Leads aerospace composite manufacturing engineering across tooling, fixtures, process definition, production systems, and inspection methods. Develops work instructions, shop aids, process documentation, and manufacturing improvements; interprets drawings and specifications; supports root-cause investigations, corrective actions, customer reviews, and technical programs. Provides technical leadership and mentoring while applying expertise in composites, bonding, structural assembly, CNC machining, laser tracker and CMM inspection, and CAD-based tool design.
Applied Composites Los Alamitos (ACLA) is seeking a Sr. Manufacturing Engineer with Composites Processing and Tool Design Background, who will serve as a technical leader and subject matter expert in composite tool and assembly fixture design, manufacturing & assembly process definition, and production and inspection systems & equipment application, while supporting multiple programs and functional organizations.
About ACLA:
Come and join the Applied Composites Los Alamitos team. We are a leading provider of complex space-flight composite parts and assemblies. Our employees are respected contributors to our success. If you are looking for a company that values and develops its employees while offering engaging work, Applied Composites may be the place for you.
Benefits:
At Applied Composites, 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, tuition reimbursement and other developmental opportunities. We are committed to supporting the way you live and work.
Applied Composites is an Equal Opportunity Employer Veterans/Disabled - Affirmative Action Employer.
This position requires the use of information which is subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). All applicants must be U.S. persons within the meaning of ITAR. ITAR defines a U.S. person as a U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (i.e. 'Green Card Holder'), Political Asylee, or Refugee.
Job 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 efficient Manufacturing Process documentation in at least four of the 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 the Product Indentured Bill-of-Material.
- Select and/or develop manufacturing methods as needed to achieve maximum production efficiency.
- Determine optimum process parameters and document accurate work instructions, identify and implement process improvements, develop and create tool & shop aid designs as necessary.
- Collaborate with production personnel to help maintain smooth flow of production.
- Provide technical oversight to shop personnel during all phases of manufacturing.
- Support customer reviews and technical interchange meetings as needed.
- Support investigations, develop activities and conduct process improvement studies.
- Research alternative solutions to manufacturing problems and processing equipment and make verbal and or written recommendations to appropriate parties and implement solutions.
- Track, report, and analyze defects, driving to determine root cause and implement corrective actions.
- Collaborates in product development with multi-disciplinary project teams.
- May act as program manager for customer programs.
Duties and responsibilities may be added, deleted, modified or changed at any time at the Company’s discretion. Changes may be made formally, informally either verbally or in writing
Page Break
Desired Technical Skills Sets:
- Materials and Process experience with prepreg, core, resin/adhesive systems, bonded & mechanically fastened assy’s, and tooling/fixturing materials and methods.
- Proficiency with SolidWorks, NX, or Creo design software.
- Ability to interpret multi customer drawings, tolerances, CAD models, and specifications to guide and/or create models and drawings for shop aids, molds, and assembly fixtures.
- Capable of performing tolerance stack up analyses to inform tool design requirements.
- Ability to create statement of work for tool procurement.
- Experience working with multi-axis CNC machining equipment. Machining and/or CNC Programming experience using MasterCAM a plus
- Familiarity with structural assembly alignment and positioning methods using laser tracker
- Ability to provide advanced troubleshooting support for manufacturing, process, and quality issues.
- Abillity to lead root cause investigations and corrective action efforts to resolve complex production challenges.
- Proficiency with creating technical presentation materials to support customer audits, qualification activities, and technical reviews as required.
Communication & Collaboration;
- Excellent verbal, written, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Develop executive-level presentations, technical reports, and business cases supporting strategic initiatives.
- Ability to effectively interface with customers, and suppliers, to support multiple programs.
Leadership & Mentorship;
- Provide technical leadership, coaching, and mentoring to fellow team members, Technicians, and Operations personnel.
- Lead knowledge-sharing initiatives and contribute to the development of engineering standards and training programs.
- Support succession planning and development of engineering talent.
- Facilitate technical training related to composite manufacturing processes, equipment, and best practices.
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in: Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related technical discipline preferred.
Experience:
- Requires 8+ years of progressive responsibility in manufacturing engineering or closely related discipline within aerospace composites manufacturing environments
- Working knowledge of materials and processes used for production of aerospace composite parts and assemblies
- Proficiency with SolidWorks, or NX, or Creo design software
- Experience providing technical requirements for design of Tooling and Fixtures
- Experience in creation of 3-D/2-D shop aids and templates
- Experience with aerospace composites lamination, adhesive bonding, and structural assembly processes
- Working knowledge of Laser tracker/CMM inspection methods and data analysis
- Generation of work instructions and production travelers
- Experience with identifying and implementing manufacturing process improvements
- Experience with design/process validation methods, familiarity with control plans, and risk mitigation methods
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office
- Management of multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment
Applied Composites Lake Forest, California, USA Office
25671 Commercentre Dr, Lake Forest, California, United States, 92630 8801
Similar Jobs
Aerospace • Security • Cybersecurity • Industrial
Plans and executes air-vehicle builds, testing, and ground-support operations. Develops manufacturing processes, build sequences, and digital work instructions; evaluates tooling and equipment; resolves production constraints through root cause analysis and corrective actions; and partners with design, production, and suppliers to improve manufacturability, cost, quality, safety, and build time. Provides off-shift and periodic travel support for integration activities.
Top Skills:
3Dx/3DexperienceCatia V5Cnc MachiningDfmaErpIbaset SoluminaPlm
Aerospace • Security • Cybersecurity • Industrial
Develops and improves aerospace manufacturing processes, assembly plans, documentation, and production solutions. Supports design reviews, production-floor troubleshooting, vehicle systems installation and integration, build and test events, and supplier or co-producer activities. Uses PLM, MES, model-based designs, and 3D modeling tools to translate engineering requirements into manufacturable processes. Requires extensive travel, an active Secret clearance, and eligibility for special program access.
Top Skills:
3DxCatiaCreoIbasetMesNxPdmPlmSAPSolidworksTeamcenter
Aerospace • Security • Cybersecurity • Industrial
Develops and improves manufacturing processes, procedures, production layouts, build sequences, and digital work instructions. Resolves manufacturing discrepancies, performs root-cause analysis, and implements corrective actions using Lean Six Sigma. Collaborates with quality, production, planning, and engineering teams to reduce variation, improve efficiency, lower costs, and enhance product quality. Supports composite and structural assembly, machining, installations, model-based engineering, tooling, and manufacturing planning.
Top Skills:
CadCatiaIbase-T (Solumina)Lean Six SigmaMesMrpPlmSAPSfmTeamcenter
What you need to know about the Los Angeles Tech Scene
Los Angeles is a global leader in entertainment, so it’s no surprise that many of the biggest players in streaming, digital media and game development call the city home. But the city boasts plenty of non-entertainment innovation as well, with tech companies spanning verticals like AI, fintech, e-commerce and biotech. With major universities like Caltech, UCLA, USC and the nearby UC Irvine, the city has a steady supply of top-flight tech and engineering talent — not counting the graduates flocking to Los Angeles from across the world to enjoy its beaches, culture and year-round temperate climate.
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
