Forward Deployed Manufacturing Engineer

The client acquires precision machine shops and rebuilds them into modern data-driven operations, making real parts for SpaceX, Impulse, Lockheed, Northrop, and BAE Systems across aerospace and defense. Backed by $21M in funding with two shop acquisitions closing in 2026. You'll join a fast-scaling team where early engineers get promoted into leadership roles as the company grows.

We are looking for a Forward Deployed Integration Engineer with 3-7 years of experience to embed at newly acquired machine shops and drive their transformation into modern, data-driven manufacturing operations. You'll be the face of the company on the shop floor — intaking parts for rockets, missiles, boats, and other advanced hardware, using internal tools to plan and execute manufacturing, and leading change management across the facility.

This is a springboard role where you'll gain exposure across hardware, software, design, manufacturing, and quality — all rolled into one. We're building a team of change agents who have grit, hands-on machining knowledge, and the self-starter mentality to get the ball over the line without waiting for resources.

• Embed at recently acquired machine shops (starting in Denver and Seattle) as the primary technical point of contact, owning the 9-month post-close integration and operating transformation.
• Intake and manage the flow of high-criticality aerospace and defense parts through the facility — from manufacturing planning and raw material transformation through machining, inspection, and post-delivery issue resolution.
• Deploy lean manufacturing practices and drive adoption of client OS (the company's internal operating platform) while earning trust from existing shop-floor staff and leadership.
• Act as a change management leader on the ground, identifying constraints, proposing solutions, and executing improvements to OEE, cycle times, and quality without disrupting existing customer commitments.
• Transfer knowledge back to the platform and manufacturing teams on what worked, what didn’t, and how to improve the playbook for the next acquisition.

• 3 - 7 years of hands-on experience in a machine shop, manufacturing, or production engineering environment, ideally with startup-focused or small business operations experience.
• 2+ years of hands-on machine shop or manufacturing experience.
• Experience at SpaceX (pre-2022), Stoke Space, Anduril, or Shield AI.
• Experience at seed-stage or Series A hardware startups.
  
  Familiarity with GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing).
• Understanding of change management in a manufacturing environment.
• Ability to think through complex manufacturing problems.
• Willingness to travel 60% to 80% of the time.

• Application-based engineering experience.
• Demonstrated history of independent hands-on execution.

• Direct machining experience (CNC milling, turning, Swiss, or EDM).

Base Salary up to $175K + Competitive Equity