Lead Manufacturing Engineer, Aerospace & Defense

Van-Am Tool & Engineering; Waverly (IA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation package

Comprehensive benefits package

Challenging aerospace/defense programs

Collaborative engineering environment

Modern manufacturing equipment

Job summary

Van-Am Defense Systems in Waverly, Iowa is seeking an experienced Manufacturing Engineer to join our engineering team. You will develop and optimize manufacturing processes for high-precision aerospace components, design tooling and fixtures, and create documentation like process plans and BOMs.

The ideal candidate has a BS in Mechanical or Industrial Engineering, 5+ years of manufacturing engineering experience in aerospace/defense, and hands-on CAD (SolidWorks) and ERP (Epicor) skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Industrial Engineering or related field.
• 5+ years manufacturing engineering experience in aerospace/defense or precision manufacturing.
• Experience with CNC machining, fabrication, welding, assembly, and process development.
• Experience designing tooling, fixtures, and workholding.
• Working knowledge of CAD software (SolidWorks preferred).
• Experience with ERP systems (Epicor preferred).
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, project management, and communication skills.
• Experience with AS9100 or ISO 9001 manufacturing environments is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and optimize manufacturing processes for precision machined and fabricated components.
• Design manufacturing methods, tooling, fixtures, and workholding solutions to improve productivity and quality.
• Create and maintain process plans, BOMs, work instructions, and engineering changes.
• Support CNC machining, forming, welding, assembly, and testing operations.
• Partner with Production, Quality, and Engineering to troubleshoot manufacturing challenges and improve throughput.
• Support quoting and estimating by evaluating manufacturing methods and labor requirements.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on quality, efficiency, cost reduction, and waste elimination.
• Ensure manufacturing processes comply with AS9100 quality requirements and customer specifications.

Skills

Analytical skills

Troubleshooting

Project management

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Industrial Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

Epicor

Job description

Van-Am Defense Systems in Waverly, Iowa is seeking an experienced Manufacturing Engineer to join our engineering team. You will develop and optimize manufacturing processes for high-precision aerospace components, design tooling and fixtures, and create documentation like process plans and BOMs.

The ideal candidate has a BS in Mechanical or Industrial Engineering, 5+ years of manufacturing engineering experience in aerospace/defense, and hands-on CAD (SolidWorks) and ERP (Epicor) skills.