Lead Manufacturing Engineer

TRL11, Inc.

$120K — $180K *
Aerospace & Defense
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Aerospace, Industrial, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
  • 5+ years in manufacturing engineering for complex electromechanical or aerospace systems.
  • Proven track record in developing manufacturing processes and production documentation.
  • Hands-on experience in hardware assembly, integration, and troubleshooting.
  • Understanding of GD&T, engineering drawings, BOMs, and configuration control.
  • Familiarity with manufacturing tooling, fixtures, and equipment.
  • Exceptional communication and technical problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

  • Lead manufacturing engineering for assembly, integration, inspection, and testing of electro-optical space hardware.
  • Develop processes, assembly sequences, and production controls for manufacturing.
  • Create and maintain manufacturing plans, work instructions, and documentation.
  • Collaborate with design engineering to identify manufacturing risks through DFMA feedback.
  • Design tooling, fixtures, and equipment for manufacturing processes.
  • Optimize factory-floor layouts and material flow for production efficiency.
  • Mentor manufacturing staff and promote best practices in manufacturing processes.

Benefits

  • Fast-paced, energetic startup culture fostering learning and impactful contributions.
  • 401k plan and comprehensive health care (medical, dental & vision).
  • Unlimited Paid Time Off for vacation, sick leave, and holidays with prior approval.
  • Participation in a performance-based stock option plan.
Full Job Description
Overview

We are seeking a Lead Manufacturing Engineer to lead manufacturing development and improvement for advanced electro-optical space systems.

This individual will translate engineering designs into robust, repeatable manufacturing processes and work closely with mechanical, electrical, optical, systems, quality, supply chain, and production teams. Responsibilities include factory-floor development, process design, work instructions, tooling, manufacturing readiness, and continuous improvement.

The role will also support nonconformance and corrective action activities, including NCCR, and may contribute to the implementation and improvement of a Manufacturing Execution System (MES).
Responsibilities
  • Lead manufacturing engineering for assembly, integration, inspection, and test of electro-optical space hardware.
  • Develop manufacturing processes, assembly sequences, routings, inspection points, and production controls.
  • Create and maintain work instructions, travelers, manufacturing plans, and process documentation.
  • Partner with design engineering to provide DFMA feedback and identify manufacturing risks.
  • Design or specify tooling, fixtures, equipment, and assembly aids.
  • Help develop factory-floor layouts, work cells, material flow, and production areas.
  • Troubleshoot manufacturing issues directly with technicians and engineering teams.
  • Participate in NCCR, nonconformance investigations, root-cause analysis, and corrective actions.
  • Improve manufacturing quality, yield, throughput, cycle time, and repeatability.
  • Support prototype, qualification, and flight hardware through production.
  • Help transition products from development into repeatable manufacturing.
  • Support configuration control, traceability, and production documentation.
  • Mentor manufacturing personnel and establish manufacturing best practices.
  • Support MES implementation and improvement, including electronic work instructions, routings, traceability, and production data collection.

Requirements
Basic
  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Aerospace, Industrial, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
  • 5+ years of manufacturing engineering experience with complex electromechanical, optical, aerospace, defense, or other high-reliability hardware.
  • Experience developing manufacturing processes and production documentation.
  • Hands-on experience supporting hardware assembly, integration, and troubleshooting.
  • Experience with nonconformance investigations, root-cause analysis, and corrective actions.
  • Strong understanding of engineering drawings, GD&T, BOMs, configuration control, and manufacturing processes.
  • Experience with manufacturing tooling, fixtures, and production equipment.
  • Strong cross-functional communication and technical problem-solving skills.
  • Experience developing factory layouts, production cells, and capacity plans.
  • Experience with MES, ERP, PLM, or digital manufacturing systems.
Preferred
  • 7+ years of manufacturing engineering experience with technical leadership responsibilities.
  • Experience manufacturing spacecraft, payloads, satellites, or electro-optical systems.
  • Experience with precision optical, optomechanical, or cleanroom assembly.
  • Experience with low-volume, high-complexity flight hardware.
  • Familiarity with AS9100, NASA, IPC, or related aerospace standards.

Benefits
    • Fast paced, energetic startup culture, where you'll learn a lot, have great impact, and have fun doing it
    • 401k, Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
    • Unlimited Paid Time Off (with prior approval), for Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays
    • Stock Option Plan participation, based on performance and tenure
    • Salary range $120-180k

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