Manufacturing Engineer - Equipment Engineering

Equipment Engineer in Palo Alto, CA

Do you enjoy troubleshooting real equipment instead of spending all day behind a desk?

We're looking for an Equipment Engineer who can bridge the gap between engineering and manufacturing; someone with strong electrical fundamentals who enjoys solving complex hardware problems, improving production equipment, and leading technical projects from concept through commissioning. You'll work on high-voltage power systems, test equipment, controls, instrumentation, and legacy production infrastructure that supports mission-critical RF and microwave products used around the world while also helping us prepare for the next gen systems we're bringing on to move to the future.

If you thrive in hands-on environments, enjoy working alongside technicians, and want to modernize equipment that directly impacts production performance, we'd like to talk with you.

About Microwave Power Products (MPP)

At Microwave Power Products (MPP), we design and manufacture advanced RF and microwave technologies used in defense, aerospace, medical, industrial, and scientific applications worldwide. Our products support some of the most demanding environments and missions on the planet. We combine decades of engineering expertise with a culture focused on technical excellence, continuous improvement, and practical problem solving. We became part of the TransDigm Group in 2024.

What You'll Do

Lead Equipment Reliability and Troubleshooting

• Diagnose and resolve electrical, controls, instrumentation, and system-level equipment issues
• Troubleshoot production and test equipment at both the circuit and system level
• Perform root-cause analysis on equipment failures and implement corrective actions
• Support technicians and production teams during critical equipment issues

Modernize and Improve Equipment

• Lead upgrades to aging production and test systems
• Identify opportunities to improve reliability, safety, throughput, and maintainability
• Develop technical requirements and specifications for replacement equipment
• Support commissioning, acceptance testing, and implementation of new systems

Drive Technical Projects

• Manage equipment-related projects from concept through deployment
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders, technicians, and external vendors
• Review vendor proposals for technical fit, performance, safety, and long-term supportability
• Support capital equipment planning and justification activities

Preserve and Transfer Technical Knowledge

• Document legacy equipment and operating methods
• Develop troubleshooting guides, procedures, and training materials
• Mentor technicians and help build organizational technical capability
• Capture critical knowledge before legacy systems and expertise are lost

What You'll Work On

Examples of systems supported by this role include:

• High-voltage power supplies
• Pulse modulators
• PFN systems
• Grid pulse systems
• Mod-anode systems
• Crowbar protection circuits
• Interlock and safety systems
• PLCs and industrial controls
• Instrumentation and data acquisition systems
• RF test equipment
• Klystron test systems
• Traveling Wave Tube (TWT) support equipment
• Magnetron support equipment
• Legacy production and test infrastructure

You do not need prior experience with every system listed above. Strong electrical engineering fundamentals and the ability to learn complex equipment are more important.

What Makes You Successful

You are someone who:

• Enjoys solving real-world hardware problems
• Has strong electrical engineering fundamentals
• Is comfortable working directly on equipment in a manufacturing environment
• Can troubleshoot logically under production pressure
• Communicates effectively with technicians, engineers, and leadership
• Balances immediate production needs with long-term reliability improvements
• Can turn technical challenges into practical action plans
• Is curious, resourceful, and willing to learn complex legacy systems

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Electrical Engineering Technology, or a related field
• Experience troubleshooting electrical, electronic, or industrial equipment
• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics and technical documentation
• Experience with analog, digital, and power circuits
• Experience using electrical test equipment such as oscilloscopes, current probes, differential probes, data acquisition systems, or similar tools
• Experience supporting manufacturing, production, laboratory, test, or industrial environments
• Strong problem-solving and root-cause analysis skills
• Experience with high-voltage systems
• Experience with power electronics, pulse power, or industrial controls
• Experience with PLCs, sensors, relays, and interlock systems
• Experience developing test procedures and commissioning plans
• Experience leading equipment upgrade or capital equipment projects
• Experience working with RF, microwave, vacuum electronics, or related technologies
• Experience evaluating vendor proposals and equipment specifications

This position may involve access to information subject to U.S. export control laws (ITAR/EAR). Access to certain controlled information may be limited to individuals who qualify as "U.S. persons" (generally U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and certain protected individuals). Non-U.S. persons may still apply; however to be eligible for the role, access to controlled information may require U.S. government authorization.

Applicants must be able to comply with applicable export control requirements. For security clearance position, the candidate must be a US citizen with the ability to obtain a U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Security Clearance as required, holding a security clearance is a plus.

Why Engineers Join MPP

• Work on technically challenging equipment that directly impacts production
• Solve complex electrical and system-level problems
• Lead meaningful modernization projects
• Gain exposure to specialized RF and microwave technologies
• Work alongside highly skilled engineers and technicians
• Help preserve and advance critical technologies with global impact

If you're the type of engineer who would rather grab a scope, walk onto the production floor, and solve the problem firsthand than spend your entire day in meetings, we'd like to hear from you.

What We Offer

• Salary range: $80,000 to $110,000 annually depending on experience, with candidates possessing 1–2 years of applicable hands-on experience generally aligning toward the higher end of the range.
• Be part of a high-impact engineering team solving real-world technical challenges
• Grow into a Senior Engineer role with increasing leadership and ownership
• Work onsite in a collaborative lab and manufacturing environment where your work directly impacts production
• Contribute to the future of defense and aerospace technology
• Well-structured benefits package including:
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Generous 401(k) match
• Commuter benefits within the Stanford Research Park
• Complimentary EV charging
• Paid time off and holidays
• Training and opportunities for skill development and growth

Our Workplace Commitment

We value the unique and diverse skills, qualities, and backgrounds that each employee brings to MPP, and we respect each employee as an integral member of our growing team. MPP is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all current and prospective employees, as well as to promoting a culture of inclusion and respect for everyone. We celebrate the innovation that diversity creates in the work environment, and we recognize that each employee brings their own unique capabilities, experiences, and perspectives to the organization. It is this variety that adds value to our teams,