Manufacturing Engineer (Composite)

Summary

The Manufacturing Engineer supports the optimization, improvement, and scalability of composite aerospace manufacturing operations. This position evaluates production processes, identifies opportunities to improve efficiency, quality, and cost performance, and implements process improvements across composite fabrication, assembly, and inspection operations. The Manufacturing Engineer partners with Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, and Engineering to improve manufacturability, eliminate production bottlenecks, support production readiness, and ensure compliance with aerospace quality and regulatory requirements.

Essential Functions

• Evaluates existing composite manufacturing processes and identifies opportunities to improve throughput, yield, quality, and cost performance.
• Analyzes production workflows, cycle times, labor utilization, and equipment effectiveness to eliminate waste and improve operational efficiency.
• Develops and implements manufacturing process improvements for composite layup, curing, trimming, machining, bonding, assembly, and inspection operations.
• Leads root cause investigations and implements corrective actions related to production defects, nonconformances, scrap, and rework.
• Creates, revises, and maintains manufacturing work instructions, process specifications, standard operating procedures, and production documentation.
• Supports tooling, fixture, and equipment improvements to enhance manufacturability, repeatability, and production efficiency.
• Applies Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement methodologies to improve manufacturing performance.
• Partners with Design Engineering to support Design for Manufacturing (DFM) initiatives and improve product manufacturability.
• Analyzes production metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs) to prioritize improvement initiatives and monitor results.
• Supports qualification and validation of manufacturing processes, tooling, materials, and equipment.
• Assists with production readiness reviews, capacity planning, and production ramp-up activities.
• Ensures compliance with aerospace quality standards, customer requirements, and regulatory requirements.
• Provides technical guidance and hands-on support to production personnel and cross-functional manufacturing teams.