Build Engineer, Capabilities

Front Door Defense; Torrance (CA); On-site; USD 135,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation support

Flexible vacation

Equity

Insurance plans

Job summary

Hadrian is building autonomous factories to reindustrialize America. The Build Engineer, Capabilities will lead end-to-end design and deployment of automated manufacturing cells for new capabilities in Torrance, California.

You will translate design and customer requirements into executable factory processes, lead highly automated work cells, and partner with design, production, controls, software, and robotics to scale manufacturing.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Mechatronics, or related field.
• 5+ years in manufacturing environments, especially automation deployment.
• Ability to translate design intent into robust manufacturing solutions.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and deployment of first-generation manufacturing systems.
• Collaborate with design, production, supply chain, controls, software, and robotics to implement improvements.
• Provide early feedback on manufacturability to design teams.
• Apply Design for Manufacturability principles at product level.
• Drive upgrades and autonomous systems for high-reliability production.

Skills

DFM expertise

Project leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical/Manufacturing/Mechatronics

Tools

Excel

SQL

Job description

Build Engineer, Capabilities

Lead end-to-end design and deployment of automated manufacturing cells for new capabilities

Location: Torrance, California

Compensation: $135,000 - 250,000 USD / year

About The Role

Hadrian - Manufacturing the Future

Hadrian is building autonomous factories to reindustrialize America. By combining AI, advanced software, robotics, and full-stack manufacturing, we help aerospace and defense companies build rockets, satellites, aircraft, ships, and other mission-critical systems up to 10x faster and at significantly lower cost.

Following our $1.37B Series D at a $7.87B valuation, Hadrian is rapidly expanding our manufacturing footprint, launching new capabilities across welding, casting, forging, electronics, additive manufacturing, and more, while scaling our Factory-as-a-Service platform to transform how critical products are built.

Backed by leading investors including JPMorgan Chase, Valor Equity Partners, Andreessen Horowitz, Founders Fund, 137 Ventures, Lux Capital, T. Rowe Price, and Morgan Stanley, we’re building the future of American manufacturing—and looking for exceptional people to help make it happen.

If you’re ready to take on the most challenging and rewarding work of your career while helping create American manufacturing jobs for generations to come, you’re exactly who we’re looking for.

The Role

We are seeking a Manufacturing (Build) Engineer to support both early-stage and customer-driven builds. This role is responsible for translating design and customer requirements into executable factory processes through hands-on build execution and rapid iteration. You will lead the development of highly automated work cells to support new manufacturing capabilities and production facilities. In this position, you will serve as the operational connector across the Special Projects team, building end-to-end systems and processes that are scalable, robust, and aligned with Hadrian’s broader production objectives.

What You’ll Do

• Lead the design and development of first-generation manufacturing systems and automation tools from concept through deployment.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including design, production, supply chain, controls, software, and robotics, to implement strategic and process improvements.
• Communicate proactively with design engineering teams to provide early feedback on manufacturability and support iterative product development cycles.
• Apply DFM (Design for Manufacturability) principles at the product level to ensure ease of production, cost efficiency, and scalability.
• Own and drive upgrades and autonomous system developments that support high-reliability production and rapid iteration.
• Analyze and troubleshoot equipment to optimize uptime, output quality, and process efficiency.
• Identify, define, and deploy automation opportunities using internal capabilities or external partnerships, guided by rigorous ROI and technical evaluations.

What We’re Looking For

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• 5+ years of experience in manufacturing environments, particularly in systems engineering or automation deployment roles.
• Proven ability to collaborate with design engineers on early-stage product development, including translating design intent into robust manufacturing solutions.
• Strong DFM expertise with a track record of influencing design decisions to enhance manufacturability, reduce costs, and accelerate time-to-market.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex projects and drive cross-functional alignment in fast-paced, iterative settings.
• Strong quantitative and analytical skills for data-driven problem solving and process improvement.
• Excellent communication, documentation, and team-building skills, with a hands-on, solution-oriented mindset.

What Will Set You Apart

• Experience transitioning products from prototype to scalable volume manufacturing.
• Background in implementing automation and test systems into production workflows.
• Proficiency in data tools such as Excel and SQL for manufacturing analytics and process control.
• Experience managing or mentoring high-performing engineering teams with diverse technical backgrounds.

Benefits for Full-time Employees

• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans for employees 401k
• Relocation support may be provided for certain situations, based on business need.
• Flexible vacation policy
• Equity

ITAR Requirements

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen or national, lawful permanent resident, protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.

Use of AI in Hiring

Hadrian uses AI-assisted tools in our recruiting and hiring processes to help our team work more efficiently. This may include tools that help organize and analyze recruiting data, as well as an AI-powered notetaker that can record and transcribe interviews and help coordinate feedback. These tools support our team and are not used to make hiring decisions. All candidate evaluations and hiring decisions are performed by humans. If an interview will be recorded, you will be notified in advance and may opt out at any time with no impact on your candidacy. Candidate data processed through these tools is subject to the same protections described in our Privacy Policy.

Consideration of Criminal History

Hadrian will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of all applicable laws. We do not ask about criminal history on our application, and we do not consider criminal history before making a conditional offer of employment.

Hadrian Is An Equal Opportunity Employer

Hadrian does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, marital status, mental status, physical disability or any other legally protected status. When necessary, the Company also makes reasonable accommodations for disabled candidates and employees, including for candidates or employees who are disabled by pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions.