Senior Manufacturing Engineer

Chipton-Ross is seeking a Senior Manufacturing Engineer for a direct opportunity in Buena Park, CA.

• Must have at least 7 years of related work experience
• Demonstrated success developing and improving complex manufacturing processes in aerospace, defense, precision machining, die casting, metal products, or another regulated environment.
• Advanced ability to interpret drawings, models, GD and T, specifications, routings, tooling concepts, and quality requirements.
• Experience leading cross-functional technical projects, root cause investigations, process validation, capacity analysis, and production recovery efforts.
• Strong project leadership, technical judgment, data analysis, written communication, and influence without direct authority.
• Ability to work full time onsite and spend substantial time in manufacturing areas.

• Lead manufacturing engineering activities for new product introduction, program transfers, production ramp ups, engineering changes, and process relocations from planning through stable production.
• Develop and approve manufacturing plans, routings, work instructions, process parameters, tooling and fixture requirements, capacity assumptions, and operation standards.
• Interpret complex drawings, models, specifications, GD and T, customer flow downs, and quality requirements and translate them into executable manufacturing processes.
• Lead process development and validation for die casting, CNC machining, finishing, inspection, assembly, and outside processing as applicable to assigned programs.
• Diagnose difficult process, tooling, equipment, scrap, yield, capacity, and delivery problems using data, direct observation, structured root cause analysis, and controlled trials.
• Develop and implement improvements that increase safety, quality, throughput, yield, equipment utilization, and labor efficiency while reducing variation, setup time, rework, and total cost.
• Lead first article readiness, process capability studies, risk reviews, control planning, and technical closure of manufacturing issues in partnership with Quality and Operations.
• Define equipment, automation, tooling, and capital requirements; prepare technical justifications, cost estimates, implementation plans, and acceptance criteria.
• Provide technical leadership during customer, supplier, and internal reviews and clearly communicate risks, decisions, recovery plans, and project status.
• Mentor junior engineers and technicians, review technical work, establish sound engineering practices, and share manufacturing knowledge across functions.
• Maintain accurate configuration-controlled engineering data and ensure changes are implemented through approved systems and procedures.
• Support business planning through capacity analysis, make or buy input, cost estimates, manufacturing feasibility reviews, and technical supplier evaluation.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

• Experience with aluminum or zinc die casting, CNC machining, tooling and fixtures, automation, finishing, inspection, or assembly.
• Knowledge of first article requirements, process capability, PFMEA, control plans, lean methods, statistical analysis, and aerospace quality systems.
• Experience with CAD or CAM, ERP systems, capital equipment implementation, customer technical reviews, and program transfers.

• Accredited Bachelor degree in manufacturing, mechanical, industrial, aerospace, materials, or a related engineering discipline.

• Full-Time