Senior Manufacturing Engineer – Join a High-Growth Defense Startup Revolutionizing Composite Production!
El Segundo, CA | On-site
Opportunity Summary
A rapidly scaling seed-stage defense technology startup is searching for a Senior Manufacturing Engineer to take the lead in building, optimizing, and scaling production lines for next-generation composite systems. With active defense contracts already underway, this team is growing quickly and needs an engineer capable of driving rate-ready manufacturing, improving yields, and standing up processes that can scale from prototype to full production. In this role, you will be hands-on with production systems, tooling, work instructions, materials flow, automation collaboration, and quality-focused workflows. If you excel in fast-paced environments, enjoy solving complex manufacturing challenges, and want to help shape the future of U.S. defense manufacturing, this opportunity offers significant ownership and career growth.
About Us
We are a seed-stage defense engineering startup pioneering advanced composite manufacturing methods that dramatically increase throughput, improve structural performance, and reduce production cost. By combining novel process technology with high-speed manufacturing principles, we support mission-critical programs across the national security landscape. Our team values ingenuity, rapid iteration, and an execution-focused mindset as we expand our production capabilities to meet strong and growing demand.
Job Duties
- Develop, build, and optimize composite production lines from pilot to higher-volume manufacturing with stable yields.
- Create, maintain, and improve manufacturing documentation, including work instructions, routings, travelers, and traceability processes.
- Lead line setup activities such as takt time refinement, line balancing, station layout, and changeover reduction.
- Support prototype builds and guide products through scaling phases into mass production.
- Define tooling, fixtures, inspection procedures, jigs, and set parameters for repeatable production quality.
- Collaborate closely with quality, machining, automation, and operations teams to ensure consistent output and high product reliability.
- Conduct SPC analysis, PFMEA, root cause investigations, and first article evaluations to drive corrective actions.
- Manage MRB or BCN activities and maintain strong production documentation hygiene.
- Track rate, scrap, cycle time, and throughput metrics while identifying improvement opportunities.
- Travel within the continental United States as needed for production line bring-up or supplier support.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
- 5+ years of relevant manufacturing engineering experience.
- Hands-on experience building, optimizing, or scaling production lines, especially in high-reliability or advanced fabrication environments.
- Strong proficiency defining work instructions, documenting processes, and maintaining traceability systems.
- Experience supporting products from early development through full-rate production.
- Familiarity with process improvement tools such as 5S, PFMEA, SPC, and root cause methodologies.
- Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams including quality, machining, automation, and supply chain.
- Comfortable working in fast-paced startup environments where priorities evolve.
Preferred Experience
- Background in composite manufacturing or composite design for production.
- CNC or manual machining exposure.
- Experience with process design or molding environments.
- Ability to specify fixtures, tooling, and manufacturing aids while working with vendors or internal teams.
- Familiarity with ISO 9001 environments or audit preparation.
Growth Opportunities
- Define process control plans, production dashboards, and data collection systems.
- Lead continuous improvement efforts focused on automation, quality, and reductions in cycle time and scrap.
- Establish supplier networks and external production workflows that scale with demand.
- Evaluate and qualify suppliers based on capability, quality, cost, and delivery performance.
- Manage and mentor a team of technicians as the manufacturing department grows.
Why Join Us
- High-impact role at a seed-stage defense startup with real traction and active government programs.
- Opportunity to build manufacturing processes from the ground up with significant ownership.
- Fast career mobility as the company expands production capabilities.
- 401(k) with employer match.
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
- Equity participation in a rapidly growing hardware company.
Compensation Details
$120,000 - $180,000
