Manufacturing Engineer

Ultra Electronics Group; Columbia City (IN); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) Plan with Company Match

Educational Assistance Program

Wellness Program

Insurance Benefits

Paid Time Off (PTO)

Job summary

Ultra Electronics Group is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer in Columbia City, Indiana. This role is pivotal in ensuring the production of reliable, mission-ready products that contribute to national defense. You will design and develop manufacturing processes to ensure safe and efficient production.

Ideal candidates have at least 3 years of experience in a regulated, high-reliability environment, a relevant Bachelor’s degree, and a commitment to continuous improvement and compliance.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of hands-on manufacturing engineering experience in a regulated environment.
• Strong process documentation skills and attention to detail.
• U.S. Person status with ability to comply with ITAR requirements.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and sustain manufacturing processes.
• Lead manufacturing execution for new product introductions.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives.

Skills

Hands-on manufacturing engineering experience

Process documentation

Root cause analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

ERP/MRP systems

Education

Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing, Mechanical, Industrial Engineering, or related discipline

Tools

CAD for tooling or fixture design

Job description

Protecting What Matters. Powering the Future of Naval Technology. Your work here has global impact. From developing sonar and radar systems to advancing unmanned and undersea platforms, our technologies empower the U.S. Navy and allied forces to operate in some of the world’s most complex environments. As the maritime and underwater battlespace evolves, we continue to push boundaries—driven by innovation, accountability, and a shared commitment to excellence. Join us as we shape the future of naval warfare—safeguarding the seas and strengthening navies worldwide.

Nationality Requirements: Due to the nature of the programs we support, certain roles may require candidates to meet U.S. nationality requirements and be eligible to obtain a security clearance.

Position Summary

Our mission is simple: build reliable, mission‑ready products that protect those who protect us. As a Manufacturing Engineer, you play a direct role in national defense by turning engineering designs into repeatable, high‑quality production realities. This is a floor‑driven, ownership‑heavy role for engineers who execute, solve, and improve.

The Impact You’ll Make

You will own manufacturing processes from concept through full‑rate production, ensuring our products are built safely, efficiently, and right the first time. Your work directly affects production throughput, quality, cost, and delivery in a high‑stakes defense environment.

What You’ll Do

• Design, develop, and sustain manufacturing processes that support safe, repeatable, and compliant production.
• Lead manufacturing execution for new product introductions (NPI), from prototype through production ramp.
• Translate engineering designs into clear, effective work instructions, routings, and bills of material.
• Own process troubleshooting on the production floor—identify root causes, implement corrective actions, and prevent recurrence.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on efficiency, yield, safety, and cost reduction.
• Partner with Operations to establish labor standards, line balancing, and capacity inputs supporting SIOP and production planning.
• Specify, justify, and support tooling, fixtures, equipment, and capital investments.
• Collaborate cross‑functionally with Design Engineering, Quality, and Supply Chain to resolve production constraints.
• Ensure manufacturing processes meet AS9100/ISO requirements, customer specifications, and internal quality standards.
• Support training, audits, and compliance activities in an ITAR‑regulated environment.

What You Bring

• Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing, Mechanical, Industrial Engineering, or a related discipline.
• 3+ years of hands‑on manufacturing engineering experience in a regulated, high‑reliability environment (defense, aerospace, medical, automotive, etc.).
• Proven ability to execute on the production floor—not just from behind a desk.
• Strong process documentation skills and attention to detail.
• Experience driving root cause analysis, corrective action, and process improvement.
• Comfortable working cross‑functionally and holding accountability through execution.
• Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems and data‑driven decision making.
• Ability to work onsite and support production operations.
• U.S. Person status with ability to comply with ITAR requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Defense or aerospace manufacturing experience.
• AS9100 or ISO 9001 familiarity.
• Lean manufacturing, Kaizen, or Six Sigma experience.
• Experience supporting high‑mix, low‑to‑medium volume production.
• Exposure to labor modeling, capacity planning, or industrial engineering methods.
• CAD experience for tooling or fixture design.

Benefits

• Climate controlled, well‑lit and clean work environment.
• Work/life balance that includes up to 140 hours PTO for first year.
• 8 Paid Holidays, with 3 floating holidays.
• 401(k) Plan with Company Match.
• Educational Assistance Program (Tuition Reimbursement).
• Wellness Program and incentives.
• Company HSA contributions.
• Insurance Benefits that start 1st of the month following hire.
• Eligibility in Company Performance‑based bonuses annually.
• Additional Employee Discounts and Perks.
• Company‑Paid Benefits: $75 monthly student loan repayment program.
• Basic Life Insurance.
• Basic Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance.
• Short Term Disability.
• Long Term Disability.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Voluntary Employee‑Paid Benefits: Medical and Prescription insurance, Dental insurance, Vision insurance.
• Supplemental Life Insurance Plans.
• Supplemental AD&D insurance for Employee and Family.
• Accident Plan.
• Critical Illness Plan.
• Hospital Indemnity Plan.
• Pet Insurance.
• Identity Theft protection.

Reasonable Accommodation Statement

If you need an accommodation for any part of the application process, please email [e-mail].

Equal Opportunity Employer

Ultra Maritime is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing a workplace that is fair, respectful, and inclusive, and we make employment decisions based on qualifications, merit, and business needs. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, marital status, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, citizenship status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. As a U.S. defense contractor, Ultra Maritime maintains strict standards related to integrity, compliance, and security. We operate a drug‑free workplace and, where permitted by law, may conduct pre‑employment background checks and substance‑abuse screening based on role requirements.