Lead Vehicle Assembly Engineer – Launch & Scale

Mach Industries; Huntington Beach (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Mach Industries is seeking a Lead Manufacturing Engineer to own the Vehicle Assembly system and production launch for its autonomous defense vehicles. You will deliver factory designs, stations, tooling, conveyance, and automation to move from late-stage prototypes to full-rate production at Mach's Forge factories.

You’ll lead design for manufacturing and assembly reviews, run virtual builds, and mentor a growing team of engineers.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial and Systems, Aerospace, or Electrical Engineering, or equivalent experience.
• 7+ years of manufacturing engineering experience, including leading complex assembly lines from concept through full-rate production.
• Experience running integrated launch schedules, build-phase readiness reviews, and risk registers from start to finish.
• Hands‑on experience specifying, installing, and commissioning assembly equipment, conveyance, tooling, and fixtures, including vendor FAT and SAT.
• Strong knowledge of line design, line balancing, cycle‑time analysis, capacity planning, OEE, ergonomics, and error‑proofing.
• Proficiency in 3D CAD (Siemens NX, CATIA, or SolidWorks) and AutoCAD factory layouts.
• Proven ability to lead technical projects, mentor engineers, and make sound decisions with incomplete information in a fast‑moving environment.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including presenting risks and recommendations to leadership.

Responsibilities

• Serve as an extreme owner of the production launch, from late-stage prototype builds through full-rate production. Own the integrated launch schedule, the readiness criteria for each build phase, and the go/no-go recommendation for each build.
• Run regular launch-readiness reviews using a shared schedule and risk register that covers every team. Make sure each open item has an owner, due date, and recovery plan.
• Find risks to the ramp early, such as late design changes, part shortages, or equipment delays. Put mitigation or containment in place before they affect production, using options such as interim tooling, manual processes, or changes to build sequence.
• Give leadership clear, data-based updates on launch status. Escalate unresolved risks with their impact, the options, and a recommendation.
• Own the launch outcome. Make sure the line reaches its rate, quality, and cost targets on schedule, and lead the recovery when it falls short.
• Plan and lead prototype builds and manufacturing trials across Mach’s Huntington Beach and Texas mass-production factories. Design and deliver prototype tooling, and apply lessons learned to the production line design.
• Validate processes and equipment through capability studies (Cp/Cpk), gage R&R, error‑proofing checks, and acceptance criteria.
• Release controlled work instructions and quality gates in the MES. Lead the line through ramp to full rate and quality. Provide daily floor support, track first-pass yield, OEE, and cycle time.

Skills

Manufacturing engineering

DFM/A

PFMEA

Control plans

SPC

3D CAD

AutoCAD factory layouts

Lean Six Sigma

Ergonomics

Education

Engineering degree (Mechanical/Manufacturing/Industrial & Systems/Aerospace/Electrical)

Tools

Siemens NX

CATIA

SolidWorks

AutoCAD

Job description

Mach Industries is seeking a Lead Manufacturing Engineer to own the Vehicle Assembly system and production launch for its autonomous defense vehicles. You will deliver factory designs, stations, tooling, conveyance, and automation to move from late-stage prototypes to full-rate production at Mach's Forge factories.

You’ll lead design for manufacturing and assembly reviews, run virtual builds, and mentor a growing team of engineers.