About the Role:As a Senior Manufacturing Engineer, you will be responsible for establishing how the engine is made as we build a rocket engine factory from the ground up, making key decisions about how hardware gets made, equipment purchases, and process development, rather than inheriting any existing systems.
Manufacturing Engineering is not a support function here. Our manufacturing engineers are accountable for delivering hardware. You will direct DFM for new and existing components, set the manufacturing direction for the parts you own, define how they get built and inspected, specify the tooling and the equipment, and own the result when hardware reaches the build cell. If a component is hard to make, that is a manufacturing engineering outcome.
This role adapts to changing program needs and your strengths, rather than being limited to a single component. We seek candidates with broad experience across programs and processes who understand different manufacturing methods and why they are chosen.
Responsibilities:- Define the manufacturing concept of operations (CONOPS) and the design-for-manufacturability (DFM) strategy for your hardware, covering production methods, equipment selection, and build sequence.
- Bring a culture of creativity to every design and manufacturing challenge, ask the hard questions, own each fix or improvement with true accountability, and see it through to completion.
- Support facility layout and planning. Identify, specify, and purchase capital equipment. Afterward, install, integrate, and qualify the equipment.
- Design tooling and fixtures to support all processes from machining, welding, assembly, to handling and transport.
- Lead the process qualification plan for your hardware in partnership with Materials & Processes and Quality teams. Manage supplier interactions for externally routed parts and processes, including process capability and first article inspections.
- Oversee the qualification of new processes brought in-house.
- Author all build documentation for your hardware including routings, work instructions, process specifications, and the manufacturing bill of materials. Use engineering judgment to determine the necessary level of detail for each step based on hardware maturity and design fidelity.
- Own your hardware's delivery, build cycle time, yield, and rate readiness. Identify and resolve constraints, then scale the process from first article to repeatable production.
- Ensure configuration and pedigree are tracked throughout the entire build and test process. Manage the disposition of nonconforming hardware, lead rework and repair efforts, resolve root causes, and oversee nonconformance reports from creation to closure.
- Mentor team members within and outside the manufacturing engineering group.
Basic Qualifications:- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Materials Science, or equivalent experience.
- Comprehensive understanding of mechanical design and manufacturing principles, including proficiency with GD&T per ASME Y14.5, tolerance stack analysis, and dimensional inspection techniques such as CMM, Faro Arm, Blue Light Scan, and manual Inspection.
- Demonstrated hands-on ownership of build and assembly processes on the manufacturing floor.
- Proficiency in CAD.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a proven ability to facilitate and resolve challenging technical discussions.
- Experience evaluating and dispositioning nonconforming hardware and developing detailed rework or repair plans.
Preferred Qualifications:- Minimum of 8 years of hands-on experience in hardware manufacturing, utilizing a variety of methods such as machining, additive manufacturing, welding, brazing, forming, casting, forging, cleaning, non-destructive testing, precision assembly, and acceptance testing of integrated hardware.
- Background spanning multiple product lines and manufacturing methods.
- Proven track record in establishing new factories or production lines, and/or transferring qualified manufacturing processes between sites.
- Extensive development-phase involvement, including taking hardware from concept through first article and qualification to repeatable production at rate. Proficiency with Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) and Manufacturing Execution System (MES) software.
- Demonstrated capability in developing work instructions and process specifications, and qualifying them through continued conversations and iteration.
- Proven skillset in the design, analysis, and procurement of tooling for manufacturing and assembly applications throughout product lifecycle.
- Proficiency in Siemens based CAM and or machine languages.
Compensation and Benefits:The salary range for this position is $134,434 - $188,207 annually. The actual base salary offered will depend on factors such as job-related skills, experience, qualifications, and internal equity.
- Equity in Cowboy Space Corp.
- Employees and their eligible dependents may enroll in medical, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) retirement savings plan
- 10 paid holidays per calendar year
- Relocation assistance if applicable
- Daily lunch in the office and a fully stocked kitchen with beverages and snacks
ITAR RequirementsExport Control Requirement: To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), applicants must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about ITAR here.
DisclaimerThis job description is a summary of the primary duties and responsibilities of the job and position. It is not intended to be a comprehensive or all-inclusive listing of duties and responsibilities. Contents are subject to change at Cowboy Space Corp.'s discretion.
