Manufacturing Process Engineer - Special Processes | Stand Up the Metal Processes Behind a New Air Defense Production Line
Gardena, CA | On-site
Opportunity Summary
A Series A, venture-backed defense manufacturer is scaling production of low-cost air defense systems and is hiring one of the first manufacturing engineers on its ground systems team. This engineer will lead the in-house introduction of special processes for large metal structures, including welding, heat treatment, coatings, bonding and fastening, as vehicle-mounted launcher hardware moves from early prototypes to repeatable production of dozens of units per quarter.
The role sits between design and the shop floor. You will run trade studies that steer design choices, give designers clear DFM feedback based on what each process can reliably hold, write the process controls and test criteria that protect product life, and help carry out the capital equipment plan that gets the line running. We want someone who has brought at least one complex process from nothing into production and is eager to do it again with real ownership.
About Us
We are a Series A, venture-backed defense technology company in the Los Angeles area building affordable air defense systems designed for high-volume production. Our team includes engineers and operators from leading commercial space, defense technology and electric vehicle companies, and we design and build our subsystems in house so we can iterate and test quickly. Our focus now is taking proven prototypes into production at a scale traditional defense supply chains struggle to reach.
Job Duties
- Lead the in-house introduction of special processes for metal structures, including welding, mechanical fastening, adhesive dispense and cure, coatings and heat treatment
- Work side by side with design engineers to shape parts and assemblies for low cost, high reliability and ease of manufacture
- Run trade studies that guide design direction, make vs. buy decisions and capital equipment investments
- Define process control standards, qualification approaches and test requirements so hardware meets life expectations in weather, shock and vibration environments
- Build models and drawings in SOLIDWORKS for tooling, fixtures and production hardware
- Plan and execute test and iteration cycles that prove reliability across all operating conditions
- Specify, source and commission production equipment in line with the CapEx plan
- Manage the production flow from supplier sourcing through final assembly and integration, balancing cost, complexity and quality
- Drive ongoing improvements toward higher rate, higher yield and dependable output, and help build out the manufacturing team over time
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, manufacturing engineering or a related technical field
- 5+ years of hands-on experience developing and introducing manufacturing processes
- Proven record of taking at least one complex special process from scratch into production
- Working knowledge of welding methods, fasteners, adhesives and other special processes, including qualification needs across materials and production rates
- Proficiency with 3D CAD and large assembly models and drawings (SOLIDWORKS preferred)
- Strong grasp of GD&T, mechanical engineering fundamentals and failure modes in complex mechanical systems
- Experience using trade studies to drive engineering and business decisions
- Exposure to production equipment such as motion systems, dispense systems, temperature controllers, industrial sensors and casting or molding machines
- Strong organization and clear written and verbal communication
- Ability to work extended hours and weekends when program needs require
- U.S. person as defined by ITAR
Preferred Experience
- Process development focused on metal structures, especially welding and coatings
- Background in defense, aerospace, automotive body or chassis, or large tooling environments
- Experience at both prototype and high-rate volumes, with a high-volume mindset
- Breadth across many processes rather than ownership of one narrow slice of a line
- Master's degree in a relevant engineering discipline
- Experience standing up a new production line or factory capability at a startup
Why Join Us
- Be one of the first manufacturing engineers on the ground systems team, with room to grow into leadership as the group expands
- Define the process standards and equipment for a brand new production line
- See your work go from first article to fielded hardware supporting national defense
- Well-funded Series A company with strong demand and an aggressive test cadence
- Small, highly experienced team where decisions happen fast
- Competitive salary with meaningful early-stage equity
Compensation Details
$140,000 - $190,000 + equity
ITAR Requirement
This position requires access to technical data controlled under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Applicants must be U.S. persons as defined by 22 CFR 120.62.