Manufacturing Engineer

esaero; San Luis Obispo (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health & Wellness

PTO 120 hours

Life Insurance

HSA

401(k) match

Paid Holidays

Casual environment

Job summary

ESAero is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer to drive efficient, high-quality production of our aerospace products on-site in San Luis Obispo, CA. You will collaborate with design, procurement, QA, and assembly to translate designs into manufacturable assemblies and optimize production processes.

The role focuses on developing assembly documentation, establishing work instructions, and improving manufacturing methods while ensuring safety and reliability across the production floor.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in manufacturing or mechanical engineering.
• Hands-on experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Ability to extract manufacturing information from a computerized inventory control system.
• Knowledge of transitioning prototypes into production builds.
• Translate engineered designs into build instructions for assembly/test personnel.
• Able to determine cost-effective and reliable assembly methods in electronics.
• Proficient with Windows-based PCs and standard software.
• Capable of working with minimal supervision.

Responsibilities

• Provide engineering support to manufacturing operations.
• Develop and maintain assembly documentation and work instructions.
• Represent manufacturing interests as part of the Integrated Product Team.
• Partition new products into manufacturable assemblies with minimal variation.
• Apply Design for Manufacture principles in new product designs.
• Qualify new suppliers with procurement and QA teams.
• Build prototype units and ensure documentation reflects the as-built state.
• Define/revise assembly and test routings for work orders.
• Resolve manufacturing problems on the assembly floor.
• Train assembly personnel in tools, equipment, and techniques.
• Improve assembly processes to reduce cost, variation, or improve reliability.
• Identify safety hazards and design safer processes and fixtures.
• Develop assembly aids/fixtures to increase efficiency and quality.

Skills

Hands-on manufacturing experience

Inventory data extraction

Prototype-to-production

Build instructions drafting

Cost-effective assembly (electronics)

Read and interpret specifications

Windows PCs proficiency

Self-supervised work style

Education

Bachelor's degree in manufacturing or mechanical engineering

Tools

MRP/ERP systems

SOWs/RFPs and vendor management

Job description

MANUFACTURING ENGINEER

Job Summary:

The Manufacturing Engineer will provide critical engineering support to ensure efficient, high-quality production of the company’s products. This role partners closely with design, procurement, quality assurance, and assembly teams to translate engineered designs into manufacturable assemblies, optimize production processes, and support new product development. The Manufacturing Engineer will define assembly documentation, establish work instructions, develop and improve manufacturing processes, and help train personnel to ensure consistent quality, safety, and efficiency.

Responsibilities and Duties:

• Primary responsibility is to provide engineering support the company's manufacturing
• Develop and maintain assembly documentation to maintain high quality standards in our products
• As a member of the “Integrated Product Team”, represent manufacturing interests.
• Work with design engineers to partition new products into assemblies which can effectively be built with minimum variation by assembly personnel
• Work with IPT to ensure that “Design for Manufacture” principals and methods are utilized in the design of new products
• Work with procurement and quality assurance to qualify new suppliers
• Work with assembly, test, and engineering personnel to build prototype units and ensure that the documentation accurately reflects the “as built” condition
• Define and revise assembly and test routings for work orders
• Act as engineering interface to resolve manufacturing problems on the assembly floor
• Help train assembly personnel in proper use of tools, equipment, and assembly techniques
• Make improvements throughout the assembly process which will reduce cost, reduce variation, or improve reliability
• Make sure that assembly processes clearly identify any potential safety hazards, and design processes and fixtures which will minimize safety risks
• Help define/develop assembly aids/fixtures to increase efficiency and quality

Required Qualifications and Skills:

• Bachelor's degree in manufacturing or mechanical engineering
• This position requires a minimum of 2-5+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering.
• Hands‑on experience in a manufacturing environment is necessary.
• Ability to extract manufacturing information from a computerized inventory control system
• Knowledge of transitioning prototypes into production builds
• Must be able to work in a small, effective manufacturing team
• Knowledge to translate an engineered design into build instructions which can be used by assembly and test personnel to duplicate the required product performance
• Ability to determine cost effective and reliable means of assembly in an electronics environment
• Take responsibility for establishing and maintaining assembly documentation
• Ability to comprehend specification sheets
• Familiarity with windows based personal computers
• Must be able to work with a minimum of supervision

Desired Qualifications and Skills:

• Additional experience working with new product developments.
• Familiarity with electronics manufacturing.
• Specific experience with sheet metal fabrication, plastics, and printed circuit board manufacture.
• Knowledge of computerized MRP/ERP systems, an understanding of inventory control methods and production control techniques.
• Experience with supplier management and procurement (such as SOWs, RFPs, and/or vendor management)
• Knowledge of Lean Principles

Comprehensive Benefits & Perks:

• Health & Wellness: Choose from three health, dental, and vision plans - including a 100% employer-paid option covering both employees and their families.
• Paid Time Off: Enjoy 120 hours of PTO, 80 hours accrued plus an additional 40 hours of holiday break pay in addition to Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day off.
• Life Insurance: $25,000 employer-paid life insurance policy, with the option to purchase additional coverage for employees and their families.
• Supplemental Coverage: Access optional benefits such as Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity, Accident Insurance, and Critical Illness with Skin Cancer coverage.
• Health Savings Account (HSA): Take advantage of a tax‑advantaged HSA to manage medical expenses.
• Retirement Savings: 401(k) with a company match to support your financial future.
• Paid Holidays: Enjoy 9 paid holidays throughout the year.
• Work Environment: A casual dress code, complimentary snacks, and a welcoming company culture.
• Ideal Location: Work in an area that offers an outstanding quality of life - a perfect place to live, work, and play!

Company Overview

Empirical Systems Aerospace, Inc (ESAero) is a leader in aerospace engineering, product development, and manufacturing, dedicated to delivering high‑quality, innovative, and cost‑effective solutions to the industry. We specialize in cutting‑edge system design, rapid product development, precision manufacturing, comprehensive testing, and technology demonstrations to support the evolving needs of the aerospace community. Committed to excellence, on‑time delivery, and continuous growth, we invest in infrastructure to expand our manufacturing and aftermarket capabilities while maintaining the highest standards of engineering services.

At ESAero, we don’t just build products, we engineer solutions that propel the

aerospace industry forward.

**This position is fully on-site at ESAero in San Luis Obispo, CA**

ESAero is an equal opportunity employer.
E-Verify participation required for employment.
Must present proof of authorization to work in the United States.
Must be able to pass background check and drug test.
Hiring Range: $90k-$120k Salary/Exempt