Manufacturing Engineer - Lean, Quality & Aerospace

STS Metals Inc; Santa Fe Springs (CA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical plans

Dental & Vision

401(k) retirement plan

Wellness program

Tuition reimbursement

Paid time off

Job summary

STS Metals Inc. in Santa Fe Springs, CA, is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer to develop and improve manufacturing processes, methods, and documentation.

You will work with cross-functional teams to drive safety, quality, and on-time delivery while supporting new products and continuous-improvement initiatives. The role emphasizes process validation, capability studies, and engineering leadership in a regulated metals environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Materials Science, Metallurgical Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Three or more years of manufacturing engineering, process engineering, quality engineering, or related experience in a manufacturing environment preferred.
• Experience within aerospace, defense, metals processing, forging, heat treatment, machining, or another highly regulated manufacturing environment strongly preferred.
• Working knowledge of manufacturing methods, process development, process controls, technical documentation, and continuous improvement.
• Familiarity with AS9100, ISO 9001, NADCAP, or comparable regulated quality systems preferred.
• Experience with root-cause analysis, corrective action, FMEA, SPC, process capability, control plans, and structured problem-solving methods.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, purchase-order requirements, technical standards, and manufacturing documentation.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to interpret data and translate findings into practical improvements.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, establish priorities, meet deadlines, and follow assignments through completion.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate technical information to both technical and nontechnical audiences.
• Demonstrated initiative, sound judgment, accountability, and the ability to work independently with general direction.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across departments and build credibility with production employees, leadership, customers, and external parties.
• Demonstrated interest and capability in developing technical leadership, project-management, and broader departmental responsibilities.
• Experience working directly with aerospace primes or major aerospace suppliers is a plus.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and experience working with ERP, quality-management, statistical-analysis, or manufacturing software.
• Lean, Six Sigma, ASQ, project-management, or related professional certification is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop, document, implement, and improve manufacturing processes, methods, routings, work instructions, and process parameters.
• Evaluate existing manufacturing processes and recommend improvements related to safety, quality, productivity, cost, capacity, and reliability.
• Provide hands-on engineering support to production employees, supervisors, quality personnel, and maintenance teams.
• Review production requirements, drawings, specifications, purchase orders, and customer requirements to determine appropriate manufacturing methods.
• Support the introduction of new products, materials, equipment, tooling, and processes into production.
• Assist with process validation, capability studies, first article activities, and manufacturing readiness reviews.
• Develop and maintain process flow diagrams, manufacturing plans, tooling requirements, and technical documentation.
• Evaluate equipment and tooling needs and assist with equipment selection, installation, qualification, and implementation.
• Identify manufacturing risks and recommend appropriate controls before production begins.
• Lead and participate in continuous-improvement projects focused on reducing scrap, rework, cycle time, downtime, and process variation.
• Analyze production, quality, and operational data to identify trends, risks, constraints, and improvement opportunities.
• Recommend and implement practical solutions that improve throughput, workflow, equipment utilization, and on-time delivery.
• Apply Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, and other structured improvement methodologies when appropriate.
• Develop project plans, timelines, performance measures, and implementation strategies for assigned initiatives.
• Track the effectiveness of implemented changes and make additional adjustments when results do not meet expectations.
• Support cost-reduction projects while maintaining product quality, safety, and customer requirements.
• Assist in establishing and monitoring engineering and quality KPIs, department goals, and performance metrics.
• Collaborate with Production, Quality, Maintenance, Planning, Purchasing, Sales, and other departments to address technical and operational needs.
• Communicate engineering requirements and process changes clearly to employees at all organizational levels.
• Participate in production meetings, technical reviews, corrective-action meetings, and project-planning discussions.
• Provide technical guidance and training to production employees, inspectors, supervisors, and other team members.
• Assist with customer technical questions, specification reviews, process inquiries, corrective actions, and audit requests.
• Work with suppliers and outside processors to resolve technical issues and improve process or product performance.
• Develop productive working relationships with internal teams, customers, suppliers, and external auditors.

Skills

Three+ years experience

Root-cause analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem solving

Lean / Six Sigma

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing/Mechanical/Industrial Engineering or related field

Tools

ERP systems

Quality management software

Statistical analysis software

Manufacturing software

Job description

STS Metals Inc. in Santa Fe Springs, CA, is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer to develop and improve manufacturing processes, methods, and documentation.

You will work with cross-functional teams to drive safety, quality, and on-time delivery while supporting new products and continuous-improvement initiatives. The role emphasizes process validation, capability studies, and engineering leadership in a regulated metals environment.