Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab

Manufacturing Engineer

Manufacturing & Automotive
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • B.S. in Mechanical, Aerospace, or Manufacturing Engineering required.
  • 3+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering across diverse fabrication processes.
  • Proficient in CAD tools like CREO or SolidWorks.
  • Ability to interpret engineering drawings and apply GD&T (ASME Y14.5).
  • Strong planning, communication, and collaboration skills essential.
  • Willingness to work in a lab environment and travel for projects and presentations.
  • Eligibility for a Secret level security clearance required.

Responsibilities

  • Serve as subject matter expert for mechanical fabrication technologies supporting critical programs.
  • Partner with engineering teams to implement Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFMA) principles.
  • Interpret engineering specifications to develop effective manufacturing solutions.
  • Develop manufacturing plans and production strategies for prototype hardware.
  • Leverage ERP/MRP systems for production planning and execution.
  • Coordinate with multi-disciplinary teams to resolve technical issues and support project execution.
  • Lead R&D initiatives to evaluate and implement advanced manufacturing processes.

Benefits

  • Opportunities for continuous process improvement initiatives.
  • Work in a state-of-the-art manufacturing center.
  • Engage in cutting-edge projects in aerospace and defense industries.
  • Collaborate with a diverse team of engineers and technicians.
  • Access to advanced manufacturing technologies and methodologies.
Full Job Description
Description

Are you interested in working in a state-of-the-art manufacturing center that helps develop hardware for space, land, sea, and air applications?

Are you motivated to help provide mechanical manufacturing solutions that address our nation's most pressing challenges?

If so, we're looking for someone like you to join our team at APL!

We are seeking a Manufacturing Engineer to help us ensure the successful delivery of large, critical, and complex manufacturing projects through technical expertise in manufacturing. The ME will work with staff at all levels to implement design for manufacturing principles, manage operations, improve quality, and drive continuous improvement.

As a Manufacturing Engineer, you will collaborate with engineers, designers, machinists, and program teams to solve some of the nation's most challenging technical problems. You will provide manufacturing leadership from concept through fabrication, influencing design decisions and manufacturing process to improve quality and performance, reduce cost and schedule risk, and ensure the successful fabrication of complex mechanical hardware.

As a Manufacturing Engineer you will...
  • Serve as the subject matter expert (SME) for many mechanical fabrication technologies (e.g., machining, additive manufacturing, welding, sheet metal, composites, etc.), supporting space, land, sea, and air programs.
  • Partner with engineering teams to apply Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFMA) principles that improve manufacturability, quality, cost, and schedule.
  • Interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and GD&T (ASME Y14.5) to translate design intent into effective manufacturing solutions.
  • Develop manufacturing plans, process flows, work instructions, and production strategies for prototype hardware
  • Leverage ERP/MRP systems to support production planning, routing, material management, and manufacturing execution.
  • Coordinate with engineers, machinists, technicians, inspectors, and suppliers to resolve technical issues and ensure successful project execution.
  • Develop manufacturing estimates, schedules, and resource plans for complex fabrication efforts.
  • Lead or support R&D initiatives to evaluate and implement advanced manufacturing technologies and processes.
  • Stay current with emerging manufacturing technologies, industry standards, and best practices.
  • Help strengthen APL's manufacturing ecosystem through technical leadership and continuous process improvement.

Qualifications

You meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you...
  • Possess a B.S. in Mechanical, Aerospace, or Manufacturing Engineering.
  • Have 3+ years of manufacturing engineering experience across multiple fabrication processes, with broad knowledge of mechanical fabrication and deep expertise in one or more of the following: 3- and 5-axis CNC machining, turning, EDM, sheet metal fabrication, welding, additive manufacturing, composites, or tooling/mold design.
  • Experience developing prototype hardware and transitioning designs into manufacturing.
  • Experience with CAD tools such as CREO or SolidWorks.
  • Can interpret engineering drawings and apply GD&T (ASME Y14.5) to support manufacturing and inspection activities.
  • Demonstrate strong planning, communication, and collaboration skills while working with multidisciplinary engineering and manufacturing teams.
  • Are willing and able to work in a laboratory environment and travel as needed to support testing, sponsor engagements, conferences, and technical presentations.
  • Are able to obtain a Secret level security clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.


You'll go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you...
  • Have experience performing mechanical stress analyses and evaluating structural failure modes.
  • Have experience with PLM and ERP/MRP systems to support engineering change management, production planning, and manufacturing execution.
  • Have experience planning, developing, or optimizing manufacturing facilities, production layouts, or new manufacturing capabilities.
  • Have led manufacturing process improvements or implemented new manufacturing technologies that improved quality, cost, schedule, or throughput.
  • Have supported hardware through the full product lifecycle, from concept and prototype through production, assembly, and test.


Minimum Rate

$85,000 Annually

Maximum Rate

$195,000 Annually

About Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) is a research and development organization that provides solutions to national security and scientific challenges. The laboratory was founded in 1942 and is located in Laurel, Maryland. APL is a division of the Johns Hopkins University and is a not-for-profit organization. The laboratory has expertise in a variety of areas, including space exploration, national security, and healthcare.
Learn more about Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab
Size
7,000 employees
Industry
Founded
1942

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