Staff Manufacturing Engineer

Job ID: 8898Req ID: 1711Location: Charleston, SC, USA; Fort Worth, TX, USAPosted: 2026-09-29Job Family: Manufacturing & OperationsJob Function: Manufacturing EngineeringPay Type: SalaryTravel Required: true Company Information: Twenty-Six Defense, headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, is a leading provider of high-performance products, system solutions, and aftermarket support services focusing on the defense, homeland security, and commercial aviation markets. With facilities throughout the U.S., Twenty-Six Defense is dedicated to supporting those who contribute to the national security of the United States. Twenty-Six Defense is wholly owned by Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ: ESLT and TASE: ESLT), a global high-technology company engaged in a wide range of programs for innovative defense and commercial applications. Summary of ResponsibilitiesJob SummaryThe Staff Manufacturing Engineer at Elbit Systems of America will play a key role in establishing a new greenfield munitions facility, guiding its development from initial concepts through full-rate production. This role oversees technology transfer and leads the design, development, and launch of Assembly, Integration, and Test (AI&T) production lines for Class 3 UAVs and air to ground missile systems, including warhead integration.The successful candidate will shape major elements of the facility and production system design, ensuring safe, efficient, and scalable operations. Responsibilities include creating and refining manufacturing processes, defining equipment and tooling needs, designing production layouts, and developing test infrastructure and operating systems that support both initial and high-rate production. Success in the role requires deep knowledge of relevant products and manufacturing methods to accelerate facility stand up while effectively applying lessons learned. The position collaborates closely with senior leadership across the division and the broader company.Responsibilities and TasksGreenfield Facility & Production Line DevelopmentServe as the key Manufacturing Engineering lead for the establishment and startup of the new munitions manufacturing facility.Develop the overall manufacturing concept for assembly, integration, and test operations associated with dissimilar productsTranslate product requirements, production forecasts, and rate requirements into manufacturing capacity and infrastructure requirements.Develop production layouts incorporating material flow, work cells, inspection points, test operations, tooling, equipment, and support areas.Define requirements for manufacturing equipment, tooling, fixtures, test equipment, material-handling systems, and production infrastructure.Support equipment specification, sourcing, installation, commissioning, and production qualification.Participate in facility design reviews to ensure the building and infrastructure support manufacturing requirements.Develop manufacturing readiness plans and drive actions required to achieve initial production and subsequent rate increases.Assembly, Integration & TestDevelop safe, repeatable, and efficient manufacturing processes for product assembly, integration, inspection, and test.Develop tooling and fixture concepts and coordinate their design, fabrication, qualification, and implementation.Define manufacturing inspection points, acceptance criteria, process controls, and verification requirements.Support prototype and first-article builds and transition products from engineering development into production.Drive process capability, repeatability, defect reduction, yield improvement, and cycle-time reduction.Production Readiness & RampDevelop capacity models for labor, equipment, tooling, test assets, and floor space.Establish staffing assumptions, and production balancing.Identify production constraints and develop plans to eliminate bottlenecks before they impact rate.Support development of training and certification requirements for production personnel. Cross-Functional LeadershipWork closely with Operations, Design Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Facilities, EHS, Security, Program Management, Configuration Management, and Test Engineering.Participate in design reviews, manufacturing readiness reviews, production readiness reviews, and configuration/change-control activities.Ensure engineering changes are effectively incorporated into manufacturing processes, tooling, work instructions, and production configuration.Communicate manufacturing readiness, risks, constraints, capital requirements, and recovery plans to site and division leadership.Serve as a technical manufacturing resource to leadership during facility startup and production ramp. Continuous ImprovementEstablish Lean manufacturing principles as part of the initial production system.Implement visual management, standard work, 5S, mistake-proofing, point-of-use material, and structured problem-solving methodologies.Use production data to identify opportunities for improvements in safety, quality, cost, schedule, and throughput.Develop manufacturing processes with scalability and future automation in mind. Safety, Quality & ComplianceEnsure manufacturing processes are developed and operated in accordance with applicable company, customer, regulatory, quality, environmental, health, and safety requirements.Partner with EHS and appropriate subject-matter experts to incorporate applicable energetic-material and munitions safety requirements into facility and process design.Support implementation of appropriate process controls, material traceability, configuration control, documentation, and quality records.Participate in process risk assessments, PFMEAs, safety reviews, and manufacturing readiness assessments.Help establish a culture where safety is the fundamental element of the production system. Knowledge (Education/License/Certification, Prior Experience)Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical discipline. Typically 14+ years of manufacturing engineering experience in aerospace, defense, or other complex manufacturing environments. Demonstrated experience developing or improving assembly and production processes. Ability to work effectively across engineering, operations, quality, supply chain, facilities, and program organizations. Ability to operate successfully in an ambiguous, fast-paced greenfield environment where systems and processes are still being established. Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate manufacturing risks and recommendations to senior leadership. Ability to handle multiple high priorities; comfort with ambiguity; internally driven and excels under pressure Proactively implements business and professional improvements Ability to support the organizational culture and build morale Work ModelThis role will begin as a remote position during early planning stages. Following the build‑out and initial operational setup, the position will transition to full on‑site work, with relocation required . The estimated timeline for relocation is approximately 12 to 18 months.Travel RequirementsFrequent travel will be required throughout facility design, engineering, and construction phases. This includes domestic travel to prospective site locations and project partners, as well as occasional international travel to Israel for coordination with global teams and technical specialists. #LI-TS1 Here Are Some of the Great Benefits We Offer: Most locations offer a 9/80 schedule, providing every other Friday off Competitive compensation & 401(k) program to plan for your future Robust medical, dental, vision, & disability coverage with qualified wellness discounts Basic Life Insurance and Additional Life & AD&D Insurances are available Flexible Vacation & PTO Paid Parental Leave Generous Employee Referral Program Voluntary Benefits Available: Longer Term Care, Legal, Identity Theft, Pet Insurance, and more Voluntary Tricare Supplement available for military retirees This job description does not list all the duties of the job. You may be asked by your supervisors or managers to perform other duties. The employer has the right to revise this job description at any time. The job description is not an employment contract. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position. Twenty-Six Defense is an equal opportunity employer as to all protected groups, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. *For Virginia-based positions only* In accordance with Virginia DOL requirements, the listed salary range reflects the anticipated base pay range for this role. Actual compensation will be determined based on factors including skills, experience, education, certifications, business needs, internal equity, and geographic location. Compensation may vary in different locations based on market conditions and cost-of-labor considerations. Please ensure your résumé meets the Dayforce upload requirements. Dayforce supports résumé files up to 4 MB. 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