Manufacturing Engineer

Quantum Space; Tulsa (OK); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Quantum Space seeks a Manufacturing Engineer for the Ranger spacecraft program at our Tulsa center. You will translate designs into repeatable production processes, develop tooling, and lead improvements on the manufacturing floor.

You will collaborate with design and quality teams to implement DFx, first-article builds, and transfer to rate production, driving efficiency and reliability in a fast-paced, mission-critical environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline.
• 2+ years of experience in manufacturing, process, or production engineering.
• Experience with tooling and fixture design in NX, SolidWorks, or Creo.
• Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, and structured problem solving.
• Familiarity with AS9100 quality systems and mission assurance for flight hardware.
• Comfortable on the factory floor working with technicians.

Responsibilities

• Develop and release manufacturing processes, work instructions, routings, and bills of process for spacecraft structures, propulsion assemblies, harnesses, and integration.
• Design and procure tooling, fixtures, and ground support equipment for production.
• Partner with design engineering on design for manufacturability, assembly, and testability; drive drawing and tolerance changes with data.
• Lead new product introduction for your area, including first‑article builds, process qualification, and transition to rate.
• Plan production line layout, workstation design, and material flow for your area.
• Own first-pass yield, cycle time, and cost in your area; identify and execute improvements using Lean and Six Sigma tools.
• Lead root cause and corrective action on nonconformances and production issues.
• Support technician training and certification on new processes.
• Ensure processes comply with safety, quality, and mission assurance requirements.

Skills

Lean manufacturing

Six Sigma

Root cause analysis

GD&T

DFM / design for manufacturability

Education

Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline

Tools

NX

SolidWorks

Creo

Job description

Quantum Space is redefining mobility and maneuverability in space. Our high-mobility spacecraft platforms support national security, civil, and commercial missions with unmatched flexibility and propulsion capability. We build fast and iterate quickly.

Who We’re Looking For

We are seeking a motivated and technically driven Manufacturing Engineer to support the development, implementation, and optimization of manufacturing processes for our Ranger spacecraft program at our Tulsa manufacturing center. In this role, you will design and develop production processes, tooling, fixtures, and work instructions supporting spacecraft component fabrication, subassembly, and final integration.

You will play a critical role in bridging the gap between design engineering and manufacturing operations, translating engineering designs into safe, efficient, and repeatable production processes. Working closely with design engineers, manufacturing technicians, quality, and production teams, you will support new product introduction, first-article builds, production line development, and continuous improvement initiatives as Ranger transitions into rate production.

This position is ideal for an engineer who enjoys hands‑on problem-solving, working directly with technicians on the manufacturing floor, and taking ownership of manufacturing processes in a fast‑paced environment where innovation, efficiency, and mission success are essential.

Where You’ll Make an Impact

• Develop and release manufacturing processes, work instructions, routings, and bills of process for spacecraft structures, propulsion assemblies, harnesses, and integration
• Design and procure tooling, fixtures, and ground support equipment required for production
• Partner with design engineering on design for manufacturability, assembly, and testability; drive drawing and tolerance changes with data
• Lead new product introduction for your area, including first‑article builds, process qualification, and transition to rate
• Plan production line layout, workstation design, and material flow for your area
• Own first-pass yield, cycle time, and cost in your area; identify and execute improvements using Lean and Six Sigma tools
• Lead root cause and corrective action on nonconformances and production issues
• Support technician training and certification on new processes
• Ensure processes comply with safety, quality, and mission assurance requirements

What It Takes

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline
• 2+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering, process engineering, or production engineering in a manufacturing environment

Nice-to-Have Experience

• Experience in aerospace, spacecraft, launch vehicle, automotive, or other high‑reliability manufacturing
• Experience standing up a new production line, facility, or cell
• Experience writing work instructions and routings in an MES or ERP system
• Experience with tooling and fixture design in NX, SolidWorks, or Creo
• Experience with GD&T, tolerance analysis, and design for manufacturability
• Experience in one or more of: composite and metallic structures, precision machining, welding and tank fabrication, fluid systems, harness and avionics assembly, or spacecraft integration
• Experience with Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, and structured problem solving
• Familiarity with AS9100 quality systems and mission assurance practices for flight hardware
• Comfortable on the factory floor working directly with technicians

What You’ll Get

• Ownership – Take responsibility for developing and improving manufacturing processes, tooling, and production workflows for mission‑critical spacecraft hardware, supporting production readiness from initial fabrication through final integration
• Innovation – Contribute to advanced spacecraft manufacturing technologies, production methods, and process improvements that enable efficient, scalable manufacturing of next‑generation spacecraft
• Impact – Play a direct role in delivering reliable, high‑quality spacecraft hardware supporting national security, civil, and commercial missions
• Growth – Join a collaborative, fast‑paced engineering and manufacturing team where you can expand your technical expertise, take ownership of meaningful projects, and help establish and scale our Tulsa manufacturing operations
• Compensation – Competitive salary, equity, and comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, generous leave, HSA, 401(k) matching, and equity participation.

Location: Tulsa, OK

The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full time offers; and are considered part of Quantum Space's total compensation package.

Additional Requirements

To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including ITAR, applicants must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual per 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey.Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiringprocess or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in aconfidential file.

As set forth in Quantum Space’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection.As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measurethe effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categoriesis as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service‑connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three‑year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.