Security clearances may only be granted to U.S. citizens. In addition, applicants who accept a conditional offer of employment may be subject to government security investigation(s) and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.

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