Manufacturing Engineer - Machine Shop

Join a team where your impact reaches beyond the stars! At Terran Orbital, you’re not just part of the system – you’re a vital force propelling our mission forward. As trailblazers in satellite manufacturing and aerospace innovation, we shatter boundaries daily to deliver groundbreaking solutions that power our nation’s defense and commercial missions. We are a unique, fast growing, and trusted team dedicated to swiftly and efficiently designing, building, launching, and operating state of the art satellites for advanced mission constellations. If you’re driven by purpose, inspired by challenges, and ready to leave your mark on the universe, you’ll find a home and endless opportunities for growth here. Together, let’s redefine what is possible in orbit and beyond!

Terran Orbital is seeking an experienced Manufacturing Engineer  to join our dynamic team. Reporting to the Director, CNC Machining, the Manufacturing Engineer will develop and implement optimal, cost-effective manufacturing processes and methods in accordance with product specifications and quality standards. This role will manage manufacturing related projects and coordinate activities with various stakeholders. This role will be supporting manufacturing issues on existing product designs and new satellite mechanisms early in the design phase and providing critical design for manufacturability input, while developing and implementing the plan to move from design/test into build/production. This role will play a key part in supporting and optimizing operations within our machine shop to ensure seamless production and high-quality output.

Onsite at our Machine Shop in Santa Maria, CA. 

Key Duties and Responsibilities 

• Design, develop, and optimize manufacturing processes for satellite structures, subassemblies, and components.
• Assist with custom tooling, fixtures, and jigs to support efficient assembly and testing operations.
• Work with Engineering to assist with redline drawings and drawing corrections.
• Provide hands-on engineering support to the production floor, diagnosing and resolving process or equipment issues in real time.
• Support product transition from design to full-scale manufacturing, collaborating across functional teams to ensure smooth ramp-up to production.
• Drive continuous process improvement initiatives that enhance production efficiency, product reliability, and mission success.
• Collaborate closely with Design Engineering to ensure product designs are optimized for manufacturability, cost-effectiveness, and reliability, while adhering to ANSI and ISO standards.
• Partner with Quality and Supply Chain teams to ensure compliance with standards such as AS9100, NASA, or equivalent.
• Serve as the primary engineering representative in daily and weekly program and production meetings, providing technical updates and progress reports to leadership.
• Investigate, analyze, and resolve manufacturing and test discrepancies, coordinating with Quality and Design teams to address issues in design, fabrication, and assembly.

Qualifications and Skills

• Bachelor’s Degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or other related technical degree.
• Minimum two (2) years of experience in a Manufacturing Engineering function within a high reliability manufacturing environment, preferably in a CNC machine shop manufacturing environment.
• Design software experience (AutoCAD or SolidWorks preferred)
• In-depth knowledge of AS9100, ISO 9001, and other relevant aerospace manufacturing standards.
• Experience with DFMEA/FMEA, SPC, and root cause analysis methodologies.
• Able to work well in an integrated team including daily interactions with technicians, engineers, and managers
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a focus on practical solutions.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate across disciplines.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced, high-mix production environment.
• Working knowledge of ERP/MRP systems (e.g., D365, Aegis).
• Demonstrated proficiency in Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement principles.
• U.S. Person or lawful permanent resident to comply with U.S. government space technology export regulations.

 Benefits

• 100% Company-paid comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your dependents
• 401(k) Match
• Flexible Time Off (FTO)
• Education Reimbursement
• Competitive Paid Parental Leave

About Terran Orbital 

Terran Orbital is a leading manufacturer of satellite products primarily serving the aerospace and defense industries. Terran Orbital provides end-to-end satellite solutions by combining satellite design, production, launch planning, mission operations, and on-orbit support to meet the needs of the most demanding military, civil, and commercial customers. Learn more at www.terranorbital.com

Physical Demands

An employee must meet the physical demands described to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. In performing the duties of this job, the employee is routinely required to sit or stand for long durations of time, in addition to bending, reaching, and walking. This would require the ability to lift or move objects up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift or move objects up to 25 pounds. This position is generally sedentary, with substantial computer usage.

Work Environment

The job operates in a professional office environment but in a manufacturing company. This job routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and scanners.

Disclaimers

To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, the applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. In addition, please note that this position may require a current United States National Security clearance or eligibility for such a clearance.

Terran Orbital is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. We consider applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or membership in any other group protected by federal, state, or local law.

If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at hr@terranorbital.com.

Terran Orbital does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or staffing firms. To conduct business with Terran Orbital, a Master Services Agreement (MSA) must be executed and confirmed prior to submitting any information relating to a potential candidate. Without a signed MSA, Terran Orbital shall not be responsible to any individual or entity for any payment relating to any form of fee or compensation.

And, in the event that a resume or candidate is submitted by a recruiter, an employment agency, or a staffing firm without a fully executed MSA, Terran Orbital has the unrestricted right to pursue and hire any of those candidate(s) without any legal or financial responsibility to the recruiter, agency, and/or firm.