Kratos Defense and Security Solutions

Manufacturing Engineer IV

Manufacturing & Automotive
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related field, with 0-12+ years relevant experience depending on the level.
  • Proficiency in DFM principles and electrical design fundamentals for various circuit types.
  • Hands-on experience with electrical tools and testing equipment, demonstrating practical skills in the field.
  • Strong ability to analyze and resolve production issues through structured problem-solving methods.
  • Skilled in CAD software and familiarity with ERP systems and change control processes.

Responsibilities

  • Review and enhance designs for manufacturability (DFM) during various phases of production.
  • Use SolidWorks Electrical to create and edit production-ready designs as needed.
  • Advise on documentation consistency and mitigate design-related issues early in the process.
  • Collaborate with mechanical engineering to ensure integrated design requirements are met.
  • Develop and improve manufacturing processes while supporting production teams through training and troubleshooting.
  • Create and maintain tooling and fixture designs, fostering repeatability and efficiency in production.
  • Drive continuous improvement initiatives across safety, quality, and production efficiency.

Benefits

  • Hands-on project ownership with opportunities for cross-functional collaboration.
  • Access to mentorship programs to support career development and technical growth.
  • An organizational culture that emphasizes continuous improvement and excellence.
  • Support for advancement through defined levels based on skill recognition and operational contributions.
Full Job Description
Overview: Nomad Global Communication Solutions (Nomad GCS) is a leading provider of communication and response products serving a wide variety of customers. Our purpose is to be the solution when every minute matters. We seek a candidate that is self-inspired to learn and demonstrates a high degree of customer service while positively contributing to our team.

The Manufacturing Engineers (MFEs) at Nomad GCS play a crucial role in supporting the engineering and production processes by identifying and planning for the design, process, and tooling challenges that arise during production. MFEs have experience in mechanical or electrical engineering. This position requires electrical engineering experience with strong problem-solving abilities, and a proactive approach to resolving issues.
MFEs will collaborate on new projects within the broader engineering scope, including outside their primary areas of expertise. Being able to learn on-the-fly is required. All solutions must adhere to or exceed Nomad's standards of safety, efficiency, quality, and scalability.

Career Growth:

Manufacturing Engineers at Nomad GCS progress through five levels based on:
  • DFM execution and design risk mitigation
  • Tooling, fixture, and process architecture
  • Change control ownership and impact modeling
  • Production issue resolution and prevention
  • Manufacturing documentation standardization
  • Cross-platform manufacturability improvement
  • Production efficiency and cost optimization
  • Technical mentorship and leadership


Advancement is supported through hands-on project ownership, cross-functional collaboration, mentorship, and alignment with Nomad's Core Values.

Organizational Structure: Nomad Engineering is organized into Teams and Disciplines within the Innovative Solutions Division.

Teams:
  • Team 1 (Standards and Modularity): Builds and maintains engineering standards, modules, templates, and rules enabling repeatability and scale.
  • Team 2 (Design): Executes project-level engineering using established standards and less complex custom configurations.
  • Team 3 (Advanced): Develops novel systems and resolves first-of-kind engineering challenges.
  • Team 4 (Manufacturing & Industrial Engineering): Ensures manufacturability, safety, engineering intent, efficiency, and continuous improvement throughout Production.


Disciplines:
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Electrical Engineering
  • IT Engineering
  • Human Factors Engineering
  • Software Engineering
  • Industrial Engineering (IE)
  • Manufacturing Engineering (MFE)


MFEs operate primarily within Manufacturing & Industrial Engineering (Team 4) while also supporting:
  • ISG - Standards & Modularity (Team 1)
  • ISG - Design Engineering (Team 2)
  • ISG - Advanced Engineering (Team 3)
  • Production - assigned Project/team support on the floor
  • Supply Chain
  • Quality Assurance


Team 4 contains both MFEs and IEs. These roles are differentiated in that the MFEs are to focus on how we build the product correctly and repeatably, whereas the IEs are to focus on how we build it efficiently and at scale. The open position on Team 4 is for an MFE with an electrical engineering background.

Basic Knowledge Desired - All Levels:
  • Design for Manufacturability (DFM) principles and application during digital and physical builds.
  • Electrical design fundamentals including low-voltage (12V/24V DC) circuits, high-voltage. (120V/240V AC) circuits, control systems, and power distribution.
  • Design and manufacturing principles used in electrical wiring or harnessing production and its installation within industrial equipment and electrical cabinets.
  • Tooling and fixture design concepts for repeatability, safety, and production efficiency.
  • Raw material or component selection, fabrication methods, and production cost considerations.
  • Interpretation and creation of precision technical drawings and digital models.
  • CAD proficiency (SolidWorks Electrical or equivalent) including modeling, drawing release, and file management.
  • ERP systems and change control processes (CR/CO workflow).
  • Standard manufacturing documentation practices and revision control.
  • Root cause analysis and structured problem-solving methods.
  • Competency in business and engineering software (MS Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
  • Hands-on experience with electrical hand tools (crimping, stripping, soldering), test equipment (multimeter, oscilloscope).
  • IPC/WHMA-A-620 or equivalent knowledge or training.
  • Ability to communicate effectively between Engineering and Production teams.
  • Demonstrated alignment with Nomad Core Values.


Core Responsibilities - All Levels:
  • Review designs for manufacturability (DFM) during digital design and physical construction.
  • Use software (SolidWorks Electrical) to create/edit designs to be used in final production.
  • Advise Engineering on consistent documentation for DFMActs as a bridge between mechanical design and electrical/IT requirements by working with designers early to identify and mitigate issues, managing major SPN concerns before design freeze, and ensuring critical provisions such as wiring, pass-throughs, interfaces, bulkheads, waterproofing, and IT infrastructure needs are incorporated before mid-build integration challenges arise.
  • Collaborate with Mechanical Engineering on design inputs from an electrical perspective to facilitate needed wiring passthroughs, wire routing, interfaces, bulkheads, and waterproofing required by the Electrical Engineering design.
  • Develop and maintain standard work documentation.
  • Develop, implement, and improve manufacturing processes.
  • Support production through training them on standard manufacturing processes.
  • Support production by troubleshooting build issues and clarifying engineering intent.
  • Create and maintain fixtures and tooling designs using hand tools and shop machinery (manual + CNC).
  • Conduct testing and validation, formally documenting results.
  • Analyze CR/COs and assess impact to schedule and costs.
  • Serve as liaison between Engineering and Production.
  • Drive continuous improvement in safety, quality, efficiency, and standardization.
  • Handle and prioritize multiple project requests at the same time.
  • Be willing to travel as needed by Management.
  • Uphold and model Nomad Core Values.
  • Perform additional duties as assigned.


Level Expectations:

Manufacturing Engineer I - Entry / Developing
  • Support senior MFEs with DFM reviews and documentation updates.
  • Support development of standard work documentation.
  • Exposure to at least five (5) full Projects' lifecycles (design, build, ship).
  • Assist with tolerance reviews, basic fixture modifications, and test setups.
  • Learn Nomad manufacturing standards, processes, and documentation expectations.
  • Follow established procedures for Change Requests and Change Orders.
  • Assist with prototype builds and hands-on shop activities.
  • Respond to basic production questions under supervision.
  • Develop working knowledge of welding, machining, routing, and assembly processes.
  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field OR 0-2 years relevant experience.


Primary Focus: Learning and applying core manufacturability standards while supporting accurate execution of DFM, documentation, and basic tooling activities.

Progression Signal: Learns quickly, reduces Production and Engineering rework, and completes assigned tasks correctly with decreasing supervision.

Manufacturing Engineer II - Independent Contributor
  • Independently perform DFM reviews for small to mid-sized assemblies.
  • Develop and maintain standard work documentation.
  • Design and implement moderate-complexity tooling and fixtures.
  • Analyze Change Requests and prepare impact summaries for approval.
  • Support production troubleshooting with minimal oversight.
  • Conduct and document formal test setups and validation procedures.
  • Improve manufacturing documentation clarity and standardization.
  • Estimate engineering effort and manage assigned priorities.
  • 2-5 years manufacturing or mechanical engineering experience.


Primary Focus: Independently delivering manufacturable solutions that reduce rework, clarify engineering intent, and improve production stability.

Progression Signal: Can be trusted to deliver manufacturable solutions without close supervision and consistently improves Production and Engineering outcomes.

Manufacturing Engineer III - Advanced / System-Level
  • Lead manufacturability strategy for full platforms or major subsystems.
  • Own tolerance analysis, fixture design, tooling studies, and process documentation for complex builds.
  • Anticipate production risks and proactively mitigate them during digital design.
  • Lead root cause analysis efforts for production or field failures.
  • Approve or review lower-level MFE DFM recommendations.
  • Optimize designs for cost, repeatability, serviceability, and safety.
  • Mentor MFE I-II team members on tooling, DFM, and production standards.
  • Drive measurable efficiency improvements across departments.
  • 5-8 years manufacturing/industrial engineering experience.
  • Electrical Engineering Experience
  • Advanced system-level electrical design and integration experience across power distribution, control systems, and communications architectures.
  • Strong troubleshooting and root cause analysis capability involving complex electrical, integration, manufacturing, and field issues.
  • Ability to architect and optimize AC/DC electrical systems, wiring strategies, protection schemes, and control interfaces.
  • Skilled in reviewing, approving, and improving engineering documentation including schematics, wiring diagrams, BOMs, and test procedures.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of applicable electrical standards, codes, and best practices including NEC, UL, IEC, and safety compliance requirements.
  • Experience supporting production environments, resolving technical issues, and improving manufacturability and serviceability of designs.
  • Strong cross-functional collaboration skills with mechanical engineering, software, IT integration, manufacturing, quality, suppliers, and customers.
  • Experience leading validation activities, system testing, and failure investigations.
  • Strong technical communication and project coordination skills with internal teams, suppliers, and external stakeholders.
  • Proficient with ECAD tools, electrical documentation systems, and engineering change management processes.
  • Demonstrated ability to independently manage priorities, technical risk, and engineering deliverables on complex programs.


Primary Focus: Owning manufacturability strategy at the subsystem or platform level to prevent production risk and improve build repeatability

Progression Signal: Regularly prevents production problems before they occur and raises the manufacturability standard for the team.

Manufacturing Engineer IV - Senior / Technical Lead
  • Own manufacturing architecture and standardization across multiple product lines.
  • Define and refine Nomad's manufacturing standards, tooling libraries, and modular build strategies.
  • Lead high-risk or complex build programs from prototype through release.
  • Balance competing constraints (schedule, cost, manufacturability, safety).
  • Serve as primary manufacturing authority during cross-functional reviews.
  • Drive capital equipment recommendations and manufacturing technology adoption.
  • Coach and mentor MFEs and production leaders.
  • Recognized internally as a go-to expert for complex production challenges.
  • 8-12+ years advanced manufacturing/industrial engineering experience.
  • Electrical Engineering Experience
  • Expert system-level electrical design and integration experience across power distribution, control systems, and communications architectures.
  • Excellent troubleshooting and root cause analysis capability involving complex electrical, integration, manufacturing, and field issues.
  • Ability to architect and optimize AC/DC electrical systems, wiring strategies, protection schemes, and control interfaces.
  • Skilled in reviewing, approving, and improving engineering documentation including schematics, wiring diagrams, BOMs, and test procedures.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of applicable electrical standards, codes, and best practices including NEC, UL, IEC, and safety compliance requirements.
  • Experience supporting multiple production environments, resolving technical issues, and improving manufacturability and serviceability of designs.
  • Strong cross-functional collaboration skills with mechanical engineering, software, IT integration, manufacturing, quality, suppliers, and customers.
  • Experience leading validation activities, system testing, and failure investigations.
  • Excellent technical communication and project coordination skills with internal teams, suppliers, and external stakeholders.
  • Proficient with ECAD tools, electrical documentation systems, and engineering change management processes.
  • Demonstrated ability to independently manage conflicting priorities, technical risk, and engineering deliverables on complex programs.


Primary Focus: Defining and standardizing manufacturing architecture, tooling ecosystems, and cross-platform manufacturability best practices.

Progression Signal: Others rely on this engineer's judgment for high-impact manufacturing decisions.

Manufacturing Engineer V - Principal / Strategic Leader
  • Define and evolve Nomad's long-term manufacturing strategy.
  • Lead cross-disciplinary initiatives

About Kratos Defense and Security Solutions

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. provides mission critical products, solutions, and services in the United States. The company operates through three segments: Kratos Government Solutions, Unmanned Systems, and Public Safety & Security. The Kratos Government Solutions segment offers microwave electronic products, satellite communications, training systems, modular systems, and defense and rocket support services. The Unmanned Systems segment provides unmanned aerial, ground, and seaborne, as well as command, control, and communications systems. The Public Safety & Security segment designs, engineers, deploys, operates, integrates, maintains, and operates security and surveillance solutions for homeland security, public safety, critical infrastructure, government, and commercial customers. The company serves national security related agencies, the department of defense, intelligence agencies, and classified agencies, as well as international government agencies and domestic and international commercial customers; and critical infrastructure, power generation, power transport, nuclear energy, financial, IT, healthcare, education, transportation, and petro-chemical industries, as well as government and military customers. Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. was founded in 1994 and is headquartered in San Diego, California.
Learn more about Kratos Defense and Security Solutions
Size
3,300 employees
Market Cap
$1.1 billion
Industry
Net Income
$79.6 million
Founded
1994
5 Year Trend
+8.4%
Revenue
$747.6 million
NASDAQ

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