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Lead Manufacturing Engineer, Space Vehicle Integration

Costa Mesa, CA (OC-00)💼 Full-time🗓 2026-09-04 → 2026-09-26

Core

Lead Manufacturing Engineer responsible for owning the manufacturing strategy and execution for complex spacecraft hardware, spanning the entire vehicle integration value chain from design for manufacturability to final close-out.

Role type

Senior IC manufacturing engineer (space vehicle integration)

Builds

Complex spacecraft hardware and vehicle assemblies

Domain

Aerospace / Defense / Space Systems

Deliverable

production ML models | product features | dashboards & analysis | research | client delivery | infrastructure | physical/clinical work -> physical/clinical work (specifically: spacecraft hardware assembly and integration)

Required skills

Vehicle-level build flow ownership, Design for Manufacturability, precision fastening and torque control, bonded and shimmed joints, mechanism and propulsion module installation, harness routing and installation, alignment to metrology-defined datums, weight and balance verification, cleanroom manufacturing discipline, manufacturing execution systems (MES), PLM systems, supplier technical management, team leadership and mentoring

Preferred skills

Satellite/spacecraft integration experience, environmental test campaign support (TVAC, vibration, shock), space workmanship standards (NASA-STD-8739, IPC-620), new facility line setup, manufacturing process framework deployment, scaling production to 100+ units/year

Technologies

Teamcenter, Palantir Foundry, SAP, Manufacturo, Windchill, Laser Tracker, CMM, Photogrammetry

Responsibilities

Define assembly and integration sequence, station content, takt, and work instructions; own post-environmental close-out stations; develop and qualify vehicle integration processes; drive Design for Manufacturability into vehicle-level designs; deploy Manufacturing Development Process (MDP); mature manufacturing readiness artifacts; specify and deploy mechanical ground support equipment and tooling; partner with Supply Chain and Quality on vendor best practices; hire, mentor, and lead integration engineers

Seniority

Senior, hands-on IC with leadership responsibilities

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