Senior Manufacturing Engineer, Turbojet Engines

Divergent • Torrance, CA

21h

About The Position

Divergent is hiring a Senior Manufacturing Engineer to bridge design and production for its turbojet propulsion products. The role makes engine designs manufacturable, develops and matures production processes, and ensures components and assemblies meet the quality and reliability standards required for flight-critical propulsion hardware. The engineer will guide new engine concepts from prototype through qualification and into repeatable production. Depending on experience and demonstrated technical expertise, the position may be hired at Engineer II or Senior Engineer level; higher-level engineers are expected to own more complex manufacturing programs, lead technical problem-solving, optimize processes, and provide technical guidance to cross-functional teams.

The role owns manufacturing end to end for turbojet development and production programs, including components and full engine builds. It develops and improves processes for rotating hardware, hot-section and static components, and final assembly; supports new product introduction, engine build, balancing, and test-cell readiness; and incorporates test findings into design and process changes. It also maintains manufacturing documentation and quality controls, leads investigations and corrective actions, and provides technical guidance to production teams. The position works closely with design, materials, and test engineers and supports cross-functional program teams and the growth and hiring of the Manufacturing Engineering Department.

Requirements

• Ability to lawfully access information and technology subject to U.S. export controls.
• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Materials Engineering, or a related field.
• At least 2 years of manufacturing engineering experience for Engineer II, or at least 5 years for Senior Engineer, in aerospace or defense, with direct exposure to gas turbine engines, turbomachinery, or comparable high-temperature, high-speed rotating hardware.
• Hands-on experience with precision machining difficult alloys, such as nickel superalloys including Inconel 718, titanium, or stainless steels, including 5-axis machining.
• Proficiency in CAD, such as Siemens NX, and strong command of GD&T, tolerance stack-ups, and inspection methods including CMM, optical, and surface metrology.
• Working knowledge of special processes such as heat treatment, welding, coatings, and NDT, including FPI, radiography, and CT.
• Experience with MES, PLM, and ERP systems.
• Track record of taking complex hardware from concept through production in high-reliability applications.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with metal engine-component additive manufacturing, such as laser powder bed fusion, including post-processing and qualification.
• Experience with rotor balancing, turbine blade or vane manufacturing, and/or engine assembly and test.
• Lean Six Sigma certification or equivalent continuous improvement expertise.
• Familiarity with AS9100, AS9102, and ISO 9001 quality systems.
• Experience with robotics or automation in machining, inspection, or assembly.

Responsibilities

• Own manufacturing end to end for turbojet development and production programs, from individual components through full engine build.
• Serve as technical lead for manufacturing processes across rotating hardware, hot-section components, static components, and final engine assembly.
• Develop, implement, and refine scalable processes for turbojet components, including compressor and turbine wheels, blisks, shafts, casings, combustors, nozzles, and bearing housings.
• Improve yield, cycle time, and first-pass quality through data-driven continuous improvement.
• Establish and control special processes, including heat treatment, welding and brazing, balancing, coatings, and nondestructive testing.
• Track emerging technologies in additive manufacturing, advanced machining, and high-temperature materials, and introduce them where they strengthen product and cost position.
• Lead new engine designs through the factory, troubleshooting and iterating to meet development timelines.
• Apply Design for Manufacturability in collaboration with design, materials, and test engineers to balance performance, cost, and producibility.
• Introduce equipment, fixtures, tooling, and processes, and validate them to support engine qualification.
• Support engine build, balancing, and test-cell readiness, and incorporate test findings into design and process changes.
• Develop and maintain work instructions, process plans, routings, and AS9102 first article inspection packages in compliance with AS9100.
• Ensure processes meet customer, regulatory, and internal quality system requirements, including special process controls and material and process specifications.
• Lead nonconformance investigations, root cause analysis, and corrective action, including MRB dispositions on critical rotating and life-limited parts.
• Provide technical guidance to technicians, machinists, and production staff, fostering excellence, collaboration, and continuous learning.
• Lead cross-functional program teams.
• Support Manufacturing Engineering Department Leadership in team growth and hiring.

Benefits

• Competitive salary, equity plan, and discretionary results-based incentive bonus opportunities.
• Paid vacation, sick time, and company holidays, including a year-end shutdown.
• Paid parental leave.
• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits, with HMO and Premium PPO options.
• Company-sponsored life insurance and short- and long-term disability coverage.
• Reimbursement opportunities for learning and development initiatives.

What This Job Offers

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