Manufacturing Engineer II

A leading defense contractor in Petaluma, CA is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer II to design, support, and continuously improve manufacturing systems for Small Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV) products. This role focuses on production process development, factory planning, automation, and Lean manufacturing initiatives while supporting assembly and test operations.

The Manufacturing Engineer II partners closely with design engineering, suppliers, and production teams to ensure products are manufacturable, cost‑effective, and scalable for production.

Pay Rate: $62-77/hour (depending on experience)

• Design, develop, and support manufacturing systems for UAV assembly and test operations
• Create equipment specifications and documentation for development, qualification, and production support
• Implement Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies to improve quality, productivity, and lead time
• Develop Value Stream Maps to reduce waste, cycle time, and variation
• Support manufacturing strategies and capacity planning for new and existing products, including capital planning
• Create, review, and maintain work instructions, assembly procedures, and manufacturing documentation
• Estimate costs for tooling and fixtures and lead Make/Buy analyses with cross‑functional teams
• Partner with design engineering on Design for Manufacturing (DFM), cost, and reliability analysis
• Work with suppliers and contract manufacturers to ensure receipt of conforming parts and assemblies
• Troubleshoot manufacturing issues of moderate complexity requiring data analysis and cross‑functional coordination

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
• 2–5 years of experience in Manufacturing, Mechanical, Electrical, or Test Engineering
• Experience in aerospace, automotive, or commercial manufacturing environments
• Working knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma principles
• Experience with electro‑mechanical manufacturing, drawings, procedures, and Bills of Materials
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and engineering systems such as Minitab, Oracle, Agile, and CAD tools (Solid Works preferred)
• Willingness to travel to supplier sites up to 30%

• Experience with sheet metal fabrication, plastics, composites, PCB assembly, mechanical assembly, calibration, or testing
• Strong organizational, communication, and time‑management skills
• Ability to work independently in a fast‑paced, deadline‑driven environment