Manufacturing / Production Transition Engineer - Clearwater, FL

Role Overview
This role ensures that complex autonomous platforms can transition from prototype development to scalable, repeatable production.
The focus is on embedding manufacturing readiness, scalability, and production feasibility into engineering decisions early in the lifecycle.
The key distinction: understanding the difference between"a prototype that works” vs. "a product that can be built at scale.”

Key Responsibilities
Manufacturing Strategy & Validation

• Validate manufacturing and production concepts
• Define scalable approaches for:
  • Fabrication
  • Assembly
  • Integration
  • Inspection
  • Transport

Design for Manufacturability (DFM)

• Provide DFM input during design and development
• Evaluate:
  • Geometry
  • Interfaces
  • Tolerances
  • Assembly methods
• Ensure designs support production scalability

Engineering & Cross-Functional Integration

• Review:
  • Drawings
  • Design packages
  • Supplier inputs
  • Engineering changes
• Participate in cross-functional design reviews
• Ensure production realities are incorporated early

Production & Process Development

• Define production processes:
  • Tooling
  • Inspection strategies
  • Material flow
  • Quality checkpoints
  • Assembly sequences
• Develop prototype-to-production transition plans
• Define workflows and facility requirements

Risk Management & Continuous Improvement

• Identify manufacturing risks early
• Drive corrective actions before design freeze
• Capture lessons learned from:
  • Testing
  • Integration
  • Production trials

Vendor & Program Support

• Support supplier engagement
• Contribute to long-term production strategy
• Align multi-platform production scalability

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in:
  • Manufacturing
  • Mechanical
  • Industrial
  • Aerospace / Marine Engineering
• 5+ years in:
  • Manufacturing
  • Production engineering
  • Complex system fabrication
• Experience with:
  • Prototype-to-production transition
  • Production process validation
• Strong knowledge of:
  • Design-for-manufacturing (DFM)
  • Production scalability
• Familiarity with:
  • Tolerances
  • Inspection methods
  • Quality control
• Strong cross-functional collaboration skills
• Strong problem-solving ability