Lead Space Optics Manufacturing Engineer

AeroVironment, Inc.; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 91,000 - 139,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

401K with company matching

9/80 work schedule

Job summary

AeroVironment, Inc. in Albuquerque, NM, is seeking a Space Tech Senior Manufacturing and Process Engineer to develop and sustain manufacturing processes for precision optical and electromechanical space hardware.

You will lead process development, coordinate with design, optical, systems, quality, supply chain, and test teams, and mentor staff while improving quality, yield, and delivery. This role supports readiness from prototype to production and requires collaboration across disciplines.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical field and 3–7 years of relevant manufacturing or process engineering experience.
• Experience developing and sustaining processes for precision optical, optomechanical, or complex electromechanical products.
• Hands‑on experience with delicate component handling, alignment, metrology, and performance testing.
• Strong root‑cause analysis, corrective action, and documentation in a controlled environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop and sustain assembly, integration, alignment, and test processes for space optical systems and FSMs.
• Lead manufacturing readiness from prototype development through design transfer and production transition.
• Review designs for manufacturability, tolerances, and tooling; address GD&T and cost implications.
• Establish handling, cleaning, contamination controls, and quality documentation requirements.
• Mentor engineers and technicians; collaborate across Design, Optical, Systems, Quality, and Supply Chain.

Skills

Mechanical Eng

Manufacturing Eng

Optical Eng

Metrology

Root-cause analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in a technical field

Tools

CAD (SolidWorks)

Metrology equipment

ERP/MRP systems

Automation scripting

Job description

AeroVironment, Inc. in Albuquerque, NM, is seeking a Space Tech Senior Manufacturing and Process Engineer to develop and sustain manufacturing processes for precision optical and electromechanical space hardware.

You will lead process development, coordinate with design, optical, systems, quality, supply chain, and test teams, and mentor staff while improving quality, yield, and delivery. This role supports readiness from prototype to production and requires collaboration across disciplines.