Manufacturing Engineer 4

APPLIED COMPOSITES•Los Alamitos, CA

About The Position

Applied Composites Los Alamitos is seeking a Senior Manufacturing Engineer with composites processing and tool design experience. The role serves as a technical leader and subject matter expert in composite tool and assembly fixture design, manufacturing and assembly process definition, and the application of production and inspection systems and equipment. The engineer supports multiple programs and functional organizations and may act as program manager for customer programs. The position develops and optimizes cost-effective manufacturing methods that meet product specifications and quality standards, creates manufacturing-process documentation across at least four composite manufacturing areas, and provides technical oversight and troubleshooting support throughout production. The role also works with multidisciplinary teams, customers, suppliers, production personnel, technicians, and operations staff to improve processes, resolve production challenges, and support customer reviews and technical activities. The role requires at least eight years of progressive responsibility in manufacturing engineering or a closely related discipline in aerospace composites manufacturing. A bachelor’s degree or equivalent in manufacturing, mechanical, aerospace, or a related technical discipline is preferred. Applicants must be U.S. persons as defined by ITAR because the position requires access to information subject to ITAR.

Requirements

At least 8 years of progressive responsibility in manufacturing engineering or a closely related discipline within aerospace composites manufacturing environments.
Working knowledge of materials and processes used to produce aerospace composite parts and assemblies.
Experience with prepreg, core, resin and adhesive systems, bonded and mechanically fastened assemblies, and tooling and fixturing materials and methods.
Proficiency with SolidWorks, NX, or Creo design software.
Ability to interpret customer drawings, tolerances, CAD models, and specifications and use them to guide or create models and drawings for shop aids, molds, and assembly fixtures.
Experience providing technical requirements for tooling and fixture design.
Ability to perform tolerance stack-up analyses to inform tool-design requirements.
Experience creating 3-D and 2-D shop aids and templates.
Experience with aerospace composites lamination, adhesive bonding, and structural assembly processes.
Ability to create statements of work for tool procurement.
Experience working with multi-axis CNC machining equipment.
Working knowledge of laser tracker and CMM inspection methods and data analysis.
Familiarity with structural assembly alignment and positioning methods using a laser tracker.
Experience generating work instructions and production travelers.
Experience identifying and implementing manufacturing-process improvements.
Experience with design and process validation methods and familiarity with control plans and risk-mitigation methods.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office.
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
Excellent verbal, written, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.
Ability to develop executive-level presentations, technical reports, and business cases supporting strategic initiatives.
Ability to interface effectively with customers and suppliers across multiple programs.
Must be a U.S. person as defined by ITAR: a U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident, political asylee, or refugee.

Nice To Haves

Machining and/or CNC programming experience using Mastercam.

Responsibilities

Interpret engineering specifications to determine product and process requirements.
Develop and continually optimize cost-effective manufacturing processes and methods in accordance with product specifications and quality standards.
Develop, create, and implement manufacturing-process documentation in at least four composite manufacturing areas: lay-up, panel build, detail fabrication, surface measurements and tooling alignment, machining, sub-assembly, and structures integration.
Read and interpret engineering drawings to create product-indented bills of material.
Select or develop manufacturing methods to maximize production efficiency.
Determine optimum process parameters, document work instructions, identify and implement process improvements, and develop tool and shop-aid designs as needed.
Collaborate with production personnel to maintain smooth production flow and provide technical oversight to shop personnel throughout manufacturing.
Support customer reviews and technical interchange meetings.
Support investigations and process-improvement studies; research solutions to manufacturing problems and processing-equipment needs, make recommendations, and implement solutions.
Track, report, and analyze defects; determine root causes and implement corrective actions.
Collaborate in product development with multidisciplinary project teams.
May act as program manager for customer programs.
Provide advanced troubleshooting support and lead root-cause investigations and corrective-action efforts for complex production challenges.
Prepare technical presentation materials for customer audits, qualification activities, and technical reviews.
Provide technical leadership, coaching, and mentoring to team members, technicians, and operations personnel.
Lead knowledge-sharing initiatives and contribute to engineering standards, training programs, succession planning, and engineering talent development.
Facilitate technical training on composite manufacturing processes, equipment, and best practices.