Staff Manufacturing Engineer (Space Hardware)

Staff Manufacturing Engineer (Space Hardware)

Overview

Our client is seeking a hands-on Staff Manufacturing Engineer to lead the manufacturing of low-volume / high-mix space hardware, including launch vehicles and spacecraft engines. Youll partner closely with electrical/mechanical/test engineering, technicians, program managers, and systems teams to ensure products are manufacturable, testable, safe, and reliable—and to rapidly resolve issues spanning design, assembly, and supplier quality. This is a high-impact role for a self-starter who thrives in ambiguity, drives continuous improvement, and bridges development and production.

What Youll Do

• Own Design for Manufacturability (DFM/DFA): Guide assemblies from design release through build and acceptance testing, shaping scalable build flows
• Enable cross-functional decisions: Represent Manufacturing in concept down-selects and feasibility reviews
• Build production structure: Create and maintain mBOMs, CONOPS, build schedules, and supporting documentation through development
• Define standard work: Write work instructions, specifications, and best practices across multiple high-fidelity processes
• Scale capability: Implement new manufacturing processes and support capital equipment introduction for expanded production
• Train and support technicians: Develop clear process plans and coach teams in a hardware-on-the-floor environment
• Lead issue management: Track failure modes, drive root-cause and corrective actions, and verify closure with owners
• Nonconformance & repair: Support design/analysis/integration to resolve off-nominal issues and create sustainable repair procedures
• Production test development: Create testing processes/requirements for high-pressure gas systems to meet rate targets
• Adapt fast: Respond to evolving designs, priorities, and build/test constraints in time-sensitive environments

What Were Looking For (Required)

• 5+ years relevant experience, including leading electrical and/or mechanical designs from inception through production
• Strong DFM/DFA background—proven delivery through development, test, and production
• Familiarity with spacecraft and/or launch vehicle design and test (education and/or on-the-job)
• Experience with capacity modeling, process mapping, and fault analysis
• Proficiency with CAD and GD&T
• Strong collaboration, ownership mindset, and clear written/verbal communication
• Comfortable presenting recommendations to stakeholders and leadership using first principles and trade studies
• Able to prioritize and execute under pressure; committed to continuous improvement
• Willing to work extended hours/weekends as needed
• Comfortable working on the floor (standing, bending/stooping for extended periods)
• Bachelors degree in EE, Aerospace, Physics, Math, CS, or related field (or 4 additional years of experience in lieu of degree)

Nice to Have (Desired Multipliers)

• Experience in low-to-medium volume manufacturing and full product lifecycle development
• Quality tools and systems: RCCA, PFMEA, QMS, process audits, statistical quality metrics
• Experience with complex automated systems and risk assessment/reduction
• Working knowledge of Python or another programming language

Compensation

• $155,000 – $187,000/year