Lead, Composite Manufacturing Engineer

Firefly Aerospace•Briggs, TX

About The Position

Firefly Aerospace is seeking a Lead, Composite Manufacturing Engineer to develop tooling and fixtures for development and production programs, drive continuous improvement, optimize and develop manufacturing processes, and provide technical expertise to enhance production capabilities. The role requires a strong engineering background, practical problem-solving experience, and the ability to learn quickly. The position leads manufacturing team tasking and priorities, serves as the Manufacturing team’s Integrated Product Lead, and mentors and coaches team members. It owns hardware development and production processes and oversees manufacturing programs to meet quality, cost, and schedule requirements. The role works closely with design, manufacturing, quality, and production teams to support aerospace composite manufacturing and deliver high-quality components.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering field.
10 years of experience in carbon fiber composite aerospace manufacturing.
Strong technical aptitude and ability to quickly become an expert on complex hardware.
Proficiency in CAD software for developing tooling and fixturing designs.
Excellent communication skills and ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.
Demonstrated track record of driving process improvements and delivering results in a fast-paced environment.
High initiative, self-motivation, and ability to thrive in a dynamic and challenging work environment.
Excellent problem-solving and analytical abilities.

Nice To Haves

5+ years working in an aerospace manufacturing or engineering environment with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical, aerospace, or a similar area.
Master's degree.
Automated Fiber Placement experience.
Quick-turn custom composite tooling design and fabrication experience.
Six Sigma or Lean manufacturing Black Belt certification.

Responsibilities

Manage team member tasking and priorities based on schedule IMS needs.
Act as Integrated Product Lead for the Manufacturing team.
Train and coach team members on complex problem solving.
Lead the design and development of tooling, fixtures, and production equipment for aerospace composite components, selecting materials and manufacturing processes that meet aerospace standards.
Evaluate and improve manufacturing processes, tooling, and fixtures to optimize efficiency, quality, and cost-effectiveness, increase production capacity, and reduce cycle times.
Take ownership of hardware development and production processes, ensuring adherence to schedules and driving continuous improvements.
Develop innovative tooling and fixturing solutions to improve manufacturing efficiency and quality.
Serve as the primary point of contact for part expertise, understanding hardware intricacies and guiding fabrication.
Support manufacturing floor operations and work with production teams to identify and implement improvements.
Create work instructions and procedures to standardize manufacturing processes and product quality.
Resolve nonconformance issues by assessing root causes and implementing corrective actions.
Work with cross-functional design, manufacturing, and quality teams to integrate products into production.
Manage manufacturing programs to meet quality, cost, and schedule requirements.
Identify production challenges and implement solutions to ensure timely delivery of high-quality aerospace components.
Implement and maintain quality control measures to meet industry standards and customer expectations.
Identify cost-saving opportunities and participate in cost-reduction initiatives while maintaining product integrity.
Drive Lean and Six Sigma principles and a culture of continuous improvement.
Mentor less experienced engineers.