Manufacturing Engineer

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Aerospace & Defense Manufacturer in Santa Ana is looking for a highly skilled Manufacturing Engineer to join the team. This person will play a critical role in supporting aerospace and defense machining operations from the quoting stage through production and quality. This position requires a hands-on engineer with strong technical expertise in precision CNC machining, including 3-, 4-, and 5-axis work, who can bridge quoting, process development, and quality assurance.

The ideal candidate will develop and optimize manufacturing processes, ensure compliance with AS9100D standards, and support continuous improvement initiatives that align with customer, regulatory, and defense-aerospace requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide technical input and cost analysis during the quoting process, including time studies and manufacturing method recommendations
• Develop, document, and optimize machining processes for complex aerospace and defense components (3-, 4-, and 5-axis CNC milling and turning)
• Create and maintain job travelers, routings, work instructions, and process documentation
• Collaborate with programming, production, and quality teams to ensure manufacturability and compliance with customer specifications
• Support new product introduction (NPI), tooling design/selection, and process validation
• Drive continuous improvement in cycle times, tooling utilization, setup reduction, and throughput
• Ensure processes meet AS9100D, ITAR, and customer quality requirements
• Provide technical support during first-article inspections (FAI) and production readiness reviews
• Act as a liaison between quoting, production, and quality to resolve issues and improve performance
• Support corrective actions, root cause analysis, and problem-solving activities related to machining and quality

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or equivalent experience
• 5+ years of experience in precision aerospace machining (aerospace & defense environment strongly preferred)
• Proven knowledge of CNC machining, including 3-, 4-, and 5-axis milling and turning
• Strong understanding of GD&T, aerospace blueprints, and tight-tolerance machining requirements
• Experience with quoting, cost estimation, and process planning
• Familiarity with AS9100D/ISO 9001 quality systems and aerospace/defense compliance requirements
• Hands-on problem-solving skills, with experience in root cause and corrective action methodologies
• Proficiency in CAD/CAM and ERP/MRP systems (Sage 100 experience a plus)

Preferred

• Experience supporting New Product Introduction (NPI) in aerospace machining
• Knowledge of ITAR, defense contracts, and customer FAI requirements
• Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma certification
• Ability to collaborate effectively across engineering, production, and quality teams
• Strong communication and presentation skills for both technical and customer-facing situations

• Seniority level Associate

• Employment type
  
  Full-time

• Job function
  
  Engineering and Manufacturing
• Industries Defense and Space Manufacturing and Aviation and Aerospace Component Manufacturing

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