Manufacturing Engineer – Rubber/Elastomers

RPS Recruitment; Brea (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

RPS Recruitment on behalf of a well-established aerospace and defense manufacturer in Brea, CA, seeks a hands-on Manufacturing Engineer for rubber and elastomer components. The role covers tooling, molding, extrusion and plastics processes on-site Monday–Friday.

You’ll troubleshoot shop-floor issues, lead RCCA/8D investigations, drive lean improvements, and assist new product introductions. A BS in engineering and 3+ years of manufacturing experience are required, plus US citizenship or

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Chemical, Materials or Manufacturing Engineering, or equivalent experience
• 3+ years of manufacturing or process engineering experience
• Hands-on experience with rubber or elastomer manufacturing (required)
• Experience with composites, plastics, compression molding and/or extrusion (strongly preferred)
• Proven troubleshooting, tooling design and continuous improvement experience
• Strong problem-solving skills using RCCA, 8D or similar methods
• Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced production environment
• Aerospace, defense or AS9100 experience is a plus
• Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident (ITAR)

Responsibilities

• Support daily production of rubber and elastomer components, troubleshooting process, mold and quality issues on the shop floor
• Design and improve tooling, molds, fixtures and workholding to raise quality and efficiency
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective action (RCCA) for production and quality issues
• Drive continuous improvement projects using lean principles to reduce scrap, cycle time and cost
• Support compression molding, extrusion, and composite and plastics processes
• Create and maintain work instructions, process documentation and manufacturing aids
• Work cross-functionally with production, quality, tooling and operations leadership
• Support new product introduction and process changes from trial through full production

Skills

Rubber/elastomer manufacturing

RCCA/8D problem solving

Tooling design

Molding extrusion plastics

Lean manufacturing

Root cause analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's in Mechanical/Chemical/Materials/Manufacturing Engineering

Tools

Mold tooling design

Process tooling

Job description

Manufacturing Engineer – Rubber/ElastomersLocation: Brea, CA (On-site, Monday–Friday)Salary: Competitive salary depending on experienceType: Full-time, Direct HireAbout the CompanyOur client is a well-established aerospace and defense manufacturer with more than 100 years of history, specializing in high-performance elastomer and polymer components. Their products fly on commercial, military and business aircraft worldwide, as well as on missiles, space launchers and satellites, including sole-source components on major Boeing, Airbus and F-35 programs. As part of a large global aerospace group, they offer the stability of a major organization with the hands-on impact of a focused manufacturing team.About the RoleWe’re looking for a hands-on Manufacturing Engineer with rubber and elastomer experience to support and improve production. You’ll troubleshoot processes on the floor, design tooling, and drive continuous improvement across molding, extrusion and composite/plastics operations.What You’ll DoSupport daily production of rubber and elastomer components, troubleshooting process, mold and quality issues on the shop floorDesign and improve tooling, molds, fixtures and workholding to raise quality and efficiencyLead root cause analysis and corrective action (RCCA) for production and quality issuesDrive continuous improvement projects using lean principles to reduce scrap, cycle time and costSupport compression molding, extrusion, and composite and plastics processesCreate and maintain work instructions, process documentation and manufacturing aidsWork cross-functionally with production, quality, tooling and operations leadershipSupport new product introduction and process changes from trial through full productionWhat You’ll BringBachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Chemical, Materials or Manufacturing Engineering, or equivalent experience3+ years of manufacturing or process engineering experienceHands-on experience with rubber or elastomer manufacturing (required)Experience with composites, plastics, compression molding and/or extrusion (strongly preferred)Proven troubleshooting, tooling design and continuous improvement experienceStrong problem-solving skills using RCCA, 8D or similar methodsAbility to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced production environmentAerospace, defense or AS9100 experience is a plusMust be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident (ITAR)Why JoinCompetitive salary and benefitsHands-on ownership of processes with real impact on productionStability with a growing aerospace manufacturerRoom to grow into senior engineering roles