Manufacturing Engineer

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory; Laurel (MD); On-site; USD 85,000 - 195,000; Full time

Job summary

Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) in Laurel, MD, is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer to lead complex fabrication projects from concept through production. You will collaborate with engineers, machinists, and program teams to apply DFMA, GD&T, and advanced manufacturing processes to meet performance, cost, and schedule goals.

The role requires a BS in Mechanical, Aerospace, or Manufacturing Engineering and 3+ years of hands-on fabrication experience; travel and ability to

Qualifications

• 3+ years of manufacturing engineering experience across multiple fabrication processes.
• Deep expertise in one or more of: CNC machining, turning, EDM, sheet metal, welding, additive manufacturing, composites, or tooling/mold design.
• Experience developing prototype hardware and transitioning designs to manufacturing.
• Experience with CAD tools such as CREO or SolidWorks.
• Ability to interpret drawings and apply GD&T (ASME Y14.5).
• Strong planning, communication, and collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Serve as SME for mechanical fabrication technologies across programs.
• Apply DFMA principles to improve manufacturability, cost, and schedule.
• Translate design intent from drawings to manufacturing solutions.
• Develop manufacturing plans, processes, and production strategies for prototype hardware.
• Coordinate with engineers, machinists, inspectors, and suppliers to resolve issues.
• Develop manufacturing estimates, schedules, and resource plans.
• Lead or support R&D initiatives to adopt advanced manufacturing tech.
• Stay current with manufacturing standards and best practices.

Skills

DFMA

CAD (CREO/SolidWorks)

GD&T (ASME Y14.5)

CNC Machining (3/5-axis)

Sheet Metal

Welding

Additive Manufacturing

Composites

Tooling/Mold Design

Education

B.S. in Mechanical, Aerospace, or Manufacturing Engineering

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

PLM systems

CREO

SolidWorks

Job description

Description

Are you interested in working in a state-of-the-art manufacturing center that helps develop hardware for space, land, sea, and air applications? Are you motivated to help provide mechanical manufacturing solutions that address our nation's most pressing challenges?

If so, we’re looking for someone like you to join our team at APL!

We are seeking a Manufacturing Engineer to help us ensure the successful delivery of large, critical, and complex manufacturing projects through technical expertise in manufacturing. The ME will work with staff at all levels to implement design for manufacturing principles, manage operations, improve quality, and drive continuous improvement.

As a Manufacturing Engineer, you will collaborate with engineers, designers, machinists, and program teams to solve some of the nation's most challenging technical problems. You will provide manufacturing leadership from concept through fabrication, influencing design decisions and manufacturing process to improve quality and performance, reduce cost and schedule risk, and ensure the successful fabrication of complex mechanical hardware.

As a Manufacturing Engineer you will...

• Serve as the subject matter expert (SME) for many mechanical fabrication technologies (e.g., machining, additive manufacturing, welding, sheet metal, composites, etc.), supporting space, land, sea, and air programs.
• Partner with engineering teams to apply Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFMA) principles that improve manufacturability, quality, cost, and schedule.
• Interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and GD&T (ASME Y14.5) to translate design intent into effective manufacturing solutions.
• Develop manufacturing plans, process flows, work instructions, and production strategies for prototype hardware
• Leverage ERP/MRP systems to support production planning, routing, material management, and manufacturing execution.
• Coordinate with engineers, machinists, technicians, inspectors, and suppliers to resolve technical issues and ensure successful project execution.
• Develop manufacturing estimates, schedules, and resource plans for complex fabrication efforts.
• Lead or support R&D initiatives to evaluate and implement advanced manufacturing technologies and processes.
• Stay current with emerging manufacturing technologies, industry standards, and best practices.
• Help strengthen APL's manufacturing ecosystem through technical leadership and continuous process improvement.

Qualifications

• Possess a B.S. in Mechanical, Aerospace, or Manufacturing Engineering.
• Have 3+ years of manufacturing engineering experience across multiple fabrication processes, with broad knowledge of mechanical fabrication and deep expertise in one or more of the following: 3- and 5-axis CNC machining, turning, EDM, sheet metal fabrication, welding, additive manufacturing, composites, or tooling/mold design.
• Experience developing prototype hardware and transitioning designs into manufacturing.
• Experience with CAD tools such as CREO or SolidWorks.
• Can interpret engineering drawings and apply GD&T (ASME Y14.5) to support manufacturing and inspection activities.
• Demonstrate strong planning, communication, and collaboration skills while working with multidisciplinary engineering and manufacturing teams.
• Are willing and able to work in a laboratory environment and travel as needed to support testing, sponsor engagements, conferences, and technical presentations.
• Are able to obtain a Secret level security clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.

You’ll go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you...

• Have experience performing mechanical stress analyses and evaluating structural failure modes.
• Have experience with PLM and ERP/MRP systems to support engineering change management, production planning, and manufacturing execution.
• Have experience planning, developing, or optimizing manufacturing facilities, production layouts, or new manufacturing capabilities.
• Have led manufacturing process improvements or implemented new manufacturing technologies that improved quality, cost, schedule, or throughput.
• Have supported hardware through the full product lifecycle, from concept and prototype through production, assembly, and test.

About Us

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) brings world-class expertise to our nation’s most critical defense, security, space and science challenges. While we are dedicated to solving complex challenges and pioneering new technologies, what makes us truly outstanding is our culture. We offer a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where you can bring your authentic self to work, continue to grow, and build strong connections with inspiring teammates.

At APL, we celebrate our differences of perspectives and encourage creativity and bold, new ideas. Our employees enjoy generous benefits, including a robust education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance. APL’s campus is located in the Baltimore‑Washington metro area. Learn more about our career opportunities at https://www.jhuapl.edu/careers.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, occupation, marital or familial status, political opinion, personal appearance, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. APL is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contact [e-mail].

The referenced pay range is based on JHU APL’s good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level with consideration for internal parity. For salaried employees scheduled to work less than 40 hours per week, annual salary will be prorated based on the number of hours worked. APL may offer bonuses or other forms of compensation per internal policy and/or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be provided in the form of a sign‑on bonus, relocation benefits, locality allowance or discretionary payments for exceptional performance. APL provides eligible staff with a comprehensive benefits package including retirement plans, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short‑term disability, long‑term disability, flexible spending accounts, education assistance, and training and development. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Minimum Rate

$85,000 Annually

Maximum Rate

$195,000 Annually