Director of Manufacturing Engineering

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Full Time Management Huntington Beach, CA, US

25 days ago Requisition

Salary Range: $ To $ Annually

Karman Space & Defense is a leader in the rapid design, development, and production of critical, next-generation system solutions that align with the U.S. Department of War and its allies’ core mission priorities, and meet the accelerating demand for access to space. Building on nearly 50 years of success, we deliver Payload & Protection Systems, Aero/Hydrodynamic Interstage Systems, and Propulsion & Launch Systems to more than 80 prime contractors supporting over 130 space and defense programs.

In this role, you will lead manufacturing engineering strategy and execution across all production value streams. You will drive process capability, technical problem-solving, new product introduction readiness, and continuous improvement while ensuring alignment among engineering, operations, quality, programs, and supply chain. You will guide the development of scalable, high-performance manufacturing systems that strengthen safety, productivity, quality, and cost performance across Karman’s facilities.

Responsibilities

• Leads and develops a cross-functional team of manufacturing engineers, machinists, computer numerical control (CNC) programmers, and industrial engineers to standardize planning, work instructions, and manufacturing flow.
• Establishes technical direction for manufacturing engineering, including process design, tooling, fixtures, machining methods, and assembly approaches.
• Builds a culture of accountability, ownership, problem-solving, and continuous improvement.
• Defines and maintains standard manufacturing processes, specifications, and work instructions using continuous-improvement methodologies.
• Implements process controls including process failure mode and effects analyses (PFMEAs), validations, and capability studies.
• Drives improvements in throughput, setup time, scrap reduction, cycle time, and labor efficiency.
• Incorporates artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support machining and labor-hour proposal estimates.
• Collaborates with design engineering and customers to ensure manufacturability of new products.
• Leads manufacturing readiness activities including tooling, process validation, and production ramp.
• Coordinats with program management, quality, and supply chain to support on-time and cost-effective product launches.
• Partners with operations and site leadership to meet production goals and resolve technical barriers.
• Works with quality teams to ensure adherence to aerospace and defense standards such as AS9100.
• Interfaces with supply chain to support supplier capability, manufacturability, and technical requirements.
• Supports customer and regulatory audits and provides required technical documentation.
• Assesses and implements new technologies, automation, and equipment to strengthen manufacturing capability.
• Supports long-term strategies for manufacturing scalability, factory layout, and capital investment.
• Establishes key performance indicators (KPIs) for process stability, efficiency, and capacity.
• Provides regular updates to executive leadership on performance trends, major risks, and improvement initiatives.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in manufacturing engineering, mechanical engineering, industrial engineering, or a related field.
• Ten or more years of manufacturing engineering experience in aerospace, defense, or complex precision manufacturing.
• Five or more years of leadership experience overseeing technical teams.
• Experience in machining, composites, assembly, or special…