Manufacturing Engineer - Marine Assembly / Continuous Improvement

Aspen Power Catamarans designs and builds advanced, fuel-efficient power catamarans that combine innovation, craftsmanship, and adventure. Located in Burlington, Washington, Aspen produces both luxury cruisers (28–44 ft) and high-performance Carbon Cat tenders (9–13 ft). Our 45-person team works hands-on through every step of the build process—from engineering to final launch—crafting each boat with precision and pride.

We value collaboration, continuous improvement, and the creative problem-solving that defines a semi-custom manufacturing environment. Every Aspen boat is a product of teamwork, innovation, and a shared love for life on the water.

Position Overview:

Aspen Power Catamarans has an opening for an experienced Manufacturing Engineer to assist our assembly group in improving flow and increasing throughput—taking complex tasks and adjusting the process, documentation, or design for better quality and an easier build. This position will support process improvements in both our cruiser line (32–44 ft Power Proa Cats) as well as our Carbon Cat tender line of boats (9–13 ft).

Historically, Aspen’s production processes are very craftsman-focused. As a semi-custom boat builder, some areas are consistent while others change based on our customers’ needs. This position will review current standard processes for improvement and develop build documentation for the team. For new boat systems and options, this position will plan, design, document, and specify parts needs and process techniques. 

Additionally, this position will work with our production team to support daily operations and problem solving.  Critical to success is the ability to not only solve time sensitive production problems but also to develop and implement solutions that prevent issues from reoccurring in the future. This position will include production documentation as well as some design work. The goal is easy-to-understand documentation for repeatable production.

Key Responsibilities

·        Work closely with production team to study and improve assembly processes for improved efficiency and quality

·        Helping to promote a culture of continuous improvement and follow through using facts and data to drive decision making

·        Manage key projects to completion in an organized and visible manner

·        Review existing standard practices, identify opportunities for improvement, and develop clear, easy-to-follow build documentation

·        Assist with tooling, jigs, and fixture design to improve repeatability and reduce rework

·        Collaborate with engineering, production, and leadership to continuously improve production plans and schedules

·        Help integrate feedback from the assembly floor into future designs and processes

·        Provide design support and documentation for custom options as needed

Qualifications

·        Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing, Mechanical, or Industrial Engineering, or equivalent experience

·        5 years of hands-on experience in a production or assembly environment, ideally with experience in a marine manufacturing environment

·        Strong understanding of manufacturing principles and process improvement

·        Proficiency in CAD/CAM/CAE software (SolidWorks, Rhino, or similar).

·        Skilled in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Project, with experience creating and managing Gantt charts

·        Familiar with composite and steel fabrication for jigs and fixtures

·        Basic understanding of 12V electrical systems and freshwater plumbing

·        Excellent documentation, photography, and communication skills

·        U.S. work authorization required

Preferred / Desired Experience

·        Experience in the marine, RV, or light aircraft industries

·        Hands-on familiarity with composite fabrication, testing, and process validation

·        Demonstrated experience in continuous improvement methodologies (Lean, 5S, Kaizen, etc.)

·        Proficiency in developing fixtures, process flow improvements, and prototype-to-production transitions

·        Ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritize, and organize effectively with minimal supervision

·        Spanish-speaking ability is a plus and valued in our production environment

·        A genuine passion for craftsmanship, problem-solving, and helping teams build better every day.

Work Environment

This position blends office, production floor, and on-boat work environments. You’ll spend time planning and documenting builds as well as out in the shop and inside boats through various build phases. The role requires climbing stairs and ladders, fitting into tight spaces when necessary, and the ability to lift 50 lbs.

Compensation & Benefits

Base Salary: $75,000 - $90,000 DOE

Paid Time Off: 2 weeks accrued annually with hours worked (accrual rate increases with length of employment)

Medical Insurance: 75% employer contribution for employee, 20% for dependents

401(k): Employer match up to 3.5%

Additional: Potential incentive bonuses tied to production efficiency and process improvements

• At Aspen Power Catamarans, we take pride in our work and the people who make it happen. If you enjoy solving production challenges, collaborating with great people, and making a real difference in how world-class boats are built, we’d love to hear from you.