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Manufacturing Engineer

Ascent Aerospace
Santa Ana, CA Full Time
POSTED ON 5/7/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 6/4/2026
Ascent Aerospace – Inspiring the next generation of flight!

Ascent Aerospace is a world-renowned, single-source provider of production and automated assembly systems for the aerospace and defense industry. We provide high-precision advanced automated equipment as well as a full suite of both mold and assembly tooling required for the aerospace manufacturing market, including the largest Invar molds ever made— making us the largest tooling group in the industry. We work with our customers to develop their project and see it through, from process engineering to build and installation, to ensure it is an efficient and cost-effective solution. As a true, single-source integrator, we have proven tools to surpass our customer expectations. We have greater control of timing and schedules, which allows for 100% accountability, and avoids costly mark-ups, ultimately saving our customers money. The result: a group of businesses, each an industry leader within their own discipline, now acting as one truly integrated supply base.

Summary Of Position

The Manufacturing Engineer is responsible for generating, reviewing, and coordinating all necessary requirements to produce our products. This includes detailed product and process step definition, tooling and fixture requirements needed to execute the processing or steps, and estimated time required to complete each defined task or step.

Essential Functions

This document in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying the position.

  • Review all customer job packages, program, and project contracts to determine the most efficient and cost-effective methods for manufacture
  • Create process / step planning to route product through in-house manufacturing and outside process sequences in order to achieve most efficient process for production
  • Generate procurement requisitions to purchase materials and outside processes / services as required by program
  • Interface directly with Program Managers, Programming, Manufacturing departments, Inspection and outside vendors as needed to support and execute manufacturing processes / steps
  • Document all contract and manufacture changes
  • Interface with Sales, Estimating, and ERP administrators for cost or schedule impact or improvement
  • Perform analysis, studies, etc. to support Manufacturing Engineering efforts as required/assigned by the company. This includes process studies, equipment and manufacturing/process studies, time and fixture analysis, etc.
  • Understand the application of Lean Manufacturing in a tooling environment
  • Apply/Implement new technologies to the shop floor
  • Any additional duties as reasonably assigned by management

Required Skills, Education, And Experience

Any combination of education and experience providing the required skill and knowledge for successful job performance will be considered. Typical qualifications would be:

  • Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or similar field
  • 7 years of experience in a tooling and/or manufacturing environment
  • Technical drawing and / or CAD modeling / file interpretation and GD&T understanding
  • Common knowledge of metal and / or composite manufacturing / fabrication including cutting, welding / joining, CNC type machining, benching / finishing, and assembly practices
  • This position must meet Export Control compliance requirements, therefore a “US Person” as defined by 22.C.F.R.
  • is required

Preferred Qualifications

  • 7 years of experience in manufacturing processing, time studies, and/or manufacturing analysis in a metal, and/or composites product type environment
  • 5 years of experience in all aspects of tooling fabrication and shop practices
  • Knowledge of materials types and material processes
  • Knowledge of programming, machining, welding, inspection techniques, and facility resources
  • Excellent time management skills
  • They must be proficient with the use of Word, Excel, Outlook, ERP Systems, and PowerPoint software

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

  • None

Travel Requirements

  • Occasional local travel may be require

WORKING CONDITIONS

Working conditions described here are representative of those that may be experienced by an employee on a daily basis while performing the functions of this job.

  • Typically sits for extended periods at a computer workstation
  • May access and work in the manufacturing plant
  • While performing the duties of this job, employee may be exposed to moving mechanical parts, fumes and airborne particles
  • The employee may be exposed to vibration
  • The employee is occasionally exposed to caustic chemicals. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate
  • May be required to travel to other site locations during the workday
  • May be required to work weekends to meet department and business demands
  • Work with safe manufacturing processes and understand that eyewear is mandatory in the manufacturing area.
  • Knows that safety shoes are recommended in the manufacturing area

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

  • Must be able to sit, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.
  • Must be able to see, talk, hear, touch, feel and reach with hands and arms.
  • Must be able to frequently walk and stand for short periods of time
  • Must be able to lift and move up to 35lbs, occasionally lift and move objects up to 50lbs.

Benefits

  • Medical Insurance
  • Dental Insurance
  • Vision Insurance
  • Short- and Long-Term Disability Insurance
  • Life Insurance
  • AD&D Insurance
  • PTO
  • 401k Match

Special Requirements

Employment is contingent upon successfully passing an employee reference check, criminal background check, and drug screening.

This position requires use of information that is subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). All applicants must be U.S. persons within the meaning of ITAR. ITAR defines a U.S. person as a U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (i.e. 'Green Card Holder').

Ascent Aerospace is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status or a person’s relationship or association with a protected veteran, including spouses and other family members, and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. Equal Employment Opportunity Posters. If you’d like to view a copy of the company’s affirmative action plan or policy statement, please call toll-free 1 586-726-0500. If you have a disability and you believe you need reasonable accommodation in order to search for a job opening or to submit an online application, please call toll-free 1 586-726-0500. This phone number is created exclusively to assist disabled job seekers whose disability prevents them from being able to apply online. Only messages left for this purpose will be returned. Messages left for other purposes, such as following up on an application or technical issues not related to a disability, will not receive a response.

About Us

Ascent Aerospace is a world renowned, single-source provider of production and automated assembly systems for the aerospace, defense and space industries. As the largest tooling group, Ascent produces a full suite of both mold and assembly tooling required for the aerospace manufacturing market, including the largest invar molds ever made for aerospace. As an automation provider and production system integrator, Ascent works with customers to develop their project and see it through process engineering, to build and installation to ensure it is an efficient and cost-effective solution.

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