Senior Manufacturing Engineer
3 days ago
El Segundo
Job Description Senior Manufacturing Engineer – Join a High-Growth Defense Startup Revolutionizing Composite Production! El Segundo, CA | On-site Opportunity Summary A rapidly scaling seed-stage defense technology startup is searching for a Senior Manufacturing Engineer to take the lead in building, optimizing, and scaling production lines for next-generation composite systems. With active defense contracts already underway, this team is growing quickly and needs an engineer capable of driving rate-ready manufacturing, improving yields, and standing up processes that can scale from prototype to full production. In this role, you will be hands-on with production systems, tooling, work instructions, materials flow, automation collaboration, and quality-focused workflows. If you excel in fast-paced environments, enjoy solving complex manufacturing challenges, and want to help shape the future of U.S. defense manufacturing, this opportunity offers significant ownership and career growth. About Us We are a seed-stage defense engineering startup pioneering advanced composite manufacturing methods that dramatically increase throughput, improve structural performance, and reduce production cost. By combining novel process technology with high-speed manufacturing principles, we support mission-critical programs across the national security landscape. Our team values ingenuity, rapid iteration, and an execution-focused mindset as we expand our production capabilities to meet strong and growing demand. Job Duties • Develop, build, and optimize composite production lines from pilot to higher-volume manufacturing with stable yields., • Create, maintain, and improve manufacturing documentation, including work instructions, routings, travelers, and traceability processes., • Lead line setup activities such as takt time refinement, line balancing, station layout, and changeover reduction., • Support prototype builds and guide products through scaling phases into mass production., • Define tooling, fixtures, inspection procedures, jigs, and set parameters for repeatable production quality., • Collaborate closely with quality, machining, automation, and operations teams to ensure consistent output and high product reliability., • Conduct SPC analysis, PFMEA, root cause investigations, and first article evaluations to drive corrective actions., • Manage MRB or BCN activities and maintain strong production documentation hygiene., • Track rate, scrap, cycle time, and throughput metrics while identifying improvement opportunities., • Travel within the continental United States as needed for production line bring-up or supplier support. Qualifications • Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent experience., • 5+ years of relevant manufacturing engineering experience., • Hands-on experience building, optimizing, or scaling production lines, especially in high-reliability or advanced fabrication environments., • Strong proficiency defining work instructions, documenting processes, and maintaining traceability systems., • Experience supporting products from early development through full-rate production., • Familiarity with process improvement tools such as 5S, PFMEA, SPC, and root cause methodologies., • Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams including quality, machining, automation, and supply chain., • Comfortable working in fast-paced startup environments where priorities evolve. Preferred Experience • Background in composite manufacturing or composite design for production., • CNC or manual machining exposure., • Experience with process design or molding environments., • Ability to specify fixtures, tooling, and manufacturing aids while working with vendors or internal teams., • Familiarity with ISO 9001 environments or audit preparation. Growth Opportunities • Define process control plans, production dashboards, and data collection systems., • Lead continuous improvement efforts focused on automation, quality, and reductions in cycle time and scrap., • Establish supplier networks and external production workflows that scale with demand., • Evaluate and qualify suppliers based on capability, quality, cost, and delivery performance., • Manage and mentor a team of technicians as the manufacturing department grows. Why Join Us • High-impact role at a seed-stage defense startup with real traction and active government programs., • Opportunity to build manufacturing processes from the ground up with significant ownership., • Fast career mobility as the company expands production capabilities., • 401(k) with employer match., • Medical, dental, and vision coverage., • Equity participation in a rapidly growing hardware company. Compensation Details $120,000 - $180,000 #LI-AV