Bachelor's degree in mechanical or manufacturing engineering or related field
5+ years of hands-on experience in manufacturing process development
Proven track record of bringing complex processes into production
Knowledge of welding, fasteners, adhesives, and qualification needs
Proficiency in SOLIDWORKS for 3D CAD and large assembly models
Strong understanding of GD&T and mechanical engineering fundamentals
Experience using trade studies for engineering and business decisions
Familiarity with production equipment like motion systems and temperature controllers
Excellent organizational and communication skills
Ability to work extended hours as needed
Must be a U.S. person as defined by ITAR
Responsibilities
Lead the introduction of special processes for metal structures
Collaborate with design engineers to optimize parts for cost and reliability
Conduct trade studies to inform design and equipment decisions
Establish process control standards and test requirements
Create models and drawings in SOLIDWORKS for production hardware
Plan and execute reliability testing across operating conditions
Source and commission production equipment according to CapEx plan
Manage production flow from sourcing to final assembly
Drive improvements for higher yield and dependable output
Benefits
Opportunity to be one of the first engineers on the ground systems team
Potential for leadership growth as the team expands
Ability to define process standards for a new production line
See your work contribute to national defense hardware
Join a well-funded Series A company with strong demand
Work in a small, experienced team with fast decision-making
Full Job Description
Manufacturing Process Engineer - Special Processes | Stand Up the Metal Processes Behind a New Air Defense Production Line
Gardena, CA | On-site
Opportunity Summary
A Series A, venture-backed defense manufacturer is scaling production of low-cost air defense systems and is hiring one of the first manufacturing engineers on its ground systems team. This engineer will lead the in-house introduction of special processes for large metal structures, including welding, heat treatment, coatings, bonding and fastening, as vehicle-mounted launcher hardware moves from early prototypes to repeatable production of dozens of units per quarter.
The role sits between design and the shop floor. You will run trade studies that steer design choices, give designers clear DFM feedback based on what each process can reliably hold, write the process controls and test criteria that protect product life, and help carry out the capital equipment plan that gets the line running. We want someone who has brought at least one complex process from nothing into production and is eager to do it again with real ownership.
Job Duties
Lead the in-house introduction of special processes for metal structures, including welding, mechanical fastening, adhesive dispense and cure, coatings and heat treatment
Work side by side with design engineers to shape parts and assemblies for low cost, high reliability and ease of manufacture
Run trade studies that guide design direction, make vs. buy decisions and capital equipment investments
Define process control standards, qualification approaches and test requirements so hardware meets life expectations in weather, shock and vibration environments
Build models and drawings in SOLIDWORKS for tooling, fixtures and production hardware
Plan and execute test and iteration cycles that prove reliability across all operating conditions
Specify, source and commission production equipment in line with the CapEx plan
Manage the production flow from supplier sourcing through final assembly and integration, balancing cost, complexity and quality
Drive ongoing improvements toward higher rate, higher yield and dependable output, and help build out the manufacturing team over time
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, manufacturing engineering or a related technical field
5+ years of hands-on experience developing and introducing manufacturing processes
Proven record of taking at least one complex special process from scratch into production
Working knowledge of welding methods, fasteners, adhesives and other special processes, including qualification needs across materials and production rates
Proficiency with 3D CAD and large assembly models and drawings (SOLIDWORKS preferred)
Strong grasp of GD&T, mechanical engineering fundamentals and failure modes in complex mechanical systems
Experience using trade studies to drive engineering and business decisions
Exposure to production equipment such as motion systems, dispense systems, temperature controllers, industrial sensors and casting or molding machines
Strong organization and clear written and verbal communication
Ability to work extended hours and weekends when program needs require
U.S. person as defined by ITAR
Preferred Experience
Process development focused on metal structures, especially welding and coatings
Background in defense, aerospace, automotive body or chassis, or large tooling environments
Experience at both prototype and high-rate volumes, with a high-volume mindset
Breadth across many processes rather than ownership of one narrow slice of a line
Master's degree in a relevant engineering discipline
Experience standing up a new production line or factory capability at a startup
Why Join Us
Be one of the first manufacturing engineers on the ground systems team, with room to grow into leadership as the group expands
Define the process standards and equipment for a brand new production line
See your work go from first article to fielded hardware supporting national defense
Well-funded Series A company with strong demand and an aggressive test cadence
Small, highly experienced team where decisions happen fast
Competitive salary with meaningful early-stage equity
Compensation Details
$140,000 - $190,000 + equity
ITAR Requirement
This position requires access to technical data controlled under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Applicants must be U.S. persons as defined by 22 CFR 120.62.
