Advanced Manufacturing Engineer – NPI & Tooling (Aerospace)

ANSWER CONSULTING Ltda.; Burbank (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

ANSWER CONSULTING Ltda. in Burbank, CA, seeks a Manufacturing Manager to industrialize designs into repeatable, high-yield production. You will convert drawings into robust build processes and champion APQP, VWI, and tooling layouts to ensure first-time quality.

In this hands-on role you’ll lead process validation, manage cross-functional teams, and drive cost targets while reducing waste. Expect a fast-paced aerospace environment with strict ITAR/EAR compliance and close supplier collaboration.

Qualifications

• BS in Mechanical Engineering with 3+ years aerospace experience, or MS with 2+ years aerospace experience.
• Strong GD&T knowledge and sheet metal/welding experience preferred.
• Experience in fast-paced manufacturing and ITAR/EAR compliance desirable.

Responsibilities

• Industrialize designs into repeatable, cost-effective build processes.
• Lead APQP, Visual Work Instructions (VWI) and tooling/layout initiatives.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams to meet quality and cost targets.

Skills

Mechanical Design

Aerospace

GD&T

Problem Solving

Cross-functional Leadership

Education

Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering

Master's in Mechanical Engineering (preferred)

Tools

MRP/ERP

Sheet Metal Processes

Job description

Your mission: industrialize great designs into repeatable, high-yield productionJoin operations as a hands-on manufacturing authority who converts drawings and specifications into robust, cost-effective build processes. You will champion APQP discipline, create Visual Work Instructions (VWI), and architect equipment/tooling and cellular layouts that deliver quality the first timeand every time.Impact areasProject technical focal point ensuring compliance with procurement specifications and total validation of manufacturing processes against customer and internal standards.Production documentation: APQP-compliant plans, VWI, and planning document reviews/releases.Manufacturing systems: equipment selection, tooling strategies, cellular manufacturing concepts, and novel manufacturing/tooling ideas.Operational excellence: meet cost targets, remove waste, apply operation time standards, and build Work Combination Sheets (WCS).Quality & support: lead/partner within a Production Support Team; execute Root Cause and Preventive Actions for nonconforming product.NPI execution: assist first-article/initial cycles for detail parts, sub-assemblies, and assemblies; follow up on process effectiveness.Tooling & drawings: coordinate tooling design for manufacturing/assembly; review production drawings and recommend sound product/tooling/process solutions.Supplier collaboration: help develop supplier processes and remediate supplier issues.Business readiness: provide estimating/quoting data; issue improvement reports; document and implement all engineering changes.Core process expertisePerform, document, and validate machining, forming, stamping, heat treating, and chemical processing on these materials:TitaniumInconelAluminumStainless SteelO1 and D2 tooling steelsRole cadence and growthThe Manufacturing Manager will assign specific responsibilities aligned to your strengths and will review them at least annually (preferably during performance reviews or when organizational changes occur) to support your development.QualificationsBS in Mechanical Engineering (or related) with 3+ years of engineering experience in aerospace preferred; or MS in Mechanical (or related) with 2+ years in aerospace.Experience in fast-paced manufacturing preferred.Knowledge of sheet metal processes (welding, forming, NDT, etc.), geometric tolerances (GD&T), and aerospace materials preferred.CompetenciesLanguage: Exceptional English communicationread, write, present; comfortable presenting to large audiences.Reasoning: Strong practical problem-solving with ability to follow detailed written/oral instructions and handle multiple concrete variables.Math: Proficient with averages, summations, standard deviations, statistical trends, proportions, and percentages.Other: Excellent problem-solver; effective independently and in teams. Preferred knowledge of aircraft ECS ducting; sheet metal and aerospace materials; forming/welding/machining/heat treating; basic NDT and geometric tolerance. Understanding of MRP/ERP requirements and order generation logic.Collaboration landscapePotential liaison between Senior Aerospace SSP manufacturing and customer cognizant engineering.Cross-functional work with multi-disciplinary cost-reduction teams and Production Support Teams.EAR/ITAR Compliance:Access to our facility (and, therefore, employment) is restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and/ or Export Administration Regulations (EAR) to U.S. Citizens, lawful permanent residents, U.S. refugees, asylees or temporary residents under amnesty provisions [as defined in 8 USC 1324b(a)(3)] and properly licensed foreign persons. Applicants receiving a conditional offer of employment will be required to provide information to determine whether they are subject to these regulations and, if so, to assess their country of chargeability for export control purposes. Additionally, potential employees names will be screened against the Consolidated Screening List (maintained by the United States government) to determine eligibility to receive technical data.Start your application