Manufacturing Engineer III

Socket.dev; West Valley (WA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

HSA with company contribution

FSA

Life and AD&D insurance

Disability insurance

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Karman Space and Defense is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer to ensure products are designed for efficient production from early development through full-rate manufacturing. You will strengthen process capability, improve producibility, and support quality across the product lifecycle.

Responsibilities include driving design for manufacturability, mentoring junior engineers, establishing production processes and controls, designing fixtures and inspection gauges, coordinating material planning,

Qualifications

• BS in Manufacturing Engineering or Mechanical Engineering.
• 4+ years of relevant industry experience.
• Strong mechanical aptitude in fabrication and assembly.
• Ability to read and generate blueprints, drawings, and technical diagrams.
• Familiarity with material properties, in-process verification, and validation.
• Proficiency in Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T).
• Active DoD Secret clearance or ability to obtain one.

Responsibilities

• Drive design for manufacturability and influence early development decisions.
• Mentor junior manufacturing engineers to build team capability.
• Establish, monitor, and validate production processes and controls.
• Design, develop, and implement fixtures, tools, and inspection gauges.
• Coordinate material and resource planning to support schedule adherence.
• Lead manufacturing workflow planning and production line setup.
• Solve complex problems using data, references, and inspection tools.
• Collaborate with engineers across disciplines to represent manufacturing requirements.

Skills

Design for Manufacturability

Blueprint reading

GD&T

Mentoring

Education

BS in Manufacturing Engineering

BS in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Fixtures design

Inspection gauges

Job description

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.

In this role, you help ensure products are designed and built for efficient, reliable production from early development through full‑rate manufacturing. You contribute engineering support that strengthens process capability, enhances producibility, and supports ongoing improvements that maintain quality throughout the product lifecycle.

Responsibilities

• Supports product design teams by driving design for manufacturability and influencing early development decisions.
• Mentors junior manufacturing engineers to build team capability and technical proficiency.
• Establishes, monitors, and validates production processes and controls as a process owner or subject matter expert.
• Designs, develops, and implements complex fixtures, tools, and inspection gages for fabrication and assembly.
• Coordinates material and resource planning with product teams to support schedule adherence.
• Leads manufacturing workflow planning and production line setup to optimize operational efficiency.
• Solves complex technical problems using engineering references, data, and inspection tools.
• Collaborates with engineers across disciplines to represent manufacturing requirements and ensure cohesive technical execution.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or an equivalent field.
• Minimum 4 years of relevant industry experience.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and hands‑on engineering experience in a fabrication and assembly shop environment.
• Ability to read and generate blueprints, drawings, and technical diagrams.
• Familiarity with basic material properties, in‑process verification, and validation.
• Proficiency in Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T).
• A current U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Secret security clearance or the ability to obtain and maintain one.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off
• Health 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.