Build Engineer, Large Scale Machining

Hadrian Automation • Torrance, CA

19h • $150,000 - $220,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Hadrian is seeking a Build Engineer, Large Scale Machining, to own how large machined parts—including castings, forgings, plate weldments, and hull-scale structures—are built, from initial design review through qualification, ramp, and handoff to standard production. The role connects product requirements with Capability Engineering by interpreting requirements, driving design for manufacturability, defining build flows and sequences, and handing off clearly defined machining needs.

The engineer will own new product and process introduction for large machined parts end to end, including defining factory flow, machining processes, datums, setups, inspection, and interfaces with welding, cladding, and assembly. The work spans collaboration with Design, Supply Chain, Capability Engineering, Tooling, Quality, and Operations. This is a hands-on role that includes being at the machine for first parts and owning build outcomes.

The role is part of the Build Engineering Commodities team, alongside sheet metal and tube and pipe. The position requires on-site work at Hadrian’s factory. Hadrian states that full-time employee benefits include medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, a 401(k), potential relocation support based on business need, a flexible vacation policy, and equity. ITAR-related eligibility requirements apply; candidates must meet the stated U.S. citizenship, residency, protected-individual, or authorization criteria.

Requirements

• At least 5 years of experience in build, manufacturing, or production engineering, with direct ownership of large machined parts (roughly 2 m and up, castings, forgings, or heavy weldments) from requirements through production.
• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, or Industrial Engineering, or equivalent hands-on experience.
• Experience interpreting and defining product requirements from customer specifications, drawings, and contract quality clauses and translating them into build requirements.
• Strong GD&T and tolerance-stack skills across multi-setup parts, with a proven datum strategy.
• Working knowledge of large-format machining—including horizontal boring mills, gantry and bridge mills, large 5-axis machining centers, and VTLs—and large-part metrology sufficient to drive DFM and set build flow.
• Experience reverse engineering parts or assemblies from incomplete technical data, legacy drawings, or physical parts.
• Experience structuring BOMs, work orders, and work instructions in PLM, ERP, or MES systems, including engineering change and configuration management.
• Proficiency in 3D CAD.
• Comfort working hands-on on the factory floor and making sound decisions under schedule pressure.
• Ability to work on-site at Hadrian’s factory.
• Must meet the stated ITAR eligibility requirements: be a U.S. citizen or national, lawful permanent resident, protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain required U.S. Department of State authorizations.

Nice To Haves

• Hands-on experience running or programming large-format machines, including reading and critiquing CNC toolpaths.
• Experience controlling distortion on large parts, including stress-relief sequencing, stock strategy, and thermal effects.
• Experience with difficult materials such as Monel and other nickel-copper alloys, stainless steel, dissimilar-metal joints, and cladded surfaces.
• Exposure to weld qualification (PQR/WPS) where machined features meet weld joints.
• Background in aerospace, defense, naval, or energy programs involving first article and customer source inspection.
• Experience establishing a new cell or factory while the product was still in development.

Responsibilities

• Interpret customer specifications, drawings, and contract requirements; translate them into machining requirements, critical characteristics, and inspection needs.
• Reverse engineer parts and assemblies with incomplete or legacy technical data to establish design intent, critical features, and a buildable sequence.
• Review models and drawings for large-scale machinability, including casting stock allowance, datum structure, tolerance stack across setups, tool and probe access, and distortion risk; drive changes before design freeze.
• Own the end-to-end machining route, including roughing, stress relief, semi-finishing, finishing, and inspection, as well as handoffs to weld, cladding, and assembly.
• Set the number of setups, establish and carry forward datums, and determine when match-machining with mating assemblies is required.
• Define the high-level process for each operation, including envelope, critical features, material condition, cycle time against rate, and inspection approach; hand it off to Capability Engineering complete and on time.
• Define lift points, handling, and factory part flow so rigging and logistics can plan around the part.
• Own design intent for large-part fixtures, workholding, lift fixtures, and inspection aids, partnering with Tooling Engineering on detailed design and build.
• Provide setup sheets, datum schemes, and critical-feature intent to CNC Programming.
• Build and maintain BOM structures, work orders, and Opus work instructions in Hadrian’s PLM, ERP, and MES systems; own engineering change and configuration control as the design matures.
• Recommend make-or-buy decisions, write technical packages for buy parts, and own both paths when a program runs them in parallel.
• Plan and execute subscale development articles and full-scale qualification builds, including alternate-material development when it reduces risk, and own first-article delivery.
• Own disposition and root cause for new-product non-conformances and drive corrective action into the design, plan, or process.

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Life insurance
• 401(k)
• Relocation support may be provided in certain situations, based on business need
• Flexible vacation policy
• Equity

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior