Lead Composite Manufacturing Engineer (Aerospace)

Firefly Aerospace; Briggs (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental and vision plans

Relocation benefits

Educational reimbursement

Short term disability

Flexible PTO

Job summary

Firefly Aerospace in Austin, Texas is seeking a Senior Manufacturing Engineer to join our Structures team. You will develop tooling, fixtures, and production equipment for our carbon fiber aerospace components and drive continuous improvement across production programs.

Responsibilities include leading tooling design, coaching engineers, and collaborating with design, manufacturing, and quality. The role requires a strong background in composite manufacturing and a proactive, results‑driven

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 10 years experience in carbon fiber composite aerospace manufacturing.
• Strong technical aptitude and ability to quickly become an expert on complex hardware.
• Proficiency in CAD software for developing tooling and fixturing designs.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to collaborate effectively with cross‑functional teams.
• Demonstrated track record of driving process improvements and delivering results in a fast‑paced environment.
• High level of initiative, self‑motivation, and ability to thrive in a dynamic and challenging work environment.
• Excellent problem‑solving and analytical abilities.

Responsibilities

• Manage team member tasking and priorities based off schedule IMS needs.
• Act as Integrated Product Lead for Manufacturing team.
• Train and coach team members on complex problem solving.
• Lead the design and development of tooling, fixtures, and production equipment necessary for the manufacturing of aerospace composite components.
• Continuously evaluate and enhance manufacturing processes, tooling, and fixtures to optimize efficiency, quality, and cost‑effectiveness.
• Take ownership of hardware development and production processes, ensuring adherence to schedules and driving continuous improvements.
• Develop and implement innovative solutions for tooling and fixturing to enhance manufacturing efficiency and quality.
• Act as the primary point of contact for all aspects related to part expertise, including understanding intricacies of the hardware and providing guidance on its fabrication.
• Support manufacturing floor operations by actively engaging with production teams to identify areas for improvement and implement necessary changes.
• Create detailed work instructions and procedures to standardize manufacturing processes and ensure consistency in product quality.
• Lead the resolution of nonconformance issues by assessing root causes and implementing corrective actions to bring parts back into compliance.
• Demonstrate exceptional problem‑solving skills and a proactive approach to addressing challenges in a fast‑paced environment.
• Work closely with cross‑functional teams, including design, manufacturing, and quality, to ensure the seamless integration into the production process.
• Manage and oversee manufacturing programs, ensuring they meet quality, cost, and schedule requirements.
• Identify and address production challenges, implementing effective solutions to ensure the timely delivery of high‑quality aerospace components.
• Implement and maintain rigorous quality control measures to meet industry standards and customer expectations.
• Identify cost‑saving opportunities and participate in cost reduction initiatives while maintaining product integrity.
• Champion a culture of continuous improvement, driving Lean and Six Sigma principles throughout the manufacturing process.
• Mentor less experienced engineers

Skills

Carbon fiber composites

CAD proficiency

Problem solving

Cross‑functional teamwork

Manufacturing process improvements

Lean Six Sigma

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

5+ years of aerospace manufacturing experience in composites

Tools

CAD software

FEA

3D printing / additive manufacturing

Job description

Firefly Aerospace in Austin, Texas is seeking a Senior Manufacturing Engineer to join our Structures team. You will develop tooling, fixtures, and production equipment for our carbon fiber aerospace components and drive continuous improvement across production programs.

Responsibilities include leading tooling design, coaching engineers, and collaborating with design, manufacturing, and quality. The role requires a strong background in composite manufacturing and a proactive, results‑driven