Manufacturing Engineer: Space Hardware & DFMA

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab; Laurel (MD); On-site; USD 85,000 - 195,000; Full time

Job summary

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) seeks a Manufacturing Engineer to drive fabrication of large, complex hardware for space, land, sea, and air programs. You will guide design-for-manufacturing, develop plans and production strategies, and lead cross-disciplinary teams to ensure high-quality, on-time delivery.

You will work with engineers, machinists, and program teams to optimize processes, reduce cost and schedule risk, and advance state-of-the-art manufacturing capabilities in a

Qualifications

• Requires a B.S. in Mechanical, Aerospace, or Manufacturing Engineering.
• 3+ years of manufacturing engineering experience across multiple fabrication processes.
• Experience with CAD tools such as CREO or SolidWorks and GD&T (ASME Y14.5).
• Ability to interpret drawings and apply GD&T to support manufacturing and inspection.
• Strong planning, communication, and collaboration skills in multidisciplinary teams.
• Willingness to work in a laboratory environment and travel as needed.
• Eligibility to obtain a Secret level security clearance (U.S. citizenship).

Responsibilities

• Serve as SME for mechanical fabrication technologies (machining, additive manufacturing, welding, sheet metal, composites, etc.).
• Partner with engineering teams to apply DFMA to improve manufacturability, quality, cost, and schedule.
• Interpret engineering drawings and GD&T to translate design intent into manufacturing solutions.
• Develop manufacturing plans, process flows, and production strategies for prototype hardware.
• Leverage ERP/MRP systems to support production planning and material management.
• Coordinate with engineers, machinists, technicians, inspectors, and suppliers to resolve issues.
• Develop manufacturing estimates, schedules, and resource plans for complex fabrication efforts.
• Lead or support R&D initiatives to evaluate advanced manufacturing technologies.
• Stay current with emerging manufacturing technologies and best practices.
• Provide technical leadership to strengthen APL's manufacturing ecosystem.

Skills

Planing

Communication

Collaboration

Education

BS in Mechanical/Aerospace/Manufacturing Engineering

Tools

CREO

SolidWorks

ERP/MRP systems

Job description

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) seeks a Manufacturing Engineer to drive fabrication of large, complex hardware for space, land, sea, and air programs. You will guide design-for-manufacturing, develop plans and production strategies, and lead cross-disciplinary teams to ensure high-quality, on-time delivery.

You will work with engineers, machinists, and program teams to optimize processes, reduce cost and schedule risk, and advance state-of-the-art manufacturing capabilities in a