Manufacturing Engineer 1

APPLIED COMPOSITES INC; Brea (CA); On-site; USD 72,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Retirement matching

Tuition reimbursement

Employee assistance plan

Job summary

Applied Composites is hiring a Manufacturing Engineer 1 in Brea, CA to support the development and improvement of manufacturing processes for aerospace/defense composite components.

You will work hands-on with production operations, tooling, documentation, and NPI activities, collaborating across teams to improve efficiency, quality, and process reliability. We seek early-career engineers with solid fundamentals and problem-solving drive.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or related field or equivalent experience.
• 0–2 years of manufacturing engineering experience.
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes and problem-solving methods.

Responsibilities

• Analyze manufacturing processes and implement improvements to reduce bottlenecks, waste, and inefficiencies using Lean principles.
• Provide technical support for composite manufacturing operations and interpret drawings, GD&T, specs, and equipment capabilities.
• Investigate manufacturing and quality issues, identify root causes, and implement corrective actions.
• Support compliance with QMS, customer, and safety requirements.
• Prepare and revise manufacturing documentation for technical review and approval.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Production, Quality, Procurement, and suppliers to support activities.
• Participate in process development, tooling evaluations, and approved process changes.
• Provide hands-on engineering support in production, inspection, and tooling environments.

Skills

Lean manufacturing

Problem solving

Microsoft Excel

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Manufacturing Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

CATIA

AutoCAD

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Manufacturing Engineer 1

Engineering Full Time Entry-Level Pro Brea, CA, US

Manufacturing Engineer 1

Location: Brea, CA
Department: Engineering / Operations
Schedule: Full-Time | On-Site
FLSA Status: Exempt
Pay Range:$72,000–$80,000 annually

Position Summary

Applied Composites is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer 1 to support the development, improvement, and implementation of manufacturing processes for advanced composite components used in the aerospace and defense industries.

This position provides hands‑on engineering experience supporting production operations, manufacturing process improvements, tooling, technical documentation, and new product introduction. The Manufacturing Engineer 1 will work alongside experienced engineers and cross-functional teams to improve manufacturing efficiency, product quality, and process reliability.

We welcome early-career engineers with strong technical fundamentals, problem‑solving abilities, and an interest in developing specialized expertise in aerospace composite manufacturing.

About AC

Come and join the Applied Composites team. We are a leading provider of complex composite components, assemblies, engineering and tooling to the aerospace, defense and space system markets. Our employees are treated with respect and dignity and are provided opportunities to develop and grow their careers.

Key Responsibilities

Analyze manufacturing processes and support improvements to reduce bottlenecks, waste, and production inefficiencies using Lean manufacturing principles.

Provide technical support for composite manufacturing operations, including interpretation of engineering drawings, models, GD&T, specifications, and equipment capabilities.

Assist in investigating manufacturing and production quality issues, identifying potential causes, and implementing approved corrective actions.

Support compliance with Quality Management System (QMS), customer, and safety requirements.

Prepare, review, and revise manufacturing documentation, including work instructions, process specifications, and production media, for appropriate technical review and approval.

Collaborate with Engineering, Production, Quality, Procurement, and suppliers to support manufacturing activities and process improvements.

Participate in manufacturing process development, tooling evaluations, and implementation of approved process changes.

Provide hands‑on engineering support in production, inspection, and tooling environments.

Support new product introduction, engineering builds, and manufacturing readiness activities.

Assist in developing manufacturing methods, operation sequences, process flows, tooling requirements, bills of materials, and manufacturing labor estimates.

Participate in process and material evaluations and implementation of approved manufacturing improvements under the guidance of experienced engineers.

Perform other related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related engineering discipline, or equivalent relevant education and experience.

0–2 years of relevant manufacturing engineering experience.

Working knowledge of manufacturing processes, engineering principles, and systematic problem‑solving techniques.

Ability to interpret engineering drawings, models, GD&T, and manufacturing specifications.

Familiarity with Lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement methods.

Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and related business applications.

Strong written and verbal communication skills and ability to collaborate across functions.

Ability to work within established engineering procedures, seek guidance on complex assignments, and follow technical review and approval processes.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience or academic project exposure in aerospace or composite manufacturing.

Familiarity with composite materials and processes, including carbon fiber, prepreg systems, epoxy, BMI, or polyimide matrices.

Experience with CAD software such as SolidWorks, CATIA, or AutoCAD.

Exposure to composite assembly, adhesive bonding, coatings, or related finishing processes.

Familiarity with CNC routers, tooling, precision inspection equipment, CMM, or Verisurf.

Experience supporting manufacturing process improvements, tooling evaluations, or new product introduction activities.

Benefits: At Applied Composites, we recognize how important your career and benefits are to you and your family. We offer a full suite of benefits including medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability coverage, accident insurance, critical illness insurance, basic and supplemental life insurance, employee assistance plan, retirement savings and matching, tuition reimbursement and other developmental opportunities. We are committed to supporting the way you live and work.

AC is an Equal Opportunity Employer Veterans/Disabled - Affirmitive Action Employer.

This position requires the use of information which is subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). All applicants must be U.S. persons within the meaning of ITAR. ITAR defines a U.S. person as a U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (i.e. 'Green Card Holder'), Political Asylee, or Refugee.