What are the responsibilities and job description for the Manufacturing Engineer position at PDS Tech Commercial?
PDS Tech Commercial is seeking a highly skilled Manufacturing Engineer to support a cutting-edge nacelle development program in partnership with a global leader in the aviation industry. This is a 12-month contract opportunity based in Riverside, CA, where you will play a pivotal role in bridging the gap between design and production for integrated engine/nacelle hardware supporting next-generation aerospace systems.
From Preliminary Design Review (PDR) through first article build and delivery planned for 2027, you will help ensure designs are manufacturable, repeatable, and ready for real-world production—directly influencing the success of a highly advanced aerospace program.
What You’ll Do
As a Manufacturing Engineer on this program, you will serve as a critical connector between engineering, supply chain, operations, and suppliers to ensure seamless manufacturing execution and product readiness.
Key responsibilities include:
- Lead manufacturing engineering activities across the full development lifecycle from PDR through hardware delivery
- Integrate Design for Manufacturing (DFM) principles into engineering designs to improve producibility, cost efficiency, and repeatability
- Develop and maintain manufacturing data including BOMs, tooling requirements, material definitions, and routings
- Ensure configuration integrity by aligning as-designed and as-built definitions through effective change control
- Act as a liaison for make/buy components across engineering, supply chain, and supplier teams
- Support build planning, tooling readiness, and production readiness assessments
- Provide hands-on onsite support during first article builds at supplier facilities
- Rapidly troubleshoot manufacturing issues and drive real-time solutions in a fast-paced development environment
- Collaborate across engineering, quality, operations, and program teams to enable successful integration for the JetZero program
What You BringRequired Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Industrial Engineering, or related field
- 8 years of Manufacturing Engineering experience in aerospace development or production environments
- Strong expertise in DFM, configuration management, BOMs, routings, and manufacturing documentation
- Experience supporting both in-house manufacturing and supplier operations
- Proven ability to troubleshoot and resolve manufacturing issues in fast-paced environments
- Strong communication, collaboration, and technical problem-solving skills
- Willingness and ability to travel approximately 30% (domestic and international)
- Experience with CATIA, Teamcenter, SAP, and Solumina
- Background in nacelle structures, propulsion integration, or complex aerospace assemblies
- Experience with metallic fabrication, composite bonding, and advanced assembly processes
- Prior exposure to prototype, technology development, or first article build programs
Why Join Us
At PDS Tech Commercial, you’ll be part of a team that connects top engineering talent with industry-leading aerospace programs shaping the future of flight. You’ll contribute to high-impact work that moves beyond theory into real-world aerospace innovation.
This role offers the opportunity to:
- Work on a high-visibility next-generation aerospace program
- Influence production readiness from concept through delivery
- Collaborate with world-class engineering and manufacturing teams
- Gain exposure to advanced propulsion and nacelle integration technologies
- Be part of a fast-moving, technically challenging environment where your expertise directly matters
You’ll also benefit from a structured weekday first-shift schedule (7AM–4PM), competitive hourly pay ranging from 36.50 to 79.36, and the opportunity to grow your expertise in one of the most advanced aerospace environments in the industry.
Take the Next Step
If you're ready to apply your manufacturing engineering expertise to a groundbreaking aerospace program, we want to hear from you.
Apply today and help shape the future of flight with PDS Tech Commercial
This position requires use of information or access to facilities subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and/or Export Administration Regulations (EAR). These regulations may limit access of controlled technologies: 1) to U.S. Persons, including U.S. Citizens, lawful permanent residents, and other narrow categories including refugees and asylees, or 2) to certain foreign nationals that have received an export license.
Pay Details: 36.50 to 79.36 per hour
Benefit offerings available for our associates include medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, additional voluntary benefits, EAP program, commuter benefits and a 401K plan. Our benefit offerings provide employees the flexibility to choose the type of coverage that meets their individual needs. In addition, our associates may be eligible for paid leave including Paid Sick Leave or any other paid leave required by Federal, State, or local law, as well as Holiday pay where applicable.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled
Military connected talent encouraged to apply
To read our Candidate Privacy Information Statement, which explains how we will use your information, please navigate to https://www.pdstech.com/candidate-privacy
The Company will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with federal, state, and local laws and/or security clearance requirements, including, as applicable:
- The California Fair Chance Act
- Los Angeles City Fair Chance Ordinance
- Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers
- San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance
Massachusetts Candidates Only: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
Salary : $37 - $79