engineering
Posted 23 hours agoLead Manufacturing Engineer
San Diego, United StatesOn-site
Responsibilities
- Support NPI and production transfers to CMs by defining build strategy, documenting processes, and resolving technical issues during initial builds and ramp.
- Review and provide feedback on CM work instructions, assembly procedures, inspection plans, and test procedures to ensure they meet product and quality requirements.
- Monitor CM performance (yield, rework, scrap, cycle time) and support improvement actions in partnership with Supply Chain and Quality.
- Process Development & Setup (Electrical & Mechanical) - Develop, maintain, and improve manufacturing processes for electrical and mechanical assemblies including PCB-based products, harnesses, machined and sheet metal parts, and system-level integrations.
- Establish and maintain standard times and sequences of operations for current and future production processes, both internal and at CMs.
- Generate and update work instructions, assembly procedures, visual aids, and other documentation to control and standardize manufacturing processes.
- Support Design for Manufacturability/Assembly (DFM/DFA) activities with design engineering and CMs to improve build robustness, yield, and cost.
- Support development of manufacturing strategies and capacity models for new and existing products, including inputs for capital and tooling needs.
Requirements
- Participate in CM audits, build readiness reviews, and on site troubleshooting as required.
- Participate in root cause analysis and corrective action activities for issues related to materials, design, tooling, process, or operator error. Basic
- Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience): Bachelor’s degree in Industrial, Mechanical, Manufacturing, Electrical Engineering, or related field; or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience. 5–10+ years of
- experience in Manufacturing, Industrial, Mechanical, Electrical, or Test Engineering in aerospace, defense, automotive, or similar high reliability industries.
- Experience supporting or managing contract manufacturers or external suppliers for electrical and/or mechanical assemblies.
- Working knowledge of electro mechanical manufacturing, including interpretation of drawings, specifications, and Bills of Material.
- Familiarity with PCB-based products, sheet metal, machined parts, and basic integration/assembly processes.
- Experience with Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma principles and tools for process development and control.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook; Visio/Project a plus).
- Familiarity with statistical analysis tools (e.g., MiniTab), MRP/ERP systems (Oracle preferred), PLM/Change systems (e.g., Agile), and CAD programs (SolidWorks preferred).
- Experience working with ECO/ECN processes. Ability and willingness to travel to CM/supplier sites (up to ~25%, as needed). Other
- Qualifications & Desired Competencies: Certification in Lean / Six Sigma (Green Belt or higher) preferred.
- Ability to work within defined
- Experience working within ISO based or similar quality systems.
- Physical Demands: Ability to work in an office environment (constant).
- Ability to sit and stand for extended periods; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard (frequent).
- Ability to work in lab and production environments, including CM facilities, as needed (occasional). Special Requirements: U.S.
- From AI-powered drones and loitering munitions to integrated autonomy and space resilience, our technologies shape the future of warfare and protect those who serve.
Benefits
- Clearance Level No Clearance The salary range for this role is: $122,500 - $187,000 AeroVironment considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the location, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills.
- benefits package including medical, dental vision, 401K with company matching, a 9/80 work schedule and a paid holiday shutdown.
- We are proud to be an EEO/AA Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans.
Contact
- For more information about our company benefit offerings please visit: http://www.avinc.com/myavbenefits .
- We also encourage you to review our company website at http://www.avinc.com to learn more about us. Principals only need apply. NO agencies please.
Additional details
- Worker Type Regular Job Description The Lead Manufacturing Engineer is responsible for defining, launching, and improving manufacturing processes for Titan C-UAS electrical and mechanical products, with a strong focus on contract manufacturing (CM).
- This role supports the technical transfer of products to CMs, ensures robust production readiness, and drives ongoing process improvements using data and structured problem-solving.
- The Lead Manufacturing Engineer collaborates closely with design engineering, supply chain, quality, and CM partners to achieve reliable, cost effective, and scalable production. Key
- Responsibilities Include: Contract Manufacturing Technical Support - Serve as a primary day to day technical contact for contract manufacturers producing electrical and mechanical assemblies.
- Participate in the design and development of manufacturing workflows and equipment layout for efficient, safe, and ergonomic operations.
- Data-Driven Continuous Improvement - Analyze production metrics (yield, capacity, cost, process capability) from internal builds and CMs to identify trends and improvement opportunities.
- Help implement Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma tools to drive reductions in cost, lead time, and variability.
- Participate in PFMEA and support DFMEA to identify and mitigate manufacturing risks and ensure adequate process controls.
- Tooling, Fixtures, and Make/Buy Support - Support cost estimating and
- requirements definition for new tooling, fixtures, and test equipment needed to support manufacturing at CMs and internal facilities.