Manufacturing Engineer II

Karman Space & Defense; Huntington Beach (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off, HSA with company conrib

FSA

Company-paid life and AD&D insurance

Disability coverage

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Karman Space & Defense in Huntington Beach, CA seeks a Composites Manufacturing Engineer II to develop and improve manufacturing processes for complex aerospace composites. You will collaborate with engineering, operations, and program management to create documentation, design tooling, and drive hands-on project execution to support production readiness.

The role emphasizes process improvement, quality, and successful integration of composite materials into customer programs, with opportunities

Qualifications

• Minimum 2+ years in Manufacturing Engineering or composite design.
• Ability to read engineering drawings and specifications.
• Proficiency in GD&T and blueprint reading.
• DoD Secret clearance eligibility or ability to obtain one.

Responsibilities

• Develops manufacturing processes for composite aerospace products to meet customer requirements.
• Creates fabrication, process, and control documentation to support composite production.
• Designs and drafts tooling required to meet production rates and quality standards.
• Coordinates day-to-day project activities to ensure objectives and customer needs are met.
• Acts as technical interface with customers, providing program updates and reviews.
• Performs root cause analysis and develops corrective actions for issues.
• Reviews build documentation and tooling designs for accuracy and manufacturability.
• Assists in pricing and lead-time estimates for quotes and information.

Skills

Composite manufacturing

GD&T

Blueprint reading

Root cause analysis

Tooling for composites

Design-for-manufacturing

Customer support

Multitasking

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Composites Manufacturing Engineer II

Karman Space & Defense is a leader in the rapid design, development, and production of critical, next-generation system solutions that align with the U.S. Department of War and its allies' core mission priorities, and meet the accelerating demand for access to space. Building on nearly 50 years of success, we deliver Payload & Protection Systems, Aero/Hydrodynamic Interstage Systems, and Propulsion & Launch Systems to more than 80 prime contractors supporting over 130 space and defense programs.

This role is part of our Hypersonics and Strategic Missile Defense business, which designs, develops, and delivers highly dependable missile systems for hypersonic and strategic missile defense missions. We provide integrated, mission-ready hardware that brings together multiple technologies into unified systems engineered to perform in demanding operational environments. Our tip-to-tail capabilities include payload protection and deployment systems, propulsion systems, aerodynamic interstage systems, separation systems, missile subsystems, shroud systems, launch systems, and payload integration solutions.

As a Composites Manufacturing Engineer II, you will play a key role in developing and improving manufacturing processes for complex composite aerospace products. You will collaborate closely with engineering, operations, and program management to create manufacturing documentation, design tooling, and drive hands-on project execution. Your work will directly support production readiness, quality, and the successful integration of composite materials into customer programs.

Responsibilities

• Develops manufacturing processes for composite aerospace products to meet customer requirements.
• Creates fabrication, process, and control documentation to support composite production.
• Designs and drafts tooling required to meet program production rates and quality standards.
• Coordinates day-to-day project activities to ensure technical objectives and customer needs are met.
• Serves as a technical interface with customers, providing program updates and participating in reviews and problem-solving discussions.
• Performs root cause analysis and develops corrective actions for product or process issues.
• Reviews build documentation and tooling designs to ensure accuracy and manufacturability.
• Supports development of pricing and lead-time estimates for customer requests for quotes and information.
• Analyzes and improves existing manufacturing processes to enhance efficiency and resolve production challenges.
• Collaborates with multi-disciplinary teams to ensure effective integration of composite manufacturing methods.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 2+ years of experience in Manufacturing Engineering or composite design.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering specifications, including drawings and material or processing specifications.
• Proficiency in geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) and blueprint reading.
• Demonstrated understanding of identifying root cause and Non-Conformance issues
• Demonstrated experience working with tooling used for composite processing or mechanical assembly.
• Experience supporting design-for-manufacturing and assembly activities.
• A current U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Secret security clearance or the ability to obtain and maintain one.

Preferred Qualifications

• Expertise in modeling and drafting
• Experience with aerospace composite manufacturing methodologies such as autoclave or press molding
• Knowledge of mid-size corporate processes and systems.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities across multiple projects.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).
• Experience providing direct customer support.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.

Special Mentions

• Minimal travel may be required for this position.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time offHealth Savings Account (HSA) with company contribution
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Company-paid life and AD&D insurance
• Short-and long-term disability coverage
• Tuition reimbursement

Karman Space and Defense is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.