Manufacturing Engineer (Engineer / Senior / Staff)

Deterrence; Fremont (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 235,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity (stock options)

Benefits package (medical, dental, 401

Job summary

Deterrence Defense, Inc. is seeking Manufacturing Engineers to develop, deploy, and scale production processes and the equipment that runs them. These roles own end-to-end processes from requirements to ramp, solving electromechanical and process problems on the floor.

Multiple levels available with scope and independence scaling by level. The position emphasizes hands-on process optimization, commissioning, validation, and continuous improvement in a high-volume environment, with travel to

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial, Chemical, or related engineering field.
• Engineer: 2+ years • Senior: 5+ years • Staff: 7+ years in manufacturing or process engineering in high-volume or high-precision production.
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot complex electromechanical equipment.
• Experience with equipment commissioning, validation, and acceptance.
• Working knowledge of PLCs, HMIs, and automation debugging.
• Ability to travel to supplier and production sites as required.
• Staff additionally owns the process architecture for a program, leads supplier and design reviews, and mentors engineers.

Responsibilities

• Own development, installation, and ramp of manufacturing processes and automated equipment.
• Develop process flows, cycle-time models, line balancing, and station-level specifications; define performance metrics.
• Lead PFMEA, control plans, and process validation; establish SPC and capability (Cp/Cpk) on critical characteristics.
• Write equipment specifications; work with suppliers and internal design teams through design reviews and acceptance.
• Lead FAT/SAT, commissioning, and equipment acceptance.
• Conduct root-cause analysis across mechanical, electrical, controls, and process domains; close to permanent corrective action.
• Develop work instructions, operating procedures, maintenance plans, and critical spares lists.
• Improve throughput, yield, and reliability through data-driven experimentation and continuous improvement.
• Ensure processes and equipment meet ergonomic, safety, and regulatory requirements.

Skills

Troubleshooting electromechanical

Process optimization

Data-driven improvement

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Manufacturing/Industrial/ Chemical engineering

Tools

PLC

HMI

Automation debugging

Job description

Summary

The Manufacturing Engineer develops, deploys, and scales production processes and the equipment that runs them. This role owns assigned processes end to end — requirements, equipment specification, validation, commissioning, and ramp — and ensures they run safely, reliably, and at rate. The ideal candidate has personally brought a production process from development to stable output and is comfortable solving electromechanical and process problems on the floor. We are hiring multiple engineers across levels; scope and independence scale with level.

Key Responsibilities

• Own development, installation, and ramp of manufacturing processes and automated equipment.
• Develop process flows, cycle-time models, line balancing, and station-level specifications; define performance metrics.
• Lead PFMEA, control plans, and process validation; establish SPC and capability (Cp/Cpk) on critical characteristics.
• Write equipment specifications; work with suppliers and internal design teams through design reviews and acceptance.
• Lead FAT/SAT, commissioning, and equipment acceptance.
• Conduct root-cause analysis across mechanical, electrical, controls, and process domains; close to permanent corrective action.
• Develop work instructions, operating procedures, maintenance plans, and critical spares lists.
• Improve throughput, yield, and reliability through data-driven experimentation and continuous improvement.
• Ensure processes and equipment meet ergonomic, safety, and regulatory requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial, Chemical, or related engineering field.
• Engineer: 2+ years · Senior: 5+ years · Staff: 7+ years in manufacturing or process engineering in high-volume or high-precision production.
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot complex electromechanical equipment.
• Experience with equipment commissioning, validation, and acceptance.
• Working knowledge of PLCs, HMIs, and automation debugging.
• Ability to travel to supplier and production sites as required.
• Staff additionally owns the process architecture for a program, leads supplier and design reviews, and mentors engineers.

Preferred Skills

• DOE, SPC, Gage R&R, OEE tracking, and yield analysis.
• Forging, CNC machining, heat treatment, welding, filling and pressing, or mechanical assembly processes.
• Hazardous-materials or energetics process experience.
• Supplier qualification and vendor management.

Compensation

The base salary range for this position is $140,000 – $235,000. This is a good-faith estimate; actual base pay depends on job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and level. This role is also eligible for equity (employee stock options) and benefits including medical, dental, vision, 401(k), and paid time off. Roles with significant travel may be eligible for an assignment premium.

Export Control

This position may require access to information controlled under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) or Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Applicants must be a U.S. person as defined in 22 CFR 120.62 (U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or protected individual) or be eligible to obtain any required authorization.

Equal Opportunity

Deterrence Defense, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities; if you need an accommodation at any point in the process, contact [e-mail].