Principal Manufacturing Engineer

Millennium Space Systems • El Segundo, CA

80d • $142,800 - $256,250

About The Position

The Principal Manufacturing Engineer leads the definition, qualification, and continuous improvement of manufacturing processes that deliver high-performance satellite hardware on the aggressive timelines that define our mission. With 15 + years of aerospace or related industry experience, you will provide technical ownership, strategic guidance, and cross-functional leadership to scale production from low-rate to full-rate while championing our values of Innovation, Excellence, Collaboration, and Agility. This position's internal job code is Manufacturing Engineer. Our team is currently hiring for levels 5-6.

Requirements

• Education – Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace, or related engineering (ABET-accredited).
• Experience – 15 + years in manufacturing, mechanical/electrical/test engineering within aerospace, defense, or high-mix, low-volume industries. Proven track record scaling satellite or complex electronic hardware from prototype to serial production.
• Technical Mastery – Deep knowledge of IPC-A-600/610, NASA-STD-8739.1, IPC-6012/4101/7711C-7721C, and modern Lean/Six-Sigma tools.
• Problem-Solving – Demonstrated expertise in root-cause analysis (8D, Fishbone, Five Whys) and implementation of corrective actions with measurable results.
• Leadership – Experience leading multi-disciplinary teams, influencing senior stakeholders, and delivering on large-scale technical programs.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in Engineering (ABET-accredited).
• Certified IPC-A-600/610 or equivalent process-audit certification.
• Hands-on experience with PCB/PCBA manufacturing, Altium Designer, and high-frequency RF assemblies.
• Background in Lean Manufacturing, digital twins, or AI-enabled process monitoring.
• Prior work on DoD or NASA programs; familiarity with CMMC and other cybersecurity standards for manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Design for Manufacturing (DFM) & Scalability – Partner with VP Engineering and Systems Engineering to embed DFM early in concept and detailed design phases. Own transition plans from prototype to high-rate production, establishing scalable workcells and modular assembly lines.
• Performance & Quality Leadership – Set quantitative targets for first-pass yield, cycle-time reduction (≥20 % vs. current baseline), and cost of poor quality. Direct advanced testing strategies and ensure compliance with IPC-A-600/610, NASA-STD-8739.1, and emerging CMMC requirements.
• Schedule Ownership – Provide executive scenario planning for production scaling. Integrate manufacturing schedules with supply-chain master plans, flagging risks to VP Manufacturing.
• Continuous Improvement & Lean Transformation – Champion Lean, Six-Sigma, and digital-thread initiatives across the ATLO and assembly lines. Mentor senior engineers and lead Kaizen events.
• Mentorship & Talent Development – Coach and develop the next generation of manufacturing engineers, aligning with HR’s retention goals. Represent Manufacturing Engineering in cross-functional councils (Quality, Supply Chain, Operations) to embed a 'quality-first' mindset.
• Stakeholder Communication – Produce executive-level dashboards and quarterly reports on manufacturing health, risk, and improvement outcomes. Act as the primary technical liaison for customers and program managers on manufacturability and schedule confidence.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees