Manufacturing Engineer – Composites
Applied Aerospace and Defense – Santa Ana, CA
$110,000 – $150,000 per year, depending on experience Ready to engineer what’s next in aerospace? At Applied Aerospace and Defense, we don’t just build components — we build the systems that keep missions in the air and customers moving forward. If you’re passionate about composites, hands-on problem-solving, and making an impact where precision matters, this is your role. Since 1959, our Santa Ana facility has been manufacturing some of the industry’s most complex aerospace structures, assemblies, landing gear, and external fuel tanks. We innovate. We improve. We deliver. And we’re looking for a Manufacturing Engineer who shares that mindset. Why This Role Stands Out
You’ll be at the center of composite manufacturing — defining processes, driving improvements, and shaping how mission-critical components are built. If you love diving into technical challenges, leading root-cause investigations, implementing smarter processes, and working side-by-side with production, quality, and engineering teams, you’ll thrive here. What You’ll Lead
• Develop and maintain advanced work instructions for composite production
• Drive Safety, Cost, Quality, and Delivery performance with hands-on technical support
• Support quoting activities with Purchasing and Business Development
• Establish standard hours and process capability requirements
• Lead root-cause analysis and corrective action implementation
• Implement SPC on key composite processes
• Translate engineering blueprints into clear, executable manufacturing instructions
• Train operators and mentor engineers
• Launch new processes for new product introduction
• Drive productivity improvements and cost-saving initiatives
• Assess and coordinate component repairs
• Champion safety and quality every step of the way What You Bring
• Strong background in aerospace composite manufacturing
• Ability to create and improve manufacturing processes
• Root-cause analysis and corrective action experience
• Familiarity with Lean, Six Sigma, and SPC
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills
• A continuous improvement mindset and passion for engineering challenge Why You’ll Love Working Here
Competitive pay. Strong benefits. A performance-driven culture. A team that values innovation, diversity, and professional growth. At Applied Aerospace and Defense, your impact will be felt every day. U.S. work authorization required. Background check and drug screen required.
Applied Aerospace and Defense is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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