Manufacturing Engineer - IA

Van Am Tool, LLC.; Waverly (IA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Comprehensive benefits package

Career growth opportunities

Challenging aerospace/defense programs

Collaborative engineering environment

Modern manufacturing equipment

Job summary

Van-Am Defense Systems in Waverly, Iowa, seeks a Manufacturing Engineer to develop and optimize processes for precision components used in aerospace and defense. You will design tooling, fixtures, and workholding, create process documentation, and support CNC machining, welding, and assembly.

The role requires a bachelor’s degree in mechanical or related engineering and 5+ years of manufacturing engineering experience in aerospace/defense or similar settings.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field (or equivalent manufacturing engineering experience).
• 5+ years of manufacturing engineering experience in aerospace, defense, or precision manufacturing environments preferred.
• Experience supporting CNC machining, fabrication, welding, assembly, and process development.
• Experience designing tooling, fixtures, and workholding.
• Working knowledge of CAD software (SolidWorks preferred).
• Experience with ERP systems (Epicor preferred).
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, project management, and communication skills.
• Experience with AS9100 or ISO 9001 environments is highly desirable.
• Working knowledge of ITAR requirements is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and optimize manufacturing processes for precision machined and fabricated components.
• Design methods, tooling, fixtures, and workholding to improve productivity and quality.
• Create and maintain process documentation including BOMs, work instructions, and engineering changes.
• Support CNC machining, forming, welding, assembly, and testing operations.
• Collaborate with Production, Quality, and Engineering to troubleshoot and improve throughput.
• Assist with quoting and estimating by evaluating methods and labor requirements.
• Drive continuous improvement focusing on quality, efficiency, cost reduction, and waste elimination.
• Ensure processes comply with AS9100 quality requirements and customer specifications.

Skills

Manufacturing engineering

CNC machining

Tooling design

Project management

CAD & analysis

Quality systems

ITAR knowledge

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Equivalent manufacturing engineering experience

Tools

SolidWorks

Epicor ERP

Job description

Van-Am Defense Systems is seeking an experienced Manufacturing Engineer to join our engineering team in Waverly, Iowa. This is an opportunity to make a direct impact on the manufacturing of high-precision components and assemblies supporting the aerospace and defense industries.

We are looking for an engineer who enjoys solving complex manufacturing challenges, improving production processes, designing tooling and fixtures, and collaborating with production, quality, and engineering teams to deliver world‑class products. If you thrive in a fast‑paced manufacturing environment and enjoy turning engineering concepts into efficient, repeatable production processes, we would like to hear from you.

What You Will Do

As a Manufacturing Engineer, you will:

• Develop, implement, and optimize manufacturing processes for precision machined and fabricated components.
• Design manufacturing methods, tooling, fixtures, and workholding solutions that improve productivity and quality.
• Create and maintain manufacturing documentation including process plans, Bills of Material (BOMs), work instructions, and engineering changes.
• Support CNC machining, forming, welding, assembly, and static load testing operations.
• Partner with Production, Quality, and Engineering to troubleshoot manufacturing challenges and improve throughput.
• Support quoting and estimating by evaluating manufacturing methods and labor requirements.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on quality, efficiency, cost reduction, and waste elimination.
• Ensure manufacturing processes comply with AS9100 quality requirements and customer specifications.

What We Are Looking For

Qualified candidates will have:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related engineering discipline (or equivalent manufacturing engineering experience).
• 5+ years of manufacturing engineering experience in aerospace, defense, or other precision manufacturing environments preferred.
• Experience supporting CNC machining, fabrication, welding, assembly, and manufacturing process development.
• Experience designing tooling, fixtures, and manufacturing workholding.
• Working knowledge of CAD software (SolidWorks preferred).
• Experience with ERP systems (Epicor preferred).
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, project management, and communication skills.
• Experience with AS9100 or ISO 9001 manufacturing environments is highly desirable.
• Working knowledge of ITAR requirements is preferred.

Why Van-Am Defense Systems?

At Van-Am Defense Systems, our engineers play a key role in delivering products that support critical defense and aerospace programs. You will work alongside experienced manufacturing professionals while helping shape the future of our operations through innovation, continuous improvement, and technical excellence.

We offer:

• Competitive compensation package
• Comprehensive benefits package
• Opportunity to work on challenging aerospace and defense programs
• Collaborative engineering environment
• Modern manufacturing equipment and technology
• Stable, growing organization committed to continuous improvement
• Career growth and professional development opportunities

Location: Waverly, Iowa

As a federal government contractor, Van-Am Defense Systems is required to maintain a drug‑free workplace under the Drug-Free Workplace Act. As part of the hiring process, all candidates who receive a conditional job offer must undergo a pre‑employment drug test, which includes testing for marijuana, regardless of state legalization.

Testing is conducted after a job offer is extended, and results are kept confidential. A positive result may impact the final offer of employment. Van-Am complies with all applicable Federal, State (including Missouri and Iowa), and DOT regulations, where relevant.

Van-Am 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, disability, or veteran status.