Manufacturing Engineer

Job Title: Manufacturing Engineer

Job Description

This Manufacturing Engineer role focuses on developing and optimizing aerospace and defense manufacturing processes, with a strong emphasis on electro-mechanical assemblies and cable and harness production. You will define manufacturing workflows, design and implement assembly fixturing, and ensure compliance with aerospace quality and regulatory standards. As the sole Manufacturing Engineer on staff, you will establish best practices, drive continuous improvement, and support rapid innovation on nationally relevant systems.

Responsibilities

• Define, develop, and optimize manufacturing workflows for aerospace and defense products, ensuring efficiency, repeatability, and quality.

• Design and build assembly fixturing using SolidWorks, applying GD&T and tolerance stack-up analysis to ensure robust, manufacturable designs.

• Lead and support hands-on electro-mechanical assembly processes, including torque sequencing, bonding, thermal staking, and press-fit connector installation.

• Develop and refine cable and harness manufacturing processes, including automated cut, strip, and crimp operations, overmolding, EMI shielding, and hi-pot testing.

• Create clear, detailed work instructions and process documentation to ensure consistent, compliant production.

• Apply Design for Manufacturability (DFM) principles to new and existing products to reduce complexity, improve yield, and shorten cycle times.

• Implement and maintain process flow standards, including analysis of cycle time and task time to improve throughput and reduce bottlenecks.

• Ensure manufacturing processes comply with AS9100 and ISO 9001 quality systems, as well as relevant FAA regulations, including Part 21 and Production Organization Approval (POA) requirements.

• Support first article inspection activities by providing manufacturing input, documentation, and process validation.

• Utilize MRP systems to support manufacturing planning, material control, and production scheduling.

• Leverage statistical process control tools such as Minitab or JMP to monitor process performance, drive data-based improvements, and support Six Sigma initiatives.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including design, quality, and supply chain, to support rapid prototyping, open systems integration, and production readiness.

• Participate in or lead environmental stress screening (ESS) process development and execution for RF coaxial cable assemblies and other critical components.

• Support the introduction and optimization of manufacturing automation, including collaborative robots, pick-and-place systems, and automated optical inspection.

• Train and mentor production personnel on manufacturing processes, work instructions, and quality standards, including IPC and J-STD requirements.

• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives that enhance the flexibility, reliability, and responsiveness of manufacturing operations to meet mission-critical needs.

• Maintain the ability to obtain and uphold required security clearances and follow all applicable security and regulatory guidelines.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Industrial, Aerospace, or Manufacturing Engineering, or equivalent experience in lieu of a degree.

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in aerospace or defense manufacturing engineering.

• Hands-on experience with electro-mechanical assembly, including torque sequencing, bonding, thermal staking, and press-fit connectors.

• Strong expertise in cable and harness manufacturing, including automated cut, strip, and crimp processes, overmolding, EMI shielding, and hi-pot testing.

• Proven ability to define manufacturing workflows and design and build assembly fixturing using SolidWorks.

• Proficiency with GD&T and tolerance stack-up analysis in support of robust manufacturing processes.

• Knowledge of AS9100 and ISO 9001 quality systems and FAA regulations, including Part 21 and Production Organization Approval (POA).

• Deep knowledge of cable and harness manufacturing and electromechanical assembly best practices.

• Experience with Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and developing clear work instructions.

• Experience with process flow analysis, including understanding cycle time and task time in a manufacturing environment.

• Proficiency with manufacturing engineering practices in aerospace and defense environments.

• Experience working with MRP systems to support production planning and control.

• Experience supporting or performing first article inspection from a manufacturing perspective.

• Knowledge of IPC and J-STD-001 standards and their application in manufacturing.

• U.S. citizenship.

• Ability to obtain and maintain a Department of Defense personnel security clearance.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with RF coaxial cable assembly and environmental stress screening (ESS).

• Familiarity with manufacturing automation, including collaborative robots, pick-and-place systems, and automated optical inspection.

• IPC-A-610 and IPC-A-620 trainer certification.

• Proficiency with CAD tools, with SolidWorks preferred.

• Experience with PLM systems such as Arena or Teamcenter.

• Experience with statistical process control tools such as Minitab or JMP.

• Six Sigma Green Belt certification or higher.

• Strong ability to write and maintain detailed work instructions and process documentation.

• Demonstrated capability to operate effectively as the primary or sole Manufacturing Engineer in an organization.

• Interest in supporting rapid innovation, open systems integration, and fast-paced prototyping and fielding efforts.

Work Environment

This role operates within an aerospace and defense environment focused on rapid innovation and delivery of mission-critical systems. You will serve as the sole Manufacturing Engineer on staff, providing a unique opportunity to shape manufacturing practices, standards, and tools from the ground up. The work involves close collaboration with engineering, quality, and supply chain teams on revolutionary and nationally relevant systems. You will use technologies such as SolidWorks and other CAD tools, PLM platforms like Arena or Teamcenter, MRP systems, and statistical tools such as Minitab or JMP. The environment emphasizes rigorous adherence to AS9100, ISO 9001, FAA regulations, and IPC/J-STD standards, as well as continuous improvement and Design for Manufacturability. Manufacturing operations may incorporate advanced automation, including collaborative robots, pick-and-place equipment, and automated optical inspection. We value flexible, effective tools for end users, rapid prototyping, and decisive results that support critical security challenges.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of San Diego, CA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $55.28 - $67.30/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: - Medical, dental & vision - Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital - 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available - Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) - Short and long-term disability - Health Spending Account (HSA) - Transportation benefits - Employee Assistance Program - Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in San Diego,CA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jun 3, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email View email address on click.appcast.io for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.