Manufacturing Engineer (Space Valves)

Zenix Aerospace SoCal; El Cajon (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Zenix Aerospace is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer (Space Valves) to design and optimize manufacturing and quality plans for space valve products. You will work on valve designs, tooling, and processes to ensure performance meets customer specifications.

The role requires hands-on experience with precision manufacturing, GD&T, and metals like titanium and nickel alloys. Collaboration with cross-functional teams and support for new start-ups are key aspects of the position.

Qualifications

• Must have hands-on experience with precision manufacturing for aerospace components.
• Experience applying GD&T to complex assemblies is required.
• Understanding of materials like titanium, aluminum and nickel alloys in valve components.

Responsibilities

• Develop manufacturing and quality plans for space valve products, controlling cost and quality.
• Design, test, and qualify valve designs for space vehicle applications.
• Lead root-cause investigations and implement corrective actions.

Skills

GD&T

NX/SolidWorks/CATIA

Machining background

Titanium/Aluminum/Nickel

Engineering design principles

Fluid-control systems

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering

Tools

NX

SolidWorks

CATIA

Job description

Zenix Aerospace Is Currently Hiring The Following Position

Title:

Manufacturing Engineer (Space Valves)

Shift:

1st shift (6:30am – 3:00pm) Full Time, 9/80 schedule

Facility & Location:

Ketema, El Cajon, CA

Who is Zenix Aerospace?

We are a global leader uniting decades of expertise under one name. Zenix Aerospace™ is a leading supplier of structural airframe and engine components to the global aerospace and space industries. A critical supplier across all major fuel‑efficient commercial narrowbody platforms with a global footprint in eight strategic locations across the US, UK, and South East Asia. We deliver on time, to the highest standards of quality and safety, as a trusted partner in aerospace excellence.

We are the leading partner in aerospace engineering uniting global expertise with a shared vision, we design and deliver high‑technology aerospace components that keep aircraft and space systems flying safely, reliably, and efficiently. With a global footprint, decades of engineering heritage, and a future‑focused approach to digital innovation, we are trusted by the world’s leading aerospace companies to deliver consistent excellence. Together, we are elevating aerospace.

Who is Zenix Aerospace Ketema?

Zenix Aerospace Ketema is a leading provider of components for aircraft and turbine engine builders, as well as precision products for space, marine and ground‑based applications. Zenix Aerospace Ketema specializes in producing complex fabrications and machined components from titanium and nickel alloys.

What Does the Job Involve?

The Manufacturing Engineer (Space Valves) creates the manufacturing and quality plans for scheduled products at the lowest cost within quality/customer specifications by developing optimal equipment, tooling, materials and manufacturing processes. The engineer will provide in‑depth problem solving and technical expertise for the design, development, and sustainment of complex valve and space products.

What Will My Responsibilities Include?

• Utilizes manufacturing expertise to provide value engineering suggestions to Estimating, Operations, Planning, and Purchasing, while developing and executing process improvement plans for quality, cost, and workflow.
• Responsible for designing, manufacturing, testing, and qualifying various valve designs for space vehicle applications.
• Leads failure and anomaly investigations with a strong focus on root cause and corrective actions.
• Analyzes statistical data and product specifications to determine standards and reliability objectives of finished product.
• Supports the development of writing set up cards and other documentation to make processes more efficient and eliminate variability between operators.
• Designs, evaluates and/or modifies tool designs for new and existing products.
• Develops testing methods and production standards for new and existing products to meet customer requirements.
• Supports manufacturing operations directly by assisting in improving efficiency, developing repeatable processes, supporting implementation of new equipment and methods, and making planning changes as required.
• Involved integrally in the transition of new product start‑ups from initial release to sustaining production.
• Formulates sampling procedures and designs and develops forms and instructions for recording, evaluating, and reporting quality and reliability data.
• Assists Cell Leaders with capital expenditure plans, elimination of process variation, and development of standard work instructions.
• Works closely with shop personnel to resolve production problems and implement best methods.
• Develops and supports manufacturing priorities and monitors status of special projects.
• Provides input to new business start‑up and Estimating for the best process methods and tools.
• Proof checks his/her own work and the work of others at this level and below as required.
• Suggests design changes or recommends improvements in production methods.
• Plans and oversees development programs, and prepares procedures and responses.
• Communicate directly with the customer to solve critical issues.

What Key Skills Do I Need?

• Knowledge of GD&T essential.
• Knowledge of design software (NX, Solidworks, CATIA) essential.
• Machining and assembly background preferred.
• Understanding of practical manufacturing processes including titanium, aluminum, nickel bases, etc.
• Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in the production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
• Knowledge and demonstrated experience with hydraulic, pneumatic, or fluid‑control systems, including hands‑on involvement in valve design, development, qualification, or acceptance testing.

Preferred Skills

• Strong understanding of engineering fundamentals for cryogenic valve design, including material selection, compressible flow, thermodynamics, structures, controls, and instrumentation.
• Proficiency with instrumentation commonly used in valve and fluid‑system development, such as pressure transducers, thermocouples, load cells, and flowmeters.
• Knowledge of Aerospace standards.

What Qualifications Should I Have?

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering from an accredited college preferred or equivalent experience.

Experience

• 3 to 5 years; Manufacturing experience; Aerospace strongly preferred.

Why Join Zenix Aerospace?

Joining Zenix Aerospace means not only a rewarding career with a tight‑knit and collaborative team, but you will also enjoy a competitive compensation package that includes a market‑led base salary, a comprehensive benefits package along with wellness benefits, employee recognition program, matching 401k plan, paid vacation, employee wellness activities, tuition reimbursement, and community involvement initiatives.

If offer of employment is made it will be contingent upon passing all of the following: Drug Test, Background Check, ITAR and U.S. Export Compliance Screening.

Equal Opportunity Employer: minority/female/disability/veteran

Access to our facility (and, therefore, employment) is restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and/or Export Administration Regulations (EAR) to U.S. Citizens, lawful permanent residents, U.S. refugees, asylees or temporary residents under amnesty provisions [as defined in 8 USC 1324b(a)(3)] and properly licensed foreign persons. Applicants receiving a conditional offer of employment will be required to provide information to determine whether they are subject to these regulations and, if so, to assess their country of chargeability for trade compliance control purposes. Additionally, potential employee’s names will be screened against the Consolidated Screening List (maintained by the United States government) to determine eligibility to receive technical data.