Manufacturing Engineer

Overview

CoAspire () is a cutting-edge defense manufacturing leader in Northern Virginia, specializing in the precision assembly of advanced weapons systems. With over twelve years of a legacy of innovation, we're at the forefront of building reliable, affordable mass weapons that protect and empower our nation’s warfighters. Our tight-knit team thrives in a collaborative environment where safety, quality, and work-life balance come first with a focus on professional growth at our new 27,000+ sq.

ft. facility. Join us to make a tangible impact on mission-critical technology while enjoying Northern Virginia's vibrant community.

Position: You will serve as a Manufacturing Engineer supporting a prototype-to-production line of cruise missile systems. This hands-on role focuses on optimizing assembly processes, tooling, and workflows to enable affordable, scalable manufacturing while maintaining strict compliance with performance, quality, safety, and security standards. You will collaborate closely with design engineering, quality, supply chain, and production teams to transition cruise missile designs from development into sustained production, emphasizing design-for-manufacturability and affordability (DFMA), cost reduction, and first-pass yield improvement.

• Develop and optimize production processes, tooling, fixtures, and work instructions for cruise missile assembly stations.
• Identify and implement cost-reduction opportunities, including material alternatives, process automation, and labor efficiency improvements while ensuring compliance customer requirements and specifications.
• Support cross-functional teams to perform root-cause analysis on potential production issues (e.g., fit/form issues, non-conformances, rework, test failures) and drive corrective actions with leadership.
• Conduct as-needed time studies, line balancing, capacity planning, and any internal initiatives to support production ramp-up efforts.
• Collaborate with supply chain on make-vs-buy decisions, vendor qualifications, and long-lead component sourcing for missile subsystems.
• Support development and maintenance of manufacturing-related documentation (in line with Model Based System Engineering (MBSE) expectations).
• Interface with DoW customers and suppliers to align manufacturing approaches with program milestones and affordability goals.

• 2–7 years of manufacturing or production engineering experience in aerospace/defense, preferably with complex assemblies.
• Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field.
• Hands-on experience with assembly process development, tooling design, and/or production manufacturing.
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing techniques relevant to missile systems.
• Proficiency with manufacturing tools and software (e.g., ERP and PLM systems).
• U.S. citizenship and current Secret clearance (or ability to obtain and maintain one).
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams.

• Master’s degree in Engineering or related field.
• Direct experience with cruise missile or other weapon production.
• Familiarity with automated assembly, robotic integration, or additive manufacturing for defense applications.
• Experience supporting rate production transitions and affordability initiatives on DoW programs.
• Familiarity with Cameo for MBSE efforts.

Beyond competitive pay, we offer:

• Full benefits from day one: medical, dental and vision
• 401(k) with generous company match and immediate vesting
• PTO and Federal holidays

Apply now! We're reviewing applications on a rolling basis. Let's build the future together. No agencies, please.

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