Lead Solid Rocket Motor Manufacturing Engineer

Brightpath Associates LLC; Torrance (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Brightpath Associates LLC seeks a Lead Manufacturing Engineer - Motors in Torrance, CA. This onsite permanent role leads a team of manufacturing engineers to execute solid rocket motor production, ensuring on-time delivery, safety, and DoD compliance.

The candidate will own the manufacturing value stream, drive process improvements, and implement automation, MES, and advanced inspection to scale production while reducing labor hours and increasing first-pass yield.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Chemical, or Manufacturing Engineering.
• 7+ years hands-on aerospace manufacturing experience.
• Minimum 3 years in formal leadership.
• Proven track record leading solid rocket motor production from development through sustained rate production.
• Deep expertise in propellant formulation, vacuum casting, case-bonded grain design, liner/insulator systems, and non-destructive evaluation of energetic articles.
• Demonstrated success scaling hazardous processes while reducing cost per pound and labor hours per motor.
• Prior work on orbital launch vehicles, strategic systems, missile defense, or hypersonic programs.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of manufacturing engineers in daily execution of solid rocket motor production, including propellant mixing, casting, case bonding, and testing.
• Own the entire solid motor manufacturing value stream and drive process/tools/facilities improvements; implement automation, digital thread/MES, and advanced inspection techniques.
• Serve as primary technical interface to Design Engineering, PM, Quality, EHS, and customer on producibility and non-conformances; lead root-cause analyses and corrective actions.
• Lead manufacturing readiness for new solid motor designs, including PFMEA, control plans, and qualification builds; plan capital projects for mixers, casting facilities, and insulation/liner application.
• Enforce energetic materials safety standards (NFPA 495, DOD 4145.26M); author and maintain safety submissions and procedures; champion safety culture.
• Mentor junior engineers and technicians; conduct performance reviews; build succession plans; foster ownership and technical excellence.
• Demonstrate ability to resolve issues in development independently and communicate blockers clearly to regulators, suppliers, and customers.

Skills

Leadership

Aerospace manufacturing

Problem solving

Mentoring

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Chemical, or Manufacturing Engineering

Job description

Brightpath Associates LLC seeks a Lead Manufacturing Engineer - Motors in Torrance, CA. This onsite permanent role leads a team of manufacturing engineers to execute solid rocket motor production, ensuring on-time delivery, safety, and DoD compliance.

The candidate will own the manufacturing value stream, drive process improvements, and implement automation, MES, and advanced inspection to scale production while reducing labor hours and increasing first-pass yield.