Manufacturing Engineer - Effectors

Location: The Greater Los Angeles Metropolitan Area, CA (Onsite)

If you're interested in learning more about this opportunity or beginning the interview process, feel free to connect directly via LinkedIn:

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Manufacturing Engineer - Effectors

An advanced aerospace and defense technology company is seeking a hands-on Manufacturing Engineer to help scale next-generation interceptor and autonomous defense systems from prototype development into high-rate production.

This role sits at the intersection of product engineering, manufacturing strategy, and production execution. The ideal candidate will bring strong Design for Manufacturing & Assembly (DFMA) experience, a deep understanding of producibility, and practical experience scaling hardware from low-volume development into repeatable, cost-optimized manufacturing environments.

This is a highly collaborative and hands-on position for someone who enjoys working directly with hardware, influencing design decisions early, and helping build manufacturing capability from the ground up.
Responsibilities
Design for Manufacturing & Assembly (DFMA)

• Lead DFMA reviews throughout concept development, design reviews, prototyping, and production readiness phases
• Influence hardware designs for manufacturability, scalability, cost efficiency, and assembly optimization
• Evaluate tolerance stack-ups, GD&T strategies, joining methods, and assembly flow
• Help simplify part counts, interfaces, fastener strategies, and production processes
• Develop assembly sequencing approaches optimized for throughput and takt time
• Support material and process selection decisions with a focus on scalable production

Producibility & Production Engineering

• Perform producibility assessments, process capability evaluations, and yield analysis
• Develop manufacturing plans, work instructions, routing flows, and MBOM structures
• Support make-versus-buy decisions alongside supply chain and operations teams
• Identify tooling, fixture, and capital equipment requirements needed for scale-up
• Analyze bottlenecks, cycle times, and production rate sensitivities
• Drive process improvements focused on throughput, quality, and cost reduction

Prototype & Transition-to-Production Support

• Support manual prototype builds, assembly activities, and early production efforts
• Provide hands-on troubleshooting support during pilot builds and ramp activities
• Participate in root cause investigations and corrective action implementation
• Support First Article Inspection (FAI), qualification efforts, and production validation
• Collaborate closely with design, quality, supply chain, and test engineering teams
• Assist with supplier readiness, manufacturing transfers, and production scaling initiatives

Continuous Improvement & Factory Scaling

• Develop scalable manufacturing strategies for high-rate production environments
• Implement automation, poka-yoke, and error-proofing concepts where appropriate
• Support MES, ERP, and PLM manufacturing workflows
• Analyze yield, cost, rework, and throughput metrics to improve manufacturing performance
• Help establish long-term production infrastructure and scalable manufacturing operations

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or related STEM field
• 5+ years of experience in aerospace, defense, automotive, robotics, semiconductor, or other high-rate manufacturing environments
• Strong DFMA and producibility engineering experience
• Experience transitioning hardware from development/prototype phases into production
• Working knowledge of:
  • GD&T (ASME Y14.5)
  • Tolerance stack-up analysis
  • Manufacturing process capability concepts (Cp/Cpk)
  • Root cause methodologies (8D, RCCA, Fishbone, etc.)
• Experience developing:
  • Manufacturing documentation
  • MBOMs
  • Work instructions
  • Process flows
  • Production routing sequences
• Proficiency with CAD tools such as SolidWorks, Creo, CATIA, or similar
• Ability to work hands-on in fast-paced development and production environments
• U.S. citizenship required; ability to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance required

Preferred Experience

• Missile, interceptor, UAV, autonomous system, or aerospace hardware manufacturing
• High-rate production scaling experience (100k+ units/year environments strongly valued)
• Startup or greenfield manufacturing build-out experience
• Automated assembly systems or robotics integration
• Composites, harness integration, or electromechanical assembly experience
• Experience with PLM, MES, or ERP manufacturing systems
• Experience conducting Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL) assessments
• Exposure to contract manufacturing, supplier industrialization, or production transfer activities

What Makes This Opportunity Unique

This role offers the opportunity to help build a manufacturing capability from the ground up inside a rapidly scaling aerospace and defense environment.

The team is looking for engineers who can bridge product development and manufacturing execution - people who understand not only how to design hardware, but also how to build it efficiently, repeatedly, and at scale.

You'll have significant ownership early, working directly with prototype hardware today while helping shape long-term production strategy for future high-rate manufacturing operations.
Additional Information

• Competitive compensation and equity package
• Comprehensive healthcare coverage
• 401(k) matching
• PTO flexibility
• Relocation assistance may be available
• Full-time onsite collaboration environment
• U.S. citizenship required due to security and export control requirements

Location: The Greater Los Angeles Metropolitan Area, CA (Onsite)

To learn more or express interest, connect directly via LinkedIn:

LinkedIn: