MANUFACTURING ENGINEER

Make an immediate impact. Bascom Hunter is building advanced aerospace and defense hardware. We're looking for a Manufacturing Engineer to develop, scale, and optimize manufacturing processes from prototype through full-rate production. This role bridges design, production, and supply chain to ensure products are built efficiently, sourced effectively, and delivered to the highest quality standards.

What You'll Do

• Develop and optimize manufacturing processes: Define build sequences, tooling, fixturing, and work instructions for precision mechanical and electromechanical assemblies.
• Support new product introduction (NPI): Translate engineering designs into production-ready processes, including process validation, trial builds, and production ramp-up.
• Drive design for manufacturability (DFM/DFA): Partner with design engineering to improve producibility, reduce cost, and ensure robust tolerancing and inspection methods.
• Create and maintain manufacturing documentation: Develop routers, work instructions, inspection plans, and acceptance criteria aligned with engineering and quality requirements.
• Validate production readiness: Plan and execute First Article Inspections (FAI), process qualifications, and capability assessments to ensure stable, repeatable output.
• Improve production performance: Analyze yield, throughput, and cycle times; implement continuous improvement initiatives using lean manufacturing principles.
• Support equipment and tooling selection: Define requirements, support capital justification, and assist with installation and commissioning.
• Resolve production issues: Lead root cause analysis and corrective actions for nonconformances, yield loss, and process variability.
• Collaborate cross-functionally: Work closely with Quality, Supply Chain, and Operations to align on production goals, schedules, and compliance requirements.
• Support sourcing and supplier readiness: Partner with Supply Chain to develop RFQs, define technical requirements, evaluate supplier capabilities, and ensure suppliers can meet manufacturing and quality expectations.
• Contribute to cost and lead-time optimization: Provide should-cost input, process insight, and alternate manufacturing approaches to support competitive sourcing decisions.
• Assist with supplier production readiness: Support supplier process reviews, first builds, and issue resolution to ensure smooth transition from prototype to production.
• Ensure compliance: Adhere to AS9100D, customer specifications, and regulatory requirements, including special processes and inspection standards.

What You'll Bring

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering, or similar (or equivalent experience)
• 2-5 years of experience in manufacturing engineering or production environments for mechanical/electromechanical products
• Strong ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, GD&T, and specifications
• Experience developing manufacturing processes, work instructions, and production documentation
• Familiarity with process validation, First Article Inspection (FAI), and production readiness
• Working knowledge of supplier manufacturing processes and sourcing workflows (RFQs, technical evaluation, cost drivers)
• Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems and data analysis tools (Excel or similar)
• Strong problem-solving skills with hands-on production support experience

Preferred

• Aerospace/defense background or experience in highly regulated industries (AS9100, special processes)
• Experience collaborating with supply chain on supplier selection, development, or cost reduction initiatives
• Knowledge of CNC machining, assembly processes, and precision manufacturing
• Familiarity with should-cost modeling or total-cost analysis
• Knowledge of lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement methodologies
• Familiarity with CAD tools (e.g., SolidWorks, AutoCAD) and PLM/PDM systems
• Exposure to thermal management systems, rotating machinery (fans/pumps), or ECS components

Tools You'll Use
ERP/MRP (Deltek Costpoint or similar), PLM/PDM systems, CAD viewers (e.g., SolidWorks), SPC and measurement tools, MS Office/Teams/SharePoint

Why Bascom Hunter

• High-impact role bridging engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain
• Direct involvement in NPI, supplier readiness, and production scaling
• Growth path in manufacturing leadership and technical operations
• Competitive compensation and benefits; hybrid work flexibility
• Meaningful mission supporting aerospace and defense innovation

Work Environment & Eligibility
Office, lab, and production environments; occasional PPE required; ability to lift up to ~25 lbs; Travel up to 10-30%. Employment requires background check. Due to program requirements, U.S. Citizenship is required.

Equal Employment Opportunity Information
Bascom Hunter is an equal opportunity employer. We recruit, employ, train, compensate, and promote without regard to race, religion, sex, color, national origin, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, disability/veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable law.