Manufacturing Engineer

Vatn Systems • Bristol, RI

26d

About The Position

At Vatn Systems, Manufacturing Engineers help transition advanced Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) from research and development to full-scale production. The role involves rapidly developing and iterating manufacturing processes and advanced tooling for complex electromechanical systems, high-precision sensors, and software-enabled vehicles operating in challenging marine environments. Responsibilities span design for manufacturability, tooling design and selection, process creation and optimization, vendor sourcing and interaction, quality planning, and manufacturing documentation for assigned hardware.

Requirements

• Degree in a technical field such as engineering, mathematics, or a hard science.
• At least 3 years of relevant experience, preferably in manufacturing or design of electromechanical hardware.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver electromechanical hardware to specification in a startup environment.
• Demonstrated in-kind or direct team leadership skills, supported by examples.
• Personal hands-on experience manufacturing hardware through methods such as machining, fabrication, soldering, or assembly; personal or extracurricular project experience is a plus.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• A strong, persistent sense of urgency and enthusiasm.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with AUVs, ROVs, or other marine robotic systems.
• Experience with pressure vessels or pressure systems and equipment.
• IPC-A-610, IPC/WHMA-A-620, or J-STD-001 certifications.
• Knowledge of fiber optics, sonar systems, acoustic sensors, or marine navigation systems.
• Familiarity with ERP/MRP systems and MES platforms for tracking work orders and materials.
• Previous involvement in NPI programs, with exposure to lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement strategies.
• Understanding of marine corrosion prevention and subsea sealing techniques.

Responsibilities

• Own part or all of the manufacturing value chain for a product or group of products.
• Create documentation needed to manufacture hardware at scale, including work instructions, quality plans, and inspection requirements.
• Develop process flows that break down complex assemblies into logical parts, subassemblies, and subprocesses.
• Work with upstream engineering teams to ensure designs can be manufactured at scale.
• Work with contract manufacturers across disciplines—including PCBA fabrication, metal and plastic manufacturing, and assembly—to develop repeatable processes for quick-turn development and scaled production.
• Work hands-on with technicians and engineers to build prototype and production-grade hardware.
• Develop novel tooling solutions for fabricating and assembling structural parts.
• Contribute to customer hardware mechanical or electrical design, including interconnects, board fabrication, and inspection.

What This Job Offers

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