Level 3 Communications, Inc

Lead, Material Process Engineering

Level 3 Communications, Inc$122K — $227K *
Aerospace & Defense
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's Degree with a minimum of 9 years engineering experience or Graduate Degree with 7 years experience, or 13 years of relevant experience without a degree.
  • 5-9 years of experience in materials engineering or manufacturing process engineering within aerospace or defense sectors.
  • Bachelor's degree in Materials Science, Metallurgical Engineering, or similar discipline.
  • Familiarity with special processes like welding and heat treat along with their qualification requirements.
  • Experience with metallurgical testing and knowledge of aerospace materials.

Responsibilities

  • Develop and optimize manufacturing processes for aerospace and defense materials.
  • Troubleshoot process issues and implement continuous improvement initiatives in production.
  • Conduct failure analysis and root cause investigations for non-conforming materials.
  • Create and maintain process specifications and work instructions.
  • Lead process validation activities and ensure manufacturing readiness.
  • Interface with suppliers for engineering process approvals and quality issue resolutions.
  • Support new product introduction activities throughout the production cycle.

Benefits

  • Health and disability insurance.
  • 401(k) match.
  • Flexible spending accounts.
  • Education assistance.
  • Paid time off and company-paid holidays.
Full Job Description
Job Title: Material Process Engineer

Job Code: 40269

Job Location: On-site at our Canoga Park, CA facility

Job Schedule: 9/80 Employees work 9 out of every 14 days - totaling 80 hours worked - and have every other Friday off

Job Description:

We are seeking a talented Material Process Engineer to join our Missile Solutions team at our Canoga Park facility. In this role, you'll support critical aerospace and defense programs, including the RS-25 rocket engine and advanced missile systems that protect national security. You'll develop and optimize manufacturing processes for mission-critical components, working alongside industry-leading engineers in a dynamic environment where your expertise directly impacts product quality and mission success. If you're passionate about aerospace and defense innovation and want to make a meaningful contribution to programs that matter, we want to hear from you-apply today to join our team!

Essential Functions:
  • Develop, qualify, and optimize manufacturing processes for aerospace and defense metallic materials including titanium alloys, nickel-based superalloys, stainless steels, high-strength steels, and aluminum alloys used in propulsion and missile system components
  • Support production operations by troubleshooting process issues, implementing corrective actions, and driving continuous improvement initiatives • Collaborate with design engineering, quality, and manufacturing teams to ensure producibility and cost-effectiveness across multiple defense programs
  • Conduct failure analysis and root cause investigations on non-conforming materials and processes
  • Create and maintain process specifications, work instructions, and manufacturing documentation in compliance with program requirements
  • Interface with suppliers to conduct engineering process approvals and support resolution of hardware quality issues
  • Lead process validation activities and process capability studies to ensure manufacturing readiness
  • Support new product introduction (NPI) activities from design review through production release
  • Travel up to 25% to supplier facilities and other company locations as required


Basic Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's Degree and minimum 9 years of prior relevant engineering experience. Graduate Degree and a minimum of 7 years of prior related engineering experience. In lieu of a degree, minimum of 13 years of prior related engineering experience.


Preferred Additional Skills:
  • 5-9 years of experience in materials engineering or manufacturing process engineering within aerospace, defense, or related high-reliability industries
  • Bachelor's degree in Materials Science, Metallurgical Engineering, or related engineering discipline
  • Understanding and demonstrated experience of special processes (welding, heat treat, plating, shot peening, etc.) and their qualification requirements
  • Familiar with non-destructive testing (NDT) methods (ultrasonic, radiographic, penetrant, magnetic particle)
  • Knowledge of aerospace materials including titanium alloys, nickel-based superalloys, stainless steels, high-strength steels, and aluminum alloy
  • Experience with additive manufacturing (3D printing) of metal components
  • Experience with metallurgical testing and characterization techniques
  • Knowledge of material specifications and standards (AMS, ASTM, MIL-SPEC)
  • Experience with metallography and microstructural analysis
  • Familiarity with material traceability and certification requirements
  • Experience with materials selection and design for manufacturability (DFM)
  • Knowledge of rocket engine, turbomachinery, or missile system manufacturing processes
  • Knowledge of corrosion mechanisms and prevention methods in aerospace applications
  • Experience with process FMEA (Failure Modes and Effects Analysis)
  • Familiarity with statistical process control (SPC) and Six Sigma methodologies
  • Experience with Microsoft Project or other project management software
  • Familiarity with AS9100, NADCAP, or other aerospace quality management systems
  • Active Secret or Top Secret security clearance


In compliance with pay transparency requirements, the salary range for this role in California is $122,000 - $227,000. This is not a guarantee of compensation or salary, as final offer amount may vary based on factors including but not limited to experience and geographic location. L3Harris also offers a variety of benefits, including health and disability insurance, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, EAP, education assistance, parental leave, paid time off, and company-paid holidays. The specific programs and options available to an employee may vary depending on date of hire, schedule type, and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements.

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