Senior Manufacturing Engineer

Job Title:

Senior Manufacturing Engineer

Location:

Goleta, CA, US, 93117

Posting Date:
Feb 8, 2026

The Senior Manufacturing Engineer will lead manufacturing and sustaining engineering efforts for PDT’s production programs, along with guiding new programs into production. This role is the technical lead for all PDT production issues across manufacturing, assembly, testing, supply chain, and customer fielded products. This role is responsible for the continuous improvement of production efficiency, quality and safety. The ideal candidate is a self-starter who excels in a fluid environment and remains focused when facing complex and competing priorities.

• Evaluates and optimizes manufacturing processes by applying knowledge of product, manufacturing, assembly, and tooling; conferring with equipment vendors, suppliers, and machine shops; and soliciting feedback from operators, technicians, and engineering.
• Creates and maintains assembly work instructions, assembly drawings, BOMs, and test procedures for production programs.
• Supports assembly and testing of product, as well as test procedure and test report documentation. Provides direction and guidance to technicians as needed.
• Supports the transfer of new products from engineering to production.
• Troubleshoots issues and non-conformances with product, material, or equipment on the production floor as well as with suppliers and customers.
• Leads root cause analyses, fishbone studies, and corrective action documentation, communication, and implementation.
• Researches and develops standards and equipment needed to support testing and manufacturing.
• Develops automated test capabilities to support product design verification and long-term testing.
• Improves manufacturing efficiency by analyzing product yield, planning workflow, while also optimizing cost, labor, and material.
• Provides manufacturing decision-making information by calculating production, labor, and material costs; reviewing production schedules; estimating future requirements. Monitors and updates Earned Standard Hours based on actual performance.
• Keeps equipment operational by coordinating maintenance and repair services; following manufacturer’s instructions and established procedures; requesting special service.
• Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; participating in professional societies. Maintains and enhances knowledge of Lean Manufacturing principles.
• Identifies and leads cost-savings, quality improvement, or efficiency improvement projects moving them from concept to implementation. Designs new Lean Manufacturing concepts or evaluates, improves, and implements existing concepts and best-in-class manufacturing techniques. Drives cost reduction projects and coordinates capital spending.
• Incorporates engineering specifications into design, process, or techniques and provides feedback to capture lessons learned.

• Bachelor of Science in mechanical, aerospace, or electrical engineering; masters preferred.
• 10 years of experience in aerospace manufacturing engineering (or equivalent) minimum.
• Strong ability to read, interpret, and create technical documents (fluid schematics, mechanical drawings, assembly drawings, bills of material, work instructions, test procedures, safety procedures).
• Experience with a variety of manufacturing processes (machining, molding, welding, additive manufacturing, etc).
• Hands‑on experience with electromechanical and fluid flow equipment (pumps, heat exchangers, HVAC, AC/BLDC motors, BLDC motor controllers) is highly desirable.
• Experience with an aerospace production and test environment (temp, altitude, vibe, shock, EMI, etc.) is highly desirable.
• Experience with Solidworks CAD is highly desirable.
• Experience with DAQs, Oscilloscopes, Dynamo meters, Hi‑Pot testers, etc., is a plus.
• Experience with soldering and PCB design and layout is a plus.
• Experience with vibration shaker tables and thermal chambers is a plus.
• Quality training and experience in SPC, Kanban, Kaizen, ISO‑9000, Lean, Six‑Sigma is a plus.
• Highly motivated,…