Manufacturing Engineer II

Cartridge Actuated Devices; Fairfield (NJ); On-site; USD 85,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Cartridge Actuated Devices is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer II to bridge design and shop floor for energetic hardware. You will lead DFМ transitions, design jigs and fixtures, and drive continuous improvements in a high-reliability environment.

The role requires hands-on manufacturing process planning, NPI collaboration, and strict adherence to AS9100/ISO 9001, NIST SP 800-171, and ATF regulations to ensure safe, compliant production.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing, Mechanical, Industrial, or related field.
• 3–5+ years in precision aerospace/defense manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Plan, maintain, and optimize MBOMs, routing, SOPs, and shop floor work instructions.
• Design assembly tooling, fixtures, and inspection aids to improve throughput and safety.
• Support NPI/DFM/DFA handoffs from R&D into production.
• Act as MRB authority; perform root-cause analyses and CAPA implementations.
• Conduct PFMEA and SPC to minimize process variance and risks.
• Provide floor support to machinists, technicians, and energetic handling teams.
• Ensure compliance with AS9100/ISO9001, NIST SP 800-171, and ATF regulations.

Skills

GD&T

3D CAD

Jigs & fixtures

ERP/MRP (SAP)

AS9100 / ISO 9001

CAPA / 8D

ATF / ITAR compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing/Mechanical/Industrial Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

SAP

SyteLine

Epicor

Sage

Job description

Position Title: Manufacturing Engineer II – Energetics & CAD/PAD

Salary Range: $85,000 – $105,000 / year

Locations: Fairfield, NJ & Byram, NJ (On-site / Multi-facility travel)

Employment Type: Full-Time

Company Overview

We design, develop, and manufacture mission-critical energetic, pyrotechnic, Cartridge Actuated Devices (CAD), and Propellant Actuated Devices (PAD). Our products serve high-consequence applications across aerospace, defense, government, and commercial sectors where ultra-high reliability, precision manufacturing, and strict process repeatability are mandatory.

Role Summary

The Production Engineer II bridges the gap between design engineering and shop‑floor execution. This role is responsible for planning, establishing, and optimizing manufacturing and assembly processes for energetic hardware, custom tooling, and precision‑machined components. Working under general direction, the Production Engineer leads Design for Manufacturability (DFM) transitions, designs machine shop fixturing, develops work instructions (routers/SOPs), resolves manufacturing non‑conformances (MRB), and drives continuous process improvements within an AS9100 / ISO 9001 quality framework.

Key Responsibilities

• Manufacturing Process Planning & Routing: Establish, maintain, and optimize manufacturing bills of materials (MBOMs), assembly routers, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and detailed shop floor work instructions.
• Tooling & Fixture Engineering: Design and implement custom assembly tooling, machine shop fixtures, energetic loading aids, and inspection gages to enhance manufacturing throughput and operator safety.
• New Product Introduction (NPI) & DFM: Partner with Design Engineering during PDR/CDRs to ensure robust Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA), executing smooth handoffs from R&D into production.
• Discrepancy Resolution & MRB: Act as engineering authority on the Material Review Board (MRB); disposition non‑conforming hardware, perform root‑cause failure analyses (8D, 5‑Why, Fishbone), and implement Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPA).
• Process Capability & Risk Mitigation: Conduct Process Failure Mode and Effects Analyses (PFMEA) and implement Statistical Process Control (SPC) to minimize variance and eliminate assembly risks in energetic operations.
• Machine Shop & Assembly Floor Support: Provide day‑to‑day technical support to machine shop machinists, assembly technicians, and pyrotechnic handling teams to resolve production bottlenecks and machining/assembly challenges.
• Quality & Cybersecurity Standards: Maintain strict adherence to AS9100 / ISO 9001 quality management systems, NIST SP 800-171 / CMMC Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) safeguarding protocols, and ATF energetic handling regulations.

Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related discipline.

Experience: 3–5+ years of production, manufacturing, or process engineering experience in precision aerospace, defense, ordnance/energetics, medical device, or high‑reliability electromechanical manufacturing.

Technical Skills: Proficiency in reading and interpreting complex engineering drawings using ASME Y14.5 GD&T. Experience designing assembly jigs, machining fixtures, or inspection tooling using 3D CAD (SolidWorks preferred). Strong working knowledge of conventional and CNC machining, metal finishing/plating, and precision mechanical assembly methods.

Quality & Systems:

• Practical experience with ERP/MRP systems (e.g., SAP, SyteLine, Epicor, Sage) for routings, BOMs, and engineering change implementation.
• Working knowledge of AS9100 / ISO 9001 quality management systems and structured root‑cause problem‑solving (8D, CAPA).

Legal & Regulatory Requirements:

• Must be a U.S. Person (U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident) to satisfy ITAR and EAR requirements. Must be able to obtain and maintain an ATF Employee Possessor status.

Desired Skills & Experience

• Machine Shop Proficiency: Hands‑on machine shop skills (manual lathe, mill, tooling setup) to evaluate and troubleshoot machining processes directly on the floor.
• Energetics Handling: Prior experience with pyrotechnic loading, explosive presses, hermetic sealing, or hazardous material safety standards (DoD 4145.26-M, OSHA).
• Lean / Continuous Improvement: Practical experience with Lean Manufacturing principles (5S, Value Stream Mapping, Kaizen, SMED, Line Balancing) or Six Sigma Green Belt.
• CUI / Defense Compliance: Prior training or exposure to Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) handling procedures under NIST 800-171 / DFARS.

Work Environment & Physical Demands

• Active, hands‑on environment split between the manufacturing production floor, machine shop, energetic loading/assembly cells, and office engineering spaces.
• Routine local travel between our Fairfield, NJ and Byram, NJ facilities (must possess a valid driver's license).
• Physical activity includes walking, standing for extended periods on the manufacturing floor, bending, reaching, and occasionally lifting up to 40 lbs of tooling, fixtures, or raw materials.