Manufacturing Engineer — Defense & Aerospace

Position Overview

As a Manufacturing Engineer in the Defense and Aerospace industry, your primary responsibility will be to develop and improve manufacturing processes and systems, ensuring efficient and cost-effective production. You will work closely with cross-functional teams—including design engineering, production, and quality assurance—to optimize manufacturing operations and drive continuous improvement initiatives. Your expertise will contribute to the development and delivery of high-quality, reliable, and technologically advanced products for defense and aerospace applications.

Key Responsibilities

• Process Development: Design and develop manufacturing processes, procedures, and work instructions that meet product specifications and quality standards. Identify and implement improvements to enhance efficiency, productivity, and safety.
• Production Optimization: Collaborate with design engineers to ensure manufacturability of new products. Analyze production data, identify bottlenecks, and implement corrective actions to optimize workflows and reduce cycle times.
• Equipment Selection and Integration: Evaluate and recommend manufacturing equipment and technologies. Oversee equipment integration, ensuring compliance with industry standards, safety regulations, and customer requirements.
• Continuous Improvement: Lead and participate in Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma initiatives. Identify improvement opportunities, implement process enhancements, and drive efforts to reduce waste, increase quality, and lower costs.
• Quality Assurance: Work with quality teams to maintain and enhance quality control procedures. Resolve production-related quality issues and implement preventive actions to ensure ongoing compliance with industry and customer standards.
• Supply Chain Coordination: Partner with suppliers to ensure timely availability of materials and components. Evaluate supplier capabilities to support production schedules and quality requirements.
• Documentation and Reporting: Maintain accurate documentation such as process specs, SOPs, and engineering change orders. Generate reports on performance metrics and improvement initiatives.
• Safety and Compliance: Ensure compliance with safety regulations and industry standards. Proactively identify and mitigate workplace hazards.

Top 3 Required Qualifications

1. Lean/Six Sigma Experience: Demonstrated expertise in leading or participating in continuous improvement initiatives utilizing Lean Manufacturing and/or Six Sigma methodologies.
2. Industrial Engineering Background: Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field.
3. Process Improvement Experience: Proven success in developing, optimizing, and improving manufacturing processes within a technical or advanced manufacturing environment.

Additional Qualifications & Skills

• 5–7 years of experience in manufacturing engineering roles; defense or aerospace industry preferred.
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes and technologies, including Surface Mount Technology (SMT), Printed Circuit Board Assembly (PCBA), additive manufacturing, assembly, and testing.
• Familiarity with industry standards and regulations such as AS9100, ITAR, and NADCAP.
• Proficiency with CAD/CAM software.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and data interpretation skills.
• Effective communication and collaboration abilities.
• Attention to detail with a focus on quality and reliability.
• Ability to operate in a fast-paced, dynamic setting with changing priorities and deadlines.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

HRU is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

How to Apply for This Job:

To apply for this position, please follow these steps: Apply for this job with your current resume. We’ll get back to you the same day with some feedback on your application. Next you’ll be invited to an online screening conversation so we can go over the job requirements together and you can ask questions. After this stage we’ll give you more feedback on your application and select the candidates to move forward in the process. Typically steps 1 to 4 takes less than 24 hours.

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