Manufacturing Engineer

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Xona is the navigational intelligence company bringing real-time, centimeter-level certainty to any device, anywhere on Earth. With Pulsar – the world’s most advanced PNT satellite infrastructure in Low Earth Orbit – Xona will offer a future-proof, backwards-compatible global positioning system optimized for absolute precision, superior power, and robust protection.

We’re looking for a Manufacturing Engineer to develop the satellite manufacturing testing and production facilities. You will own the selection, installation, optimization and best practice integration of the production QA Testing & production tools and equipment. You will be hands‑on learning and operating the equipment in the near term. You will work closely with the Engineering and Operations team members to drive best practice methodologies to a rapidly scaling start‑up.

• Manage the equipment and test fixtures (QA and Production) for the Xona satellite
• Build the TPM process for Xona, ensuring both preventative and predictive maintenance principles are utilized effectively
• Support layout planning of the production and test areas to optimize equipment efficiency and effectiveness, drive safety and quality into the build and test processes, using lean manufacturing principles.
• Work with all equipment, machine and tool providers to install, calibrate and maintain the facility infrastructure. Work with external contractors to support facility expansion/optimization projects.
• Help develop the EH&S process for Xona, ensuring safe, clean and efficient operational activity is consistently maintained.
• Support the planning, selection and implementation of essential manufacturing equipment, QA testing equipment, tooling & fixtures, metrology tools, etc.
• Support development of the capital expenditure roadmap and budget for facilities, equipment, tooling, safety equipment, etc. Assist with build vs buy financial and operational analysis.

• You have experience in higher volume production environments in a complex, Aerospace, Space or Defense business, with end item production rates greater than 2/week
• You also have experience working from a green field/blank room through to ‘production enabled’ and ‘production ramp‑up’
• You enjoy hands‑on work with tools and equipment in production areas and can problem solve/fix issues effectively and mostly independently.
• You’re comfortable in an environment where plans and processes are being developed and iterated in response to customer or market forces. You are able to take this in your stride, maintain progress and adapt to changes quickly and effectively
• You are passionate about optimizing production efficiency and using cost effective equipment/automation/tools to yield a high quality and cost effective product.
• You are a self‑starter, can utilize CAD tools, enterprise and shop digital systems and are equally comfortable with bench top hand‑tools in a controlled, precision assembly and test environment.
• You make weighted judgement calls to maintain quality standards, yet still moving fast and adapting quickly to evolving designs and production, assembly and test methods.

• Full‑time, onsite in Burlingame, California (this role is not remote or hybrid)
• To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the United States (i.e. Green Card holder), or other protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)

• Experience with rate production of a spacecraft, satellite or complex spacecraft sub‑assemblies
• Familiarity with equipment / machines found in a Space company (Vibe tables, TVAC chambers, Thermal chambers, etc.)
• Familiarity with relevant EH&S processes and procedures and lean manufacturing tools in a manufacturing facility (TPM, Lock out tag out, job safety evaluations, 5S, etc.)
• You are an experienced six sigma tools practitioner and apply this knowledge to enhance process capability and reduce manufacturing variation.
• Career production experience working both with and without a Quality Management System (QMS) such as AS9100…