Manufacturing Engineer with Security Clearance

Akima Infrastructure Services; North Charleston (SC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Akima Mission Optimization (AMO) is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer to provide technical leadership across the full product lifecycle, from concept through production readiness and continuous improvement. The role emphasizes DFM/DFA, process development, and tight collaboration with engineering, production, quality, and supply chain teams.

Candidates must have a Master’s degree in an ABET-accredited discipline and 10+ years of experience, with the ability to obtain a SECRET clearance.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in a related ABET-accredited engineering discipline.
• 10+ years of manufacturing engineering or related systems engineering experience.
• Ability to obtain a secret security clearance.
• Experience transitioning products from development/prototype into repeatable production.
• Demonstrated success working in cross-functional engineering and production teams.

Responsibilities

• Participate in product realization planning from conception through delivery.
• Develop manufacturing strategies for prototype, LRIP, and full-rate production.
• Provide manufacturing engineering input throughout design and requirements development.
• Lead root-cause analysis and corrective-action activities.
• Collaborate with Quality Engineering to define inspection points and controls.
• Lead initiatives to improve cost, quality, schedule, and throughput.
• Provide technical support to Supply Chain for supplier evaluation and selection.

Skills

Cross-functional teamwork

Manufacturing process development

DFM/DFA

Root-cause analysis

Education

Master's degree in ABET-accredited engineering

Tools

SETR

FAI processes

PPAP

Job description

The Manufacturing Engineer provides technical leadership in developing, implementing, and continuously improving manufacturing processes for complex products and integrated systems. As a key technical interface between Engineering, Production, Quality, Supply Chain, Program Management, and Systems Engineering, this role ensures products are manufactured safely, efficiently, and in compliance with contractual, quality, and regulatory requirements. This position may serve as a lead and supports the full product lifecycle-from early concept and design through production readiness, manufacturing execution, testing, delivery, and ongoing process optimization. Emphasis is placed on design for manufacturability and assembly (DFM/DFA), manufacturing process development, tooling, production planning, risk mitigation, configuration control, and resolution of production issues. Security Requirements Access to classified information at the SECRET level is required. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and able to obtain and maintain a favorable SECRET clearance through DCSA. Continued employment is contingent on the clearance being granted and maintained. This is an onsite position that requires the candidate to live within commuting distance of North Charleston, SC.

Product Realization & Production Readiness

Participate in product realization planning from conception through delivery.

• Evaluate designs for manufacturability, producibility, assembly, testability, cost, quality, and production risk.
• Lead or support Manufacturing Readiness Reviews (MRR), Production Readiness Reviews (PRR), and contribute to Systems Engineering Technical Reviews (SETR).
• Identify manufacturing requirements, constraints, tooling needs, equipment needs, risks, and production capabilities early in development.
• Develop manufacturing strategies for prototype, Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP), and full-rate production.
• Support transition of products from development/prototype builds into controlled, repeatable production.

Manufacturing Process Development

Develop, document, implement, and maintain manufacturing and assembly processes.

• Create process flows, routings, work instructions, bills of material, and tooling specifications.
• Define manufacturing methods, equipment, tooling, fixtures, materials, and process controls.
• Establish critical process parameters and performance monitoring methods.
• Evaluate process capability, repeatability, throughput, yield, and capacity.
• Lead process qualification and validation activities.
• Identify opportunities for automation or advanced manufacturing technologies.

Engineering & Design Support

Provide manufacturing engineering input throughout design and requirements development.

• Conduct DFM/DFA assessments.
• Review drawings, specifications, tolerances, BOMs, and technical data packages for producibility.
• Participate in Preliminary Design Reviews, Critical Design Reviews, and other engineering reviews.
• Recommend design improvements supporting quality, cost, reliability, and manufacturability.
• Collaborate with Systems, Mechanical, Electrical, Software, Test, and Quality Engineering to resolve technical and production issues.

Production Support

Provide senior-level support to manufacturing and assembly operations.

• Investigate production problems, defects, process failures, and nonconformances.
• Lead root-cause analysis and corrective-action activities.
• Develop and implement corrective/preventive actions.
• Evaluate deviations, substitutions, and process changes for technical impact.
• Support MRB activities as required.
• Provide technical guidance to production staff and junior engineers.
• Ensure manufacturing processes remain aligned with approved configuration baselines.

Quality & Process Control

Collaborate with Quality Engineering to define inspection points, acceptance criteria, and manufacturing controls.

• Apply statistical tools to evaluate process capability and performance.
• Support FAI, source inspections, acceptance testing, and customer quality activities.
• Participate in corrective and preventive action programs and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Support compliance with the Quality Management System and applicable customer requirements.

Continuous Improvement

Lead initiatives to improve cost, quality, schedule, throughput, yield, safety, and manufacturing efficiency.

• Apply Lean, Six Sigma, SPC, and other CI methods as appropriate.
• Analyze manufacturing data to identify trends and improvement opportunities.
• Develop business cases for capital equipment, tooling, automation, and facility improvements.
• Establish and monitor manufacturing performance metrics.

Supply Chain & Supplier Support

Provide technical support to Supply Chain for supplier evaluation and selection.

• Assess supplier manufacturing processes, capacity, and risks.
• Support make/buy analyses and supplier technical assessments.
• Assist in resolving supplier-related production or quality issues.
• Participate in supplier readiness reviews when required.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in a related ABET-accredited engineering discipline.
• 10+ years of manufacturing engineering or related systems engineering experience.
• Ability to obtain a secret security clearance.
• Experience transitioning products from development/prototype into repeatable production.
• Demonstrated success working in cross-functional engineering and production teams.

Desired Qualifications

Active secret security clearance.

• Proven experience developing and implementing manufacturing processes for complex products or systems, particularly C6ISR systems integrated into military vehicle platforms.
• Strong experience resolving complex manufacturing and production issues.
• Systems Engineering Technical Review (SETR) experience.
• ISO9001:2015 Quality Management Systems.
• DoD contracts and customer requirements.
• Manufacturing Readiness Levels and Technology Readiness Levels.
• Production Readiness Reviews (PRRs).
• First Article Inspection (FAI) processes.
• Lean/Six Sigma, SPC, and statistical analysis tools.
• Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA).
• Production Part Approval Process (PPAP).
• Prototype, low-volume, and high-mix manufacturing environments.
• Electronics, electromechanical, mechanical, or integrated system production.

Job ID 2026-26647 Work Type On-Site Company Description Work Where it Matters Akima Mission Optimization (AMO), an Akima company, is not just another federal logistics contractor. As an Alaska Native Corporation (ANC), our mission and purpose extend beyond our exciting federal projects as we support our shareholder communities in Alaska. At AMO, the work you do every day makes a difference in the lives of our 15,000 Iñupiat shareholders, a group of Alaska natives from one of the most remote and harshest environments in the United States. For our shareholders, AMO provides support and employment opportunities and contributes to the survival of a culture that has thrived above the Arctic Circle for more than 10,000 years. For our government customers, AMO delivers innovative administrative support services that streamline operations, and enhance productivity. As an AMO employee, you will be surrounded by a challenging, yet supportive work environment that is committed to innovation and diversity, two of our most important values. You will also have access to our comprehensive benefits and competitive pay in addition to growth opportunities and excellent retirement options.