Manufacturing Engineer III-Composites

Firefly Aerospace•Briggs, TX

About The Position

Firefly Aerospace is seeking a highly motivated Manufacturing Engineer to join its Structures Department. The role supports development of a large liquid-fueled composite rocket and full-rate production on current vehicles and programs. The engineer will develop tooling and fixtures for development and production programs, improve and optimize manufacturing processes, create new processes, and provide technical expertise to enhance production capabilities. The position calls for strong engineering experience, practical problem-solving skills, and the ability to learn quickly.

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 record of driving process improvements and delivering results in a fast-paced environment.
High initiative and self-motivation, with the ability to thrive in a dynamic, challenging work environment.
Excellent problem-solving and analytical abilities.

Nice To Haves

Five or more years working in an aerospace manufacturing or engineering environment with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical, aerospace, or a similar field.
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

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 increase efficiency, quality, cost-effectiveness, production capacity, and cycle times.
Own hardware development and production processes, ensuring schedule adherence and driving continuous improvements.
Develop and implement tooling and fixturing solutions that improve manufacturing efficiency and quality.
Serve as the primary point of contact for part expertise, understanding hardware details and guiding its fabrication.
Support manufacturing floor operations and work with production teams to identify and implement improvements.
Create work instructions and procedures to standardize manufacturing and ensure consistent product quality.
Lead resolution of nonconformance issues by assessing root causes and implementing corrective actions.
Collaborate with design, manufacturing, and quality teams to integrate work into production.
Manage manufacturing programs to meet quality, cost, and schedule requirements.
Identify production challenges and implement solutions to ensure timely delivery of quality aerospace components.
Implement and maintain quality control measures that meet industry standards and customer expectations.
Identify cost-saving opportunities and participate in cost-reduction initiatives while maintaining product integrity.
Promote continuous improvement and apply Lean and Six Sigma principles throughout manufacturing.
Mentor less experienced engineers.