Composites Manufacturing Engineer II

Karman Space & Defense; Huntington Beach (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Coverage

Dental Coverage

Vision Coverage

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

HSA with company contribution

FSA

Life and AD&D insurance

Disability coverage

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Karman Space & Defense in Huntington Beach, CA is seeking a Composites Manufacturing Engineer II who will develop and improve manufacturing processes for complex aerospace products. You will create manufacturing documentation, design tooling, and drive hands-on project execution to support production readiness and quality.

Collaborating with engineering, operations, and program management, you will apply GD&T, blueprint reading, and MRB processes to ensure manufacturability.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2+ years of experience in Manufacturing Engineering or composite design.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering specifications, including drawings and material or processing specifications.
• Proficiency in GD&T and blueprint reading.
• Demonstrated understanding of identifying root cause and Non‑Conformance issues.
• Demonstrated experience working with tooling used for composite processing or mechanical assembly.
• Experience supporting design-for-manufacturing and assembly activities.
• A current U.S. DoD Secret security clearance or the ability to obtain and maintain one.

Responsibilities

• Develops manufacturing processes for composite aerospace products to meet customer requirements.
• Creates fabrication, process, and control documentation to support composite production.
• Designs and drafts tooling required to meet program production rates and quality standards.
• Coordinates day‑to‑day project activities to ensure technical objectives and customer needs are met.
• Serves as a technical interface with customers, providing program updates and participating in reviews and problem‑solving discussions.
• Performs root cause analysis and develops corrective actions for product or process issues.
• Reviews build documentation and tooling designs to ensure accuracy and manufacturability.
• Supports development of pricing and lead‑time estimates for customer requests for quotes and information.
• Analyzes and improves existing manufacturing processes to enhance efficiency and resolve production challenges.
• Collaborates with multi‑disciplinary teams to ensure effective integration of composite manufacturing methods.

Skills

Manufacturing Eng

GD&T

Blueprint Reading

Root Cause Analysis

Tooling for Composites

Design-for-Manufacturing

DoD Clearance

MS Office

Tools

Autoclave

Press Molding

Job description

Karman Space & Defense is a leader in the rapid design, development, and production of critical, next-generation system solutions that align with the U.S. Department of War and its allies’ core mission priorities, and meet the accelerating demand for access to space. Building on nearly 50 years of success, we deliver Payload & Protection Systems, Aero/Hydrodynamic Interstage Systems, and Propulsion & Launch Systems to more than 80 prime contractors supporting over 130 space and defense programs.

This role is part of our Hypersonics and Strategic Missile Defense business, which designs, develops, and delivers highly dependable missile systems for hypersonic and strategic missile defense missions. We provide integrated, mission-ready hardware that brings together multiple technologies into unified systems engineered to perform in demanding operational environments. Our tip-to-tail capabilities include payload protection and deployment systems, propulsion systems, aerodynamic interstage systems, separation systems, missile subsystems, shroud systems, launch systems, and payload integration solutions.

As a Composites Manufacturing EngineerII, you will play a key role in developing and improving manufacturing processes for complex composite aerospace products. You will collaborate closely with engineering, operations, and program management to create manufacturing documentation, design tooling, and drive hands‑on project execution. Your work will directly support production readiness, quality, and the successful integration of composite materials into customer programs.

Responsibilities

• Develops manufacturing processes for composite aerospace products to meet customer requirements.
• Creates fabrication, process, and control documentation to support composite production.
• Designs and drafts tooling required to meet program production rates and quality standards.
• Coordinates day‑to‑day project activities to ensure technical objectives and customer needs are met.
• Serves as a technical interface with customers, providing program updates and participating in reviews and problem‑solving discussions.
• Performs root cause analysis and develops corrective actions for product or process issues.
• Reviews build documentation and tooling designs to ensure accuracy and manufacturability.
• Supports development of pricing and lead‑time estimates for customer requests for quotes and information.
• Analyzes and improves existing manufacturing processes to enhance efficiency and resolve production challenges.
• Collaborates with multi‑disciplinary teams to ensure effective integration of composite manufacturing methods.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 2+ years of experience in Manufacturing Engineering or composite design.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering specifications, including drawings and material or processing specifications.
• Proficiency in geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) and blueprint reading.
• Demonstrated understanding of identifying root cause and Non‑Conformance issues
• Demonstrated experience working with tooling used for composite processing or mechanical assembly.
• Experience supporting design‑for‑manufacturing and assembly activities.
• A current U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Secret security clearance or the ability to obtain and maintain one.

Preferred Qualifications

• Expertise in modeling and drafting
• Experience with aerospace composite manufacturing methodologies such as autoclave or press molding
• Knowledge of mid‑size corporate processes and systems.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities across multiple projects.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).
• Experience providing direct customer support.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with attention to detail.

Special Mentions

• Minimal travel may be required for this position.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off
• Health Savings Account (HSA) with company contribution
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Company‑paid life and AD&D insurance
• Short‑and‑long‑term disability coverage
• Tuition reimbursement

Salary Range

$85,000 - $105,000 USD

Karman Space and Defense is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

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