Position Overview
AST is seeking entry-level Manufacturing Engineers for full-time positions or part-time internships supporting cylinder and composite overwrapped pressure vessel (COPV) products. This opportunity offers hands-on learning in metal spinning and flow forming while working under the guidance of experienced engineers, operators, and technicians.
The engineers will assist with production-floor support, process documentation, tooling reviews, production trials, and data analysis. Candidates with 1-3 years of manufacturing or related engineering experience are preferred; internships and co-op experience are welcome. Prior spinning or flow forming experience is not required. The ideal candidates are eager to learn, comfortable in a shop-floor environment, and interested in building a career in manufacturing engineering.
Key Responsibilities
• Support manufacturing processes for cylinder and COPV products under the guidance of experienced engineers.
• Learn metal spinning and flow forming processes, including equipment, tooling, setup parameters, material behavior, and quality requirements.
• Assist engineers, operators, and technicians with production trials, setup evaluations, and troubleshooting manufacturing issues.
• Collect and analyze production and inspection data to identify opportunities to reduce scrap, improve quality, and increase efficiency.
• Assist with reviewing engineering drawings, tooling, mandrels, and fixtures for manufacturability and production needs.
• Prepare and update process sheets, work instructions, setup records, and other engineering documentation.
• Support new-product introductions and process improvement projects with Engineering, Production, and Quality.
• Follow safety procedures and assist with documenting process changes and evaluating their results.
Requirements
Required Qualifications
• Interest in an entry-level manufacturing engineering role and willingness to learn spinning and flow forming.
• Bachelor's degree in mechanical, manufacturing, industrial engineering, or a related engineering field; students currently pursuing a related engineering degree will be considered for the internship.
• Basic understanding of manufacturing processes, materials, and mechanical principles through coursework, projects, or work experience.
• Willingness to work hands-on in a production-floor environment alongside operators and technicians.
• Strong attention to detail, analytical thinking, and a practical approach to problem-solving.
• Ability to read engineering drawings and interpret basic dimensional and inspection information.
• Clear communication and organizational skills; proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Word.
Preferred Qualifications
• 1-3 years of manufacturing or related engineering experience preferred; relevant internships and co-op experience will be considered.
• Exposure to metal forming, machining, tooling, or inspection methods is a plus.
• Familiarity with SolidWorks or another CAD system preferred.
Benefits
Job Type & Pay
• Full-time Manufacturing Engineer positions or part-time engineering internships, in person in Oxnard, California.
• Monday-Friday, 40 hours per week for full-time employees.
Part-time internship hours will be coordinated around school schedules and department needs.
• Pay Range: $75,000-$95,000 per year for the full-time position, commensurate with experience. Compensation for the part-time internship will be discussed separately.
