Lead R&D Manufacturing Engineer

Jobtailor; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor is seeking a highly capable engineer to lead hands-on prototype development and manufacturing process refinement on the shop floor and in the lab.

The role emphasizes design for manufacturing, tooling development, and close collaboration with vendors and production teams in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field.
• Familiarity with CAD software such as NX, CATIA or equivalent.
• Hands-on manufacturing or prototype development experience.
• Experience operating or supporting manufacturing equipment.
• Experience with machining, additive manufacturing, assembly or other manufacturing processes.
• Experience designing and building tooling, fixtures, jigs and production aids.
• Familiarity with composite fabrication processes.
• Adaptable and proactive problem solver.
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment.

Responsibilities

• Fabricate, assemble and evaluate prototype parts, tooling and manufacturing demonstrators.
• Operate and support manufacturing equipment.
• Develop and refine manufacturing processes on the shop floor and in the lab.
• Design, build and modify tooling, fixtures, jigs and assembly aids.
• Troubleshoot manufacturing and assembly issues.
• Document process trials and lessons learned.
• Demonstrate design for manufacturing and production readiness.
• Develop practical manufacturing solutions using available resources.
• Fabricate or support fabrication of tooling.
• Support equipment setup, qualification and process validation activities.
• Evaluate new manufacturing technologies for future implementation.
• Coordinate R&D builds, material ordering, trials and schedules.
• Manage vendors, suppliers and external technology partners.
• Support team initiatives and resource planning.

Skills

Hands-on manufacturing

Experience operating manufacturing

Machining

Additive manufacturing

Composite fabrication

Tooling design

Production aids design

Independent work

Fast-paced environment

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field

Tools

NX

CATIA

Job description

Responsibilities

• Fabricate, assembly and evaluate prototype parts, tooling and manufacturing demonstrators
• Operate and support manufacturing equipment
• Work directly on the shop floor and in the lab to develop and refine manufacturing processes
• Design, build and modify tooling, fixtures, jigs and assembly aids
• Troubleshoot manufacturing and assembly issues
• Perform process trials and document findings and lessons learned
• Demonstrate ability to design for manufacturing and production readiness
• Develop practical manufacturing solutions using available equipment, tooling and materials
• Fabricate or support fabrication of tooling
• Support equipment set up, qualification and process validation activities
• Evaluate new manufacturing technologies for future implementation
• Coordinate R&D builds, material ordering, trials and schedules
• Manage vendors, suppliers and external technology partners
• Support team initiatives and resource planning

Requirements

• Minimum of Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field
• Familiarity with CAD software such as NX, CATIA or equivalent
• Demonstrated interest in hands‑on manufacturing or prototype development
• Experience operating or supporting manufacturing equipment
• Experience with machining, additive manufacturing, assembly or other relevant manufacturing processes
• Experience designing and building tooling, fixtures, jigs and production aids
• Familiarity with composite fabrication processes
• Adaptable and proactive in finding solutions
• Comfortable working independently in a fast‑paced, ambiguous environment