Manufacturing Engineer

Job Title:

Ground Test Manufacturing Engineer

Job Description

This role supports a Ground Test Division that designs and manufactures test equipment for major engine programs, with a primary focus on composite part fabrication. The Ground Test Manufacturing Engineer develops and improves manufacturing processes and tooling, supports day-to-day production, and ensures that quality and efficiency targets are met within tight build schedules. The engineer creates detailed work instructions, bills of materials, and specifications, collaborates closely with design and production teams to ensure manufacturability, and assists with material selection for composite structures.

The role also involves validating new processes and repairs, resolving production issues, and driving continuous improvement using data-driven problem-solving methods.

Responsibilities

+ Develop and improve manufacturing processes and tooling for composite part fabrication used in ground test equipment.

+ Create clear and detailed work instructions, bills of materials, and manufacturing specifications to support consistent production.

+ Collaborate with design and production teams to ensure parts and assemblies are manufacturable and meet engineering requirements.

+ Support daily production activities by troubleshooting manufacturing issues and implementing effective corrective actions.

+ Assist with material selection for composite components, including fiberglass, aramid, and carbon prepreg materials.

+ Validate new manufacturing processes and repair methods to ensure they meet quality, reliability, and performance requirements.

+ Train production staff on new or updated processes, tooling, and work instructions to ensure proper execution on the shop floor.

+ Address nonconforming material by identifying root causes, defining rework or repair strategies, and ensuring proper documentation.

+ Ensure compliance with engineering standards, drawings, and geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) requirements.

+ Use data-driven problem-solving techniques to identify trends, reduce defects, and drive continuous improvement in quality and efficiency.

+ Participate in or lead process improvement initiatives to optimize manufacturing cost, reproducibility, and throughput.

+ Support the development and implementation of Process Failure Mode and Effects Analyses (PFMEAs) to mitigate risk in manufacturing processes.

+ Coordinate with cross-functional teams in engineering, quality, and operations to support major engine test programs and meet schedule commitments.

Essential Skills

+ Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) university degree or equivalent experience with a minimum of 10 years of relevant industry experience.

+ Proven experience with mechanical manufacturing processes such as machining, joints, fasteners, and welding in industries like aerospace, defense, automotive, or similar fields.

+ Strong knowledge of geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) and the ability to interpret engineering drawings and prints.

+ Hands-on experience working with composite materials, including fiberglass, aramid, and carbon prepreg.

+ Demonstrated process improvement experience in a manufacturing environment.

+ Effective problem identification and solution skills, with a data-driven approach to troubleshooting.

+ Strong sense of project ownership, with the ability to execute tasks proactively and drive work to completion.

+

Experience with implementation and use of PFMEAs in manufacturing processes.

+ Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams in design, production, and quality.

Additional

Skills & Qualifications

+

Experience with Computer Aided Design software such as Creo and Windchill (preferred), or NX, Fiber

SIM, and Team Center.

+ Familiarity with Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) techniques, such as ultrasonic testing, eddy current, fluorescent penetrant inspection (FPI), camera-based inspection, X-ray, and other methods used in composite manufacturing.

+

Experience with design for manufacturing and assembly (DFMA) principles.

+ Understanding of manufacturing cost drivers and reproducibility, with the ability to influence…