Rubbercraft is seeking a Sr. Design Engineering Manager to lead the Design Engineering organization in the development, validation, optimization, and production support of elastomeric components and precision mechanical systems for aerospace, defense, and industrial applications. This senior leadership role is responsible for driving engineering strategy, organizational capability, technical excellence, and cross-functional execution while ensuring alignment with company objectives, customer requirements, manufacturing capabilities, and regulatory standards.
The successful candidate will combine advanced engineering expertise, organizational leadership, strategic planning, and technical decision-making to drive innovation, engineering performance, manufacturing readiness, and long-term engineering capability development across the organization.
About Rubbercraft: Rubbercraft, a member of Arxis, specializes in precision-engineered elastomeric components for aerospace, defense, space, energy, and industrial applications. With over a century of expertise, we design aerodynamic seals, fireproof seals, inflatable canopy seals, flexible rubber connectors, space ablatives, EMI solutions, and elastomeric tooling. As part of Arxis, we leverage a combination of advanced materials and engineering innovation to deliver high-performance solutions for demanding environments, ensuring durability, efficiency, and reliability across industries.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
As a Sr. Design Engineering Manager, you will provide organizational leadership and technical oversight for engineering teams supporting product development, manufacturing readiness, strategic engineering initiatives, and continuous improvement efforts. This position requires advanced leadership capability, engineering judgment, organizational planning, and the ability to manage multiple engineering programs and priorities simultaneously.
1. Engineering Leadership & Organizational Oversight
- Lead and manage Design Engineering personnel and technical support staff.
- Drive engineering organizational strategy, workforce development, and technical capability growth.
- Establish engineering priorities, resource allocation plans, and departmental objectives aligned with business goals.
- Provide leadership and oversight for engineering programs, product development activities, and manufacturing support initiatives.
- Support succession planning, mentoring, technical coaching, and professional development of engineering personnel.
- Drive accountability, performance management, and engineering execution across teams and programs.
- Review and approve engineering deliverables including drawings, specifications, engineering reports and test documentation.
2. Mechanical Design & Development
- Oversee design and development of elastomeric components, sealing systems, and mechanical assemblies for aerospace and defense applications.
- Support engineering teams in development of CAD models, technical drawings, engineering documentation, validation plans and tooling concepts.
- Ensure application of GD&T standards, design for manufacturability (DFM), engineering best practices and product development processes
- Support advanced product development initiatives and engineering innovation efforts.
3. Documentation & Compliance
- Prepare engineering documentation including drawings, specifications, test plans, technical reports, and material documentation.
- Lead and ensure compliance with activities related to AS9100, ISO 9001, FAA, MIL-SPEC, and customer requirements.
- Oversee contract review, technical compliance, and engineering audit activities.
- Oversee ERP, Configuration control and PLM systems.
4. Cross-Functional Leadership & Manufacturing Support
- Collaborate closely with Manufacturing, Quality, Program Management, Supply Chain, and Laboratory teams to support operational objectives and production readiness.
- Lead resolution of technical non-conformances, manufacturing issues, and engineering process challenges.
- Drive communication and alignment between engineering and operations teams.
- Participate in customer technical reviews, supplier discussions, and program meetings.
- Coordinate engineering support for prototype builds, qualification testing, and product validation activities.
- Drive cross-functional communication, technical collaboration, and engineering accountability across departments.
5. Innovation, Strategy & Continuous Improvement
- Lead engineering continuous improvement initiatives related to design processes, manufacturability, testing methods, and engineering efficiency.
- Evaluate new technologies, materials, manufacturing methods, and engineering tools to support long-term business growth.
- Drive development and implementation of engineering best practices, standards, and lessons learned.
- Support evaluation of new technologies, materials, manufacturing methods, and engineering tools.
- Support strategic technology planning and future engineering roadmap initiatives.
Education and/or Experience
Required
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related engineering field.
- Minimum 15 years of engineering experience in mechanical design, product development, or manufacturing engineering.
- Minimum 5 years of leadership or team coordination experience.
Preferred
- Experience leading cross-functional engineering teams and development programs.
- Experience with elastomeric products, or aerospace sealing technologies.
- Experience supporting manufacturing and engineering process improvements.
Skills / Qualifications
1. Technical Skills
Required
- Advanced Proficiency in 3D CAD software (SolidWorks and/or CATIA)
- Strong understanding of GD&T (ASME Y14.5), and Mechanical drawings.
- Ability to independently solve complex engineering problems and guide technical decisions.
- Basic understanding of Rubber molding, Extrusion processes, Additive manufacturing and Design for manufacturability (DFM).
- Exposure to PLM /ERP systems such as 3DX/ENOVIA and Epicor.
- Demonstrated engineering judgment and decision-making ability.
- Ability to lead engineering organizations and guide technical decisions across multiple complex programs.
Preferred
- Experience with aerospace materials, elastomers, polymers, or composites.
- Knowledge of aerospace sealing systems, EMI applications, bonded seals, or high-temperature elastomeric products.
- Exposure to automation, process engineering, or advanced manufacturing initiatives.
2. Soft Skills
- Strong leadership and team development capabilities.
- Excellent analytical and engineering problem-solving skills.
- Effective verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Strong organizational, planning, and project coordination abilities.
- Ability to prioritize multiple technical and operational objectives.
- Demonstrated ability to influence technical direction and engineering best practices.
- Ability to collaborate effectively across all departments and business functions.
BENEFITS:
At Rubbercraft, we recognize how important your career and benefits are to you and your family. We offer a full suite of benefits, including medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability coverage, accident insurance, critical illness insurance, basic and supplemental life insurance, employee assistance plan, retirement savings and matching, and other developmental opportunities. We are committed to supporting the way you live and work.
RCC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to complete the application process may contact Human Resources.
This position requires access to information subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Employment is contingent upon the applicant being a “U.S. person” as defined by ITAR (22 CFR §120.15), which includes U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, refugees, or asylees, as required by U.S. export control laws.
Sanders Industries Holdings, Inc. Long Beach, California, USA Office
Long Beach, CA, United States
Sanders Industries Holdings, Inc. Ontario, California, USA Office
351 E Philadelphia St, Ontario, United States, 91761
Sanders Industries Holdings, Inc. San Clemente, California, USA Office
1035 Calle Amanecer, San Clemente, United States, 92673
Similar Jobs
What you need to know about the Los Angeles Tech Scene
Key Facts About Los Angeles Tech
- Number of Tech Workers: 375,800; 5.5% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
- Major Tech Employers: Snap, Netflix, SpaceX, Disney, Google
- Key Industries: Artificial intelligence, adtech, media, software, game development
- Funding Landscape: $11.6 billion in venture capital funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)
- Notable Investors: Strong Ventures, Fifth Wall, Upfront Ventures, Mucker Capital, Kittyhawk Ventures
- Research Centers and Universities: California Institute of Technology, UCLA, University of Southern California, UC Irvine, Pepperdine, California Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Quantum Science and Engineering
