Technical Excellence Manufacturing Engineer

AST SpaceMobile•Midland, TX

7h•Hybrid

About The Position

AST SpaceMobile is building the first and only global cellular broadband network in space to operate directly with standard, unmodified mobile devices based on our extensive IP and patent portfolio and designed for both commercial and government applications. Our engineers and space scientists are on a mission to eliminate the connectivity gaps faced by today’s five billion mobile subscribers and finally bring broadband to the billions who remain unconnected. We are seeking a Manufacturing Engineer to develop, evaluate, and improve manufacturing methods and processes that support both the ongoing production of existing products and the successful introduction of new products. This role is responsible for driving process improvements, optimizing equipment performance, supporting capital projects, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure safe, efficient, and cost-effective manufacturing operations.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Associate Level: 0-3 years of experience in a manufacturing environment.
Mid-Level: Minimum of 3 years of experience in a manufacturing environment.
Senior Level: 4-8 years of experience in a manufacturing environment.
Experience with manufacturing processes, tooling, fixturing, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, CAD/CAM software, and advanced Microsoft Excel functions.
Knowledge of statistics, capability studies, tooling, gauging, and Six Sigma methodologies.
Experience creating technical documentation, work instructions, process procedures, and training materials.
Strong organizational, project management, and analytical skills.
Ability to work in both office and manufacturing environments.
Ability to stand, walk, and move throughout production facilities for extended periods.
Ability to use a computer and standard office equipment for extended periods.
Ability to occasionally lift and carry materials, tools, or equipment as needed.
Ability to safely work around manufacturing equipment and machinery while following all safety protocols.
Ability to travel between production areas and participate in on-site equipment evaluations and project activities.

Nice To Haves

Experience with PFMEA and Lean Manufacturing methodologies.
Knowledge of Core Quality Tools, including Control Plans, SPC, MSA, and PFMEA.
Experience working in a liaison or concurrent engineering environment.
Experience with AutoCAD, Inventor, or similar CAD software.
Experience with ERP, MES, and PLM systems, including NetSuite, Solumina, and Fusion 360.
Experience supporting manufacturing operations utilizing robotic equipment.
Demonstrated success implementing process improvements and designing new manufacturing processes using Six Sigma principles.
Six Sigma Black Belt (DMAIC) certification.

Responsibilities

Assess new product concepts and designs for manufacturability and provide recommendations to R&D and Product Engineering teams.
Develop manufacturing methods and processes that achieve safety, quality, cost, and production objectives.
Conduct proof-of-principle and proof-of-concept studies.
Design and implement manufacturing processes, including layouts, tooling, fixturing, programming, testing, and documentation.
Continuously improve production methods using Six Sigma methodologies and engineering best practices.
Provide technical expertise and troubleshooting support for manufacturing operations
Participate in and lead Safety, Kaizen, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Qualify new and modified products through all phases of the manufacturing process.
Conduct root cause analysis and implement corrective actions to eliminate production losses.
Train operations personnel on new processes, procedures, and protocols.
Develop and maintain equipment lifecycle plans, including installation, qualification, maintenance, upgrades, commissioning, validation, and acceptance testing.
Lead equipment capability assessments and identify production bottlenecks.
Support commissioning, validation, and acceptance testing of new production equipment.
Lead data-driven improvement projects focused on reducing downtime and increasing process capacity.
Drive process optimization initiatives to improve machine utilization and reduce cycle times.
Define and execute equipment improvement roadmaps aligned with operational goals.
Evaluate automation opportunities and develop business cases for capital investments.
Manage capital equipment projects from concept through implementation, including scope, budget, scheduling, risk management, and stakeholder communication.
Coordinate cross-functional teams including Operations, Quality, Maintenance, Supply Chain, and New Product Introduction (NPI) teams to execute improvement projects.