Description
We are seeking a Staff Manufacturing Engineer to join our Space Manufacturing team.
As a Staff Manufacturing Engineer on our Space team, you will be a technical leader responsible for owning the manufacturing strategy and execution for complex spacecraft hardware. Your expertise will help ensure that our products meet the highest standards of quality and reliability at Anduril.
Your responsibilities will span the entire manufacturing value-chain, including Design for Manufacturability, advanced manufacturing process development, tooling design & selection, supplier technical management, quality system implementation, and comprehensive work documentation. You will lead cross-functional initiatives, mentor junior engineers, and drive manufacturing excellence across PCBA, box-level electronics, electro-optical instruments, and integrated spacecraft systems.
The ideal candidate demonstrates proven leadership in solving complex technical challenges with innovative, practical solutions in fast-paced, resource-constrained environments. You have successfully scaled manufacturing processes from prototype through production and have a track record of delivering high-reliability hardware on aggressive timelines.
Responsibilities:
- Lead the development, documentation, and continuous improvement of manufacturing processes for PCBAs, box-level assemblies, electro-optical instruments, and integrated spacecraft systems, ensuring compliance with space-grade standards (IPC-610/620 Class 3, NASA-STD-8739 series)
- Drive Design for Manufacturability (DFM/DFA) initiatives from concept through production, partnering with design engineers to optimize producibility, yield, and cost while providing hands-on technical leadership to manufacturing technicians
- Own quality assurance for assigned manufacturing processes, lead root cause analyses (RCA) and corrective actions for non-conformances, and proactively mitigate risks through PFMEA, process validation, and quality planning
- Specify, qualify, and deploy advanced assembly tools, fixtures, test equipment, and automation solutions, including custom tooling design using CAD/3D modeling capabilities
- Implement and optimize Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), ERP/MRP workflows, and digital manufacturing tools to enhance traceability, efficiency, and data-driven decision-making
- Establish and manage technical relationships with suppliers and contract manufacturers, conducting assessments, audits, and qualification activities while driving quality improvements and manufacturability enhancements
- Lead or participate in design reviews (PDR, CDR), manufacturing readiness reviews (MRR), and production readiness reviews (PRR) for flight hardware programs
- Collaborate across engineering disciplines (systems, electrical, mechanical, optical, test, quality) and communicate effectively with program management, supply chain, and executive leadership on manufacturing status, risks, and mitigation strategies
- Analyze production data and lead scaling efforts from low-rate to high-rate production, implementing continuous improvement programs (Lean, Six Sigma) to optimize throughput, reduce cycle times, and enhance product reliability while reducing costs
- Define manufacturing strategy for spacecraft product lines, mentor and develop junior engineers and technicians, and represent Manufacturing Engineering in cross-functional leadership forums and strategic planning sessions
Required Qualifications:
- 12+ years of manufacturing engineering experience in aerospace, space systems, aviation, defence, or other high-reliability industries, with a proven track record leading complex manufacturing programs from development through production
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related technical discipline required
- Deep knowledge of aerospace and high-reliability electronics standards, including IPC-610/620 Class 3, IPC J-STD-001 Space Addendum, and NASA-STD-8739 series (soldering, wire harness, conformal coating)
- Expert-level understanding of PCBA manufacturing processes (SMT, through-hole, conformal coating, potting, component selection/screening) and strong technical knowledge of box-level assembly (cabling, harnessing, mechanical integration, thermal management, EMI/EMC)
- Hands-on experience implementing and optimising Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), ERP/MRP systems (SAP, Oracle, Odoo, Aligni), digital work instructions, and manufacturing process controls (SPC, Lean, Six Sigma)
- Demonstrated expertise in root cause analysis (8D, 5-Why, Fishbone, PFMEA), driving corrective/preventive actions (CAPA), and developing/executing process validation, first article inspection (FAI), and manufacturing qualification plans
- Ability to influence design for manufacturability and collaborate with electrical, mechanical, and systems design teams, with experience designing or specifying custom tooling, fixtures, and test equipment for complex assemblies
- Strong technical communication skills with ability to present to cross-functional teams and executive leadership, and proven ability to lead cross-functional initiatives across engineering, quality, supply chain, and operations
- Experience mentoring and developing junior engineers and technicians
- Proven success in fast-paced, startup, or rapid development environments while maintaining meticulous attention to detail and quality, with a hands-on mindset and willingness to work directly on the manufacturing floor alongside technicians
- Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. Top Secret security clearance