Manufacturing Engineer(Senior)

We are seeking an experienced Manufacturing Engineer to lead manufacturing and production scale-up within the Aerospace sector. This individual will be responsible for developing manufacturing and assembly strategies for an advanced autonomous VTOL aircraft, designing tooling and fixtures, standardizing build processes, and setting up shop floor infrastructure as the program moves from prototype builds into Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP).

This is a highly hands-on role that partners closely with the design engineering and flight test teams to deliver hardware that is optimized for cost and buildability. During LRIP, this individual will also serve as a part-time technician, physically building and assembling aircraft, and will travel to the test range to support flight test operations.

The ideal candidate combines strong engineering fundamentals with hands-on fabrication expertise and thrives in a fast-paced, early-stage prototype environment.

Location: Long Beach, CA (on-site)

Travel: As needed to support flight testing at the test range

Citizenship: U.S. citizen or permanent resident required (role involves export-controlled data; security clearance not required)

Key Responsibilities

• Lead manufacturing, assembly, and scaling strategies for the current aircraft and future variants.
• Serve as a part-time technician during Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP), physically building and assembling aircraft.
• Design, prototype, and implement custom tooling and fixtures to support fabrication, assembly, and test.
• Author, validate, and continuously update clear work instructions and quality standards for component and system-level builds.
• Own the setup, optimization, and scaling of the shop floor layout and manufacturing infrastructure.
• Partner closely with the design engineering team to provide Design for Manufacturing (DFM) feedback, ensuring hardware is optimized for cost and buildability.
• Travel to the test range to support flight testing, contributing to test operations, hardware troubleshooting, and rapid field repairs.
• Maintain technical documentation and support configuration management across builds.
• Adapt to shifting priorities and take on unplanned challenges to keep programs moving.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Engineering or a related technical discipline.

Experience

• 5+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering or vehicle fabrication within aerospace, automotive, marine, or robotics.
• Proven experience taking hardware from prototype builds toward production.
• Hands-on fabrication experience with advanced composites, metallics, bonded joints, and fastened joints.
• Experience designing assembly and test fixtures in modern CAD software.
• Strong ability to interpret engineering drawings, GD&T, and technical specifications.
• Experience with personal or extracurricular hardware builds (e.g., Formula SAE, DBF, RC aviation) is a plus.

Desired Skills

• Hands-on builder who stays close to the hardware, even when leading others.
• Strong engineering fundamentals and critical thinking.
• Ownership mindset with the drive to see tasks through to completion.
• Ability to prioritize and execute multiple assignments at the same time in a rapidly changing environment.
• Excellent verbal, written, and organizational skills.
• Comfortable working under pressure in a fast-paced prototype environment.
• Willing to support flight test operations in the field.

Technical Competencies

• Composite fabrication
• Metallic fabrication, including:
  • Milling
  • Drilling
  • Welding
  • Sheet metal
• Bonded and fastened joints
• Tooling and fixture design
• Engineering drawings and GD&T
• Work instructions and quality standards
• Design for Manufacturing (DFM)
• Shop floor layout and production line setup

Software Proficiency

• CAD software (SolidWorks, Siemens NX, or equivalent)
• PLM, ERP, or Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES)

Preferred Background

Candidates who have stood up a factory floor or production line, especially at a startup moving into Low-Rate Initial Production, are highly encouraged to apply. Experience with wire harness fabrication, routing, and crimping, electronics integration and testing, or using PLM, ERP, or MES systems to establish a digital thread is particularly valuable. Candidates from large aerospace primes are also welcome, particularly those with hands-on exposure to the full manufacturing process.