Manufacturing Engineer

Singularity Defense Corp.; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

A stealth-mode aerospace and defense startup in California seeks a Manufacturing Engineer to own the integrity of production from prototype to full-rate manufacturing. You will develop efficient manufacturing processes and execute quality assurance strategies in a mission-critical environment. Ideal candidates will have a background in engineering with 3-7 years in related fields such as aerospace or defense, and be proficient in CAD design tools like SolidWorks. Join a dynamic team committed to solving complex problems.

Qualifications

• 3-7 years of experience in manufacturing, quality, or reliability engineering.
• Proficient in designing fixtures, tooling, and assembly aids.
• Solid understanding of reliability and quality methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Define processes to ensure reliable hardware builds at scale.
• Develop manufacturing workflows, tooling, and fixtures.
• Implement statistical process control and quality inspections.

Skills

3D CAD design

Root cause analysis

Statistical process control

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

NetSuite

Odoo

Arena

Job description

We are a stealth‑mode Aerospace & Defense startup headquartered in Gardena, CA. Our founding team hails from SpaceX, Anduril, and Lockheed Martin, and we are backed by Joint Staff‑level military leadership and top‑tier Silicon Valley rms. We're assembling a high‑agency team committed to moving fast, solving hard problems, and defending what matters most. With a world‑class business development & leadership team already in place, we are well positioned to capitalize on already overwhelming demand.

Role Overview

As our Manufacturing Engineer, you’ll own the integrity of the production process from prototype to full‑rate manufacturing. You will be the connective tissue between design, manufacturing, and quality—ensuring that our builds are repeatable, efficient, and reliable. You’ll play a critical role in developing robust manufacturing processes, executing quality assurance strategies, and continuously improving product reliability in a mission‑critical environment.

Key Responsibilities

Build Reliability

• Define and implement processes to ensure reliable hardware builds at scale.
• Participate directly in prototype and production builds to validate processes, tooling, and assembly instructions.
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective/preventive actions (RCAs and CAPAs) for production failures or field returns.
• Collaborate with design engineering to incorporate DFM/DFA best practices and ensure design‑for‑reliability.

Manufacturing Engineering

• Develop and optimize manufacturing workflows, tooling, and fixtures.
• Design custom fixtures and assembly aids to improve safety, efficiency, and consistency.
• Create build documentation including work instructions, travelers, and visual aids.
• Work hands‑on with technicians, assemblers, and engineers on the floor to streamline builds and resolve issues in real‑time.
• Partner with contract manufacturers and internal teams to scale production.

Quality Engineering

• Define quality control and inspection plans (IQC, IPQC, OQC).
• Establish in‑line and end‑of‑line test protocols to validate system performance.
• Implement and manage statistical process control (SPC) and process capability metrics.
• Maintain traceability and compliance with applicable quality standards and customer requirements.

Who You Are

• You thrive in ambiguity and enjoy solving hard problems with limited resources.
• You're equally comfortable on the manufacturing floor and in design review meetings.
• You believe quality and speed are not mutually exclusive.
• You take ownership and drive continuous improvement without waiting for permission.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Electrical, or Manufacturing Engineering (or similar technical field).
• 3–7 years of experience in manufacturing, quality, or reliability engineering—preferably in aerospace, defense, or high‑reliability hardware environments.
• Proficient in 3D CAD design using SolidWorks, Creo, or similar tools—experience designing fixtures, tooling, and assembly aids is a strong plus.
• Hands‑on experience with mechanical/electromechanical system builds and test setups.
• Solid understanding of DFM/DFA, root cause analysis, FMEA/PFMEA, SPC, and other reliability and quality methodologies.
• Familiarity with quality standards and systems such as AS9100, ISO 9001, or MIL‑STD compliance.
• Comfortable working across ERP/MRP and PLM systems (e.g., NetSuite, Odoo, Arena).
• Strong communication skills and a bias toward action—able to thrive in a fast‑paced, build‑focused environment.