Manufacturing Engineer II

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

Job summary

Cartridge Actuated Devices is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer II specializing in Energetics and CAD/PAD to join our Fairfield, NJ and Byram, NJ operations. This on-site role focuses on planning and optimizing manufacturing processes for energetic hardware and precision components, driving DFM transitions, and enabling robust production handoffs from R&D.

You will lead tooling design, develop work instructions, resolve MRB issues, and implement PFMEA and SPC within AS9100/ISO 9001 quality

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering (manufacturing/industrial/mechanical or materials science).
• 3–5+ years in production, manufacturing, or process engineering in high-reliability environments (aerospace/defense).
• Ability to read ASME Y14.5 GD&T drawings.
• Experience designing assembly jigs/fixtures or inspection tooling (3D CAD).
• Working knowledge of ERP/MRP systems for routings, BOMs, and engineering change implementation.
• U.S. Person (citizen or permanent resident) to satisfy ITAR/EAR requirements; able to obtain ATF Employee Possessor status.

Responsibilities

• Manufacturing process planning, routing, MBOMs, SOPs, and work instructions.
• Tooling and fixture engineering for assembly tooling and inspection gauges.
• Lead NPI and DFM/ DFA handoffs from R&D to production.
• MRB and CAPA management for non-conforming hardware.
• PFMEA and SPC implementation to minimize variance and risks.
• Provide floor support to machinists and technicians; resolve bottlenecks.
• Ensure compliance with AS9100/ISO 9001, NIST SP 800-171/CMMC, and ATF regulations.

Skills

GD&T

SolidWorks

ERP/MRP

Lean Manufacturing

CNC Machining

Energetics handling

DoD/DFARS

Quality Systems

Education

Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing/Industrial/Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

SAP

SyteLine

Epicor

Sage

Job description

Manufacturing Engineer II – Energetics & CAD/PAD

$85,000 – $105,000 / year

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

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.
• 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.
• 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).
• 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.