Manufacturing Engineer

PDW • Huntsville, AL

27d • Onsite

About The Position

Now, we’re entering a new phase of growth and are looking for a Manufacturing Engineer to drive manufacturability, production readiness, and scalable factory design across multiple sUAS platforms. This role partners with Design Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and Operations to lead DFM/DFMA, NPI industrialization, tooling and fixturing, built-in quality, capacity modeling, automation readiness for high-volume production, and factory/line layout optimization to improve throughput, cost, quality, and safety.

Requirements

• B.S. in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related discipline.
• 7-10 years of industrial engineering experience in a manufacturing environment; aerospace/defense and high-mix electromechanical assembly preferred.
• Demonstrated success leading DFM/DFMA and cross-functional design-to-manufacturing trade studies.
• Strong NPI/industrialization experience (prototype/pilot/ramp) including line readiness, documentation, and ramp planning.
• Experience supporting high-volume, high-throughput manufacturing environments, including designing and scaling automated or semi-automated assembly and test lines.
• Demonstrated experience defining automation equipment requirements and acceptance criteria (URS), supporting capital justifications, and participating in FAT/SAT, process validation, and production ramp to rate.
• Working familiarity with automation technologies and metrics (robotics/cobots, vision systems, automated torque/dispense, conveyors, PLC/HMI concepts, OEE and downtime analysis).
• Hands-on experience defining requirements for manufacturing tooling, fixtures, and gages; coordinating design/fabrication, acceptance testing, and release into production.
• Working knowledge of built-in quality methods (quality at the source, poka-yoke, control plans, PFMEA, gage R&R, and in-process checks) and partnering with Quality to drive capability and reduce escapes.
• Proven capability in capacity planning, line balancing, labor standards, and time studies; advanced Excel/data analysis skills required (Minitab/Power BI a plus).
• Proficiency with layout and visualization tools (AutoCAD, SolidWorks, Visio, or equivalent) and applying ergonomic and safety principles.
• Familiarity with ERP/MES master data and manufacturing documentation (BOMs, routings, work centers, revisions); Lean/Six Sigma experience and strong communication skills.
• Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. Secret security clearance or higher, as required

Responsibilities

• Lead DFM/DFMA reviews from concept through release; deliver clear, prioritized design change recommendations that improve assembly, test, serviceability, and cost.
• Translate design intent into scalable manufacturing processes: define process flow diagrams, value stream maps, routings, and work content for assembly and test.
• Establish and maintain labor standards through time studies (stopwatch, MOST/MTM as applicable); create standard work and staffing models aligned to takt.
• Develop capacity models for critical work centers and resources (labor, equipment, test stations); identify bottlenecks and drive mitigation plans.
• Own factory/line/cell layout development and optimization: material flow, kitting, point of use storage, WIP control, and ergonomic/safety considerations.
• Identify, evaluate, and industrialize automation opportunities for high-volume assembly and test (e.g., automated screwdriving, dispensing, vision inspection, inline functional test, and serialization/traceability), partnering with Manufacturing Systems and Automation Engineering, and equipment vendors.
• Support specification, layout, and commissioning of automated workcells and production lines: cycle time studies, line balancing, OEE/downtime analysis, safety integration, and ramp stabilization to steady-state performance.
• Define, specify, and validate production tooling, fixturing, and gaging (assembly jigs, test fixtures, torque tooling, and poka-yoke devices) to enable safe, repeatable, and efficient builds.
• Partner with NPI to plan and execute prototype, pilot, and ramp builds: line readiness checklists, tooling/fixturing/gage needs, training plans, and build learning capture.
• Drive line balancing and continuous improvement initiatives (5S, kaizen, Kanban, SMED, poka-yoke) to reduce waste and increase throughput.
• Embed built-in quality into process design: in-station verification, error proofing, standardized work, and capability targets (SPC/process capability as applicable) to improve first pass yield and prevent escapes.
• Collaborate with Manufacturing, Quality and Core Engineering on PFMEAs, control plans, and inspection/test strategies, incorporate capability targets and feedback loops.
• Support cost and investment decisions by quantifying labor, equipment, and space requirements; contribute to make/buy analyses and capital justifications.

Benefits

• Comprehensive BCBS medical, dental, and vision coverage; 80% sponsored by the company.
• Safe Harbor 401(K) with company match.
• Paid Parental Leave.
• A work environment that encourages teamwork and innovation.
• On-site gym at our Huntsville, AL location.
• Employer provided life insurance.
• Robust Employee Assistant Program (EAP).
• Competitive salary, generous paid time off (PTO), and flexible leave options.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 11-50 employees