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

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