Operations Engineer; Mid to Senior
Listed on 2026-10-29
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Engineering
Lean Manufacturing / Six Sigma, Quality Engineering, Process Engineer, Manufacturing Engineer
Department: Manufacturing Engineering
Employment Type: Full Time
Location: Hawthorne, California
Compensation: $120,000 - $200,000 / year
DescriptionAstrolab is The Lunar Operations Company. We design and build the systems and hardware the lunar economy will come to depend on — rovers, power, and data networks for sustained operations on the Moon. We are focused on the problems that must be solved before the next chapter of human exploration can scale. The Moon does not forgive untested assumptions. The people who work here know that, and they wouldn't have it any other way.
We are seeking a meticulous and experienced Operations Engineer (Mid to Senior) to join our dynamic team. The role involves ensuring that our manufacturing facility is meeting the highest standards of Quality and Reliability. The Operations Engineer will be key in rolling out the manufacturing executions system (MES) and making improvements to make the process easier for all departments within operations.
This role will report to the Director of Quality & Reliability.
- Serve as the primary MES owner for the facility: manage user feedback, prioritize enhancements, update work instructions/SOPs, and train teams to increase system adoption and data accuracy
- Develop, maintain, and enhance the manufacturing execution system (MES), including leading the site-wide rollout, configuration, and user adoption
- Create solutions and system enhancements that simplify MES usage and improve integration with existing Operations processes
- Partner with manufacturing, quality, supply chain, engineering, and leadership teams to identify friction points in the MES and prioritize improvements
- Drive continual process improvement activities focused on MES-enabled workflows
- Analyze production workflows, labor utilization, equipment performance, and material flow to identify opportunities for optimization
- Build organizational capability by coaching teams on data-driven decision making and continuous improvement principles
Basic Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in a science, technology, engineering, math (STEM) field.
- 5+ years of experience in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or Data Analytics role.
- Experience with ERP, MES, PLM, and manufacturing data systems.
- Experience with Manufacturo or other MES rollouts
- Advanced proficiency in SQL, Power BI, and data visualization best practices
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Strong attention to detail and ability to identify and resolve quality issues
- Ability to simplify complex data and communicate insights to all organizational levels
- Experience in aerospace, space, defense, or other highly regulated manufacturing industries
- Experience using statistical analysis software (e.g., Minitab, JMP)
- Experience using process improvement methodologies and tools such as Six Sigma, Lean, FMEA, and Statistical Process Control (SPC)
- Join a team of best-in-class engineers building the foundation of planetary surface exploration
- Equity ownership in the company
- Comprehensive health benefits, including medical, dental, vision, and mental health support
- 401(k) plan with company match
- Flexible PTO and parental leave
- Weekly lunch stipend, plus complimentary snacks and beverages on-site
- Once a month social hour on-site with food and drinks
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