Sr. Manufacturing Engineer

Sr. Manufacturing Engineer

The Sr. Manufacturing Engineer is responsible for developing, standardizing, and maintaining the company's manufacturing cost structure. This role will lead the transformation from a tribal-knowledge-driven costing approach to a modern, data-driven system that supports accurate quoting, pricing, margin analysis, and operational decision-making. The engineer will also create documentation of part numbering linked to commonality and manufacturing requirements to improve traceability, planning, and manufacturability. This position requires strong analytical capability, deep understanding of manufacturing processes, and the ability to collaborate across Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, and Finance.

Primary Responsibilities

• Using Design of Experience (DOE), or equivalent multi-variable statical analysis to optimize molds.
• Develop and optimize manufacturing processes to improve efficiency, quality, and repeatability.
• Provide manufacturing engineering support for production operations and new program launches.
• Support new product introduction, process validation, and first article inspections.
• Design, implement, and support tooling, fixtures, production aids, and automated manufacturing systems.
• Lead project management for complex automation and capital projects, including requirements definition, vendor selection, cost justification, and implementation.
• Manage multiple projects and external vendors to ensure automation projects meet technical, schedule, and cost objectives.
• Define manufacturing process plans, routings, and BOM structures aligned with actual shop-floor practices.
• Establish and validate labor standards, machine rates, setup times, and run times.
• Develop and maintain standardized, data-driven manufacturing cost models across product families.
• Identify and analyze cost drivers for material, labor, overhead, scrap, yield, and automation ROI.
• Partner with Supply Chain to validate purchased part costs and supplier cost drivers.
• Partner with Finance to align cost models, capital investments, quoting, pricing, and margin requirements.
• Influence the design of injection molding and tooling.
• Audit existing routings, costs, standards, and automation assumptions to eliminate inaccuracies and tribal knowledge.
• Lead root-cause analysis and corrective/preventive actions for manufacturing and automation-related issues.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives using Lean, Six Sigma, and data-driven methods; provide technical support, training, and support special projects as needed.

Education/Previous Experience

• 5 to 10 years' manufacturing engineering, or operations analysis (aerospace preferred).
• Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing or Industrial Engineering required
• Strong understanding of BOMs, routings, labor standards, and manufacturing workflows.
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems.
• Experience in fixture design and automation project success.
• Advanced analytical skills; proficiency with Excel, Power BI, or similar tools.
• Advanced skills in Solid Modeling (CATIA, AutoCAD, SolidWorks, or similar)
• Ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and drive standardization.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to translate technical details into clear business impact.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience designing molds.
• Rubber and silicone experience preferred.
• Experience in aerospace manufacturing or highly regulated environments.
• Familiarity with AS9100 requirements.
• Lean or Six Sigma certification.

Benefits include 8 health plan options, dental, life and supplemental insurance, and 401(k) with employer match. This position requires use of information which is subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). All applicants must be U.S. persons within the meaning of ITAR. ITAR defines a US person as: any individual who is granted U.S. citizenship; or any individual who is granted U.S. permanent residence ("Green Card" holder); or any individual who is granted status as a "protected person" under 8 U.S.C TA Aerospace is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex including sexual orientation and gender identity, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.