Manufacturing Engineer (Composites)

Layup Parts; Huntington Beach (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

Disability insurance

Life insurance

Equity grants

401k

PTO & holidays

Job summary

Layup Parts in Huntington Beach, CA develops manufacturing tooling and processes for aerospace, defense, robotics, and beyond. We seek an engineer who can design molds and fixtures, create ply books from client data, and collaborate with software to test in-house tools.

You will spend time on the shop floor to observe the impact of your designs, advise on tooling splits and debulking, and help scale capabilities while pursuing new manufacturing methods as the company grows.

Qualifications

• Design and deliver tooling for production with thorough documentation.
• Ability to design multi-piece molds and complex tooling independently.
• Experience with prepreg composites and tooling considerations.
• Familiar with scanned data and geometric QC analysis.
• Proficient in CAD and manufacturing drawings.

Responsibilities

• Design tooling: Build molds and fixtures that are accurate, scalable, and production-ready with thorough documentation.
• Bring designs to life: Create ply books and kits from customer data and projector programs.
• Work with customers: Share DFM feedback and cost-down ideas that help us scale together.
• Team up with software: Partner with our software engineering team to test, validate, and refine in-house tools providing clear feedback that drives improvement.
• Get hands-on: Spend time on the production floor to feel the impact of your design decisions firsthand, identify bottlenecks, and create solutions that make technicians’ jobs easier.
• Scale our capabilities: Help budget and plan for new equipment, train the team, and expand capabilities.
• Push innovation: Develop new manufacturing methods as the company grows it capabilities.

Skills

Tooling design

Composite tooling

CAD proficiency

DFM feedback

Hands-on floor

Startup mindset

Tools

NX

SolidWorks

Catia

Job description

At Layup Parts, we're developing the technology that will build the future.

We're a manufacturing technology company replacing months of lead time with days, using proprietary software, automation, and advanced manufacturing systems built for speed. Our customers are inventing what's next, in aerospace, defense, robotics, and beyond. To keep up with them, manufacturing has to change. That's what we're building.

At Layup Parts we're building a crew of outstanding individuals who take pride in their work, learn from one another, and aren't afraid to tackle challenges head-on. We value initiative, teamwork, and a get-it-done attitude.

What You'll Do:

• Design tooling: Build molds and fixtures that are accurate, scalable, and production-ready with thorough documentation.
• Bring designs to life: Create ply books and kits from customer data and projector programs.
• Work with customers: Share DFM feedback and cost-down ideas that help us scale together.
• Team up with software: Partner with our software engineering team to test, validate, and refine in-house tools providing clear feedback that drives improvement.
• Get hands-on: Spend time on the production floor to feel the impact of your design decisions firsthand, identify bottlenecks, and create solutions that make technicians’ jobs easier.
• Scale our capabilities: Help budget and plan for new equipment, train the team, and expand capabilities.
• Push innovation: Develop new manufacturing methods as the company grows it capabilities.

What We're Looking For:

• Be awesome! Be the kind of person you want to work with!
• Engineering Background: Strong fundamentals and a proven track record of designing and delivering in manufacturing environments.
• Self-starter: Able to own and drive projects with minimal guidance. Ability to design multi-piece molds and complex tooling independently.
• Experience in composites: 2+ years working with prepreg composites in a manufacturing environment with deep understanding of tooling splits, ply drops, adhesive films, debulking, intensifiers, caul plates, and core splicing.
• Hands-on quality: Familiar with scanned data and geometric QC analysis.
• Technical fluency: Proficient in professional CAD (NX, SolidWorks, Catia, etc.) and capable of creating professional manufacturing drawings.
• Startup ready: Comfortable working in a fast-moving, resourceful environment where priorities can shift quickly.

Bonus Points:

• Knowledge of machining and 3D printing design considerations.
• Experience with alternate composites processes: VARTM, compression molding, trapped rubber molding, or wet layup.
• Software/coding knowledge (C++, Python, Matlab, VBA, Arduino, etc.)

Layup is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be treated with respect and receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, uniform service, Veteran status, age, or any other protected characteristic per federal, state, or local law, including those with a criminal history, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the CA Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.

ITAR Requirements - To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C.

• 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C
• 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.

Final compensation is based on your experience, skills, and what you bring to the table.

• Full Benefits Package: Medical, dental, and vision coverage, short- and long-term disability insurance, company-paid life insurance
• Equity Option Grants
• 401k plan
• Paid Time Off: Unlimited PTO + 9 Federal Holidays