Lead Manufacturing Engineer

Divergent; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 141,000 - 195,000; Full time

Job summary

Divergent is seeking a Lead Manufacturing Engineer to optimize designs for manufacturability and enhance processes. This role involves ownership of manufacturing processes, compliance with quality standards, and leadership in a dynamic environment. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in manufacturing engineering, particularly in aerospace or defense, and will drive innovations in production techniques.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Equity plan

Paid vacation and sick time

Comprehensive health benefits

Professional development reimbursement

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering role.
• Proficiency in CAD software and understanding of GD&T.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and optimization of manufacturing processes.
• Mentor manufacturing staff and lead cross-functional teams.

Skills

Leadership

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Master’s degree in a relevant engineering discipline

Tools

CAD software

Manufacturing Execution Systems

Product Lifecycle Management

Enterprise Resource Planning

Job description

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Divergent is a technology company that has architected, invented, built, and commercialized an end-to-end factory system called the Divergent Adaptive Production System (DAPS) that comprehensively uses machine learning to optimally engineer, additively manufacture, and flexibly assemble complex integrated vehicle structures and subsystems. Products created using DAPS are superior in performance, lower in cost, rapidly customizable to meet mission and customer-specific requirements, faster to market, and scalable on demand to high volume production. Divergent is a qualified Tier 1 supplier to global automotive OEMs, and Divergent is now expanding to support mission critical needs in the Aerospace and Defense sector. Join us to be a part of this transformative journey, where your impact will shape the future of technology and production.

Purpose

The Lead Manufacturing Engineer bridges design and production, optimizing designs for manufacturability while enhancing processes to support high-reliability hardware. This role guides new concepts through prototype, enables rapid iteration, troubleshoots complex manufacturing issues, and matures designs into production to uphold Divergent's standards for quality and reliability.

The Role

Program/Product Ownership

• End-to-end manufacturing ownership of multiple development and production products
• Technical lead for all manufacturing processes

Manufacturing Process Development and Optimization:

• Lead the development, implementation, and refinement of scalable manufacturing processes aligned with Divergent's technology development.
• Drive improvements in yield, cycle times, and first-pass quality through data-driven continuous improvement initiatives.
• Identify and implement automation opportunities to streamline workflows, enhance data collection, and improve process repeatability.
• Own and drive factory development strategic initiatives.
• Stay current on emerging manufacturing technologies, integrating innovative solutions to advance Divergent's competitive position.

New Product Introduction and Rapid Iteration:

• Lead new concepts and product designs through the factory, ensuring efficient troubleshooting and rapid iteration to meet aggressive timelines.
• Implement Design for Manufacturability (DFM) strategies early in the design process, collaborating cross-functionally to optimize manufacturing outcomes.
• Introduce new equipment, tooling, and processes, conducting rigorous testing and validation to support high-reliability manufacturing.

Compliance and Quality Assurance:

• Develop and maintain comprehensive manufacturing documentation, including work instructions and process plans, ensuring compliance with quality standards like AS9100.
• Ensure all manufacturing processes adhere to industry regulations and internal quality management systems.
• Lead efforts to resolve hardware nonconformance issues promptly, implementing corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
• Identify organization-level risks to develop and implement mitigation strategies.
• Act as a technical lead in troubleshooting and resolving manufacturing issues, supporting production and quality teams.

Leadership and Team Development:

• Mentor and provide technical training to manufacturing staff, fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and continuous learning.
• Lead cross-functional product/program teams.
• Support the Director of Manufacturing Engineering in developing and implementing strategies for team growth and alignment with best practices and industry standards.

Basic Qualifications

• Ability to lawfully access information and technology that is subject to US export controls
• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or related field.
• 8+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering role, with significant exposure to aerospace or defense industries.
• Proficiency in CAD software (e.g., Siemens NX, AutoCAD) and strong understanding of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T).
• Experience with Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), Product Lifecycle Management (PLM), and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems.
• Hands-on experience with advanced manufacturing techniques, including additive manufacturing, robotics, and automation.
• Proven track record of leading complex projects from concept through production, focusing on high-performance materials and high-reliability applications.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a relevant engineering discipline.
• Lean Six Sigma certification or equivalent expertise in continuous improvement methodologies.
• Familiarity with quality management systems like AS9100 or ISO 9001.
• Demonstrated ability to thrive in a high-tech, fast-paced startup environment with a passion for disrupting traditional manufacturing paradigms.

Pay Range: $141,400 USD - $194,400 USD

What We Offer:

• Holistic Compensation Package: Enjoy a world-class compensation package that includes a competitive salary, equity plan, and discretionary results-based incentive bonus opportunities, ensuring you're truly valued for your contributions.
• Wellness and Time Off: Embrace a healthy lifestyle with paid vacation, sick time, and company holidays, including a year-end shutdown to recharge. We support growing families with paid parental leave, recognizing the importance of bonding time.
• Comprehensive Health and Wellness: Prioritize your well-being with our comprehensive health and wellness benefits, offering both HMO and Premium PPO options. Additionally, benefit from company-sponsored life insurance and short and long-term disability coverage for peace of mind.
• Investment in Growth: We're committed to your professional development. Take advantage of reimbursement opportunities for learning and development initiatives, empowering you to continuously expand your skill set and reach peak performance.
• Collaborative and High-Performing Environment: Join our collaborative, dynamic, and high-performing team within a fast-paced, mission-driven company. Together, we're disrupting the traditional manufacturing industry, fostering innovation, and integrating people and technology to reduce our footprint.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Divergent is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any other applicable state or federal protected characteristic. Divergent provides affirmative action in employment for qualified Individuals with Disabilities and Protected Veterans in compliance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act.

EEO Poster

In order to adjust to changes in our business, it may become necessary to add, remove or modify certain duties and responsibilities, or to reassign you to another job position. From time to time you may be asked to work on special projects or to assist with other work. Your cooperation and assistance in performing such additional work is expected.

E-Verify: Right to Work

Our company participates in E-Verify. E-Verify is a program that electronically confirms a candidate’s eligibility to work in the United States after completing the Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-9). The information provided on the Form I-9 is compared to the records contained in the Social Security Administration and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) databases. This helps employers verify the identity and employment eligibility of newly hired employees.