Manufacturing Engineer I, Primary Structures

About the Team: 

The Stage Manufacturing team turns design into reality, owning the build of Terran R’s primary structures. This isn’t about turning the same bolt every day; it’s about building the systems to build the rocket. Engineers and technicians work side by side, with deep collaboration and real-time feedback, to shape how we build better and faster. With a manifest and a launch date, it’s up to the team to deliver on Terran R: solving challenges in real time, optimizing for scale, and constantly improving processes. As the vehicle evolves, so will the factory, with opportunities to apply automation, machine learning, and advanced technologies. What we build here sets the blueprint for the future of scaled launch.

About the Role:

• Own a major primary structure assembly station for Terran R, as well as all associated flight parts and assembly processes, defining operational strategies and working to build upon existing methods  
• Support the shop floor through live issue resolution and provide upstream feedback as we innovate the next generation of manufacturing technology  
• Generate high quality work instructions, specifications, and best practices across multiple high-fidelity processes. Standardize processes where possible, and partner with production team to reduce takt time and increase throughput rates. Analyze and disposition manufacturing non-conformances and lead multi-disciplinary teams on root cause analysis and corrective actions.  
• Generate build orders and schedules, and come up with creative ways to stay on track  
• Support conceptual and detailed design of major tooling assemblies alongside tooling engineering. Support procurement, commissioning, and initial trial builds, ensuring tooling is delivered on time and with the right capabilities  
• Provide Design for Manufacturing feedback to structures teams during the development phase and through the first prototype and flight builds.   

About You:

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, manufacturing, aerospace, or other relevant engineering discipline with 1+ years of related experience (internship experience counts!)  
• Experience with CAD software such as NX, and basic working knowledge of GD&T  
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to interface with cross-functional teams, including explaining complex topics to non-technical audiences  
• A self-starter who is detailed oriented and organized, able to manage large scope in a fast-paced environment  
• Knowledge of vehicle structures, manufacturing and assembly processes, and mechanical components 
• Ability to reason through complex problems and perform trade studies using first principles and engineering fundamentals to make informed decisions  

Nice to haves but not required:  

• Experience with new process introduction in a manufacturing environment and/or building first article assemblies, especially in a startup environment  
• Experience authoring work instructions to build structural assemblies 
• Demonstrated success with improving takt time in a production process, and/or transitioning products from prototype to mass production  
• Working level knowledge of at least 2 of the following:  
  • Welding (fusion or friction stir welding), machining, precision drilling, mechanical fastening and torquing, tool design and fabrication, NDT, subassembly build, etc.