Manufacturing Engineering Manager - Autonomous Aircraft

Digitailor; Costa Mesa (CA); On-site; USD 147,000 - 196,000; Full time

Job summary

Anduril Industries in Costa Mesa, CA, seeks a Manufacturing Engineering Manager to build and lead a new autonomous aircraft program. You will hire, structure, and guide a hands-on team, shaping strategy and delivering manufacturing readiness from prototyping to full-rate production.

As a working manager, you will own key process documentation, drive continuous improvement, and collaborate across program management, supply chain, and quality. A security clearance is preferred.

Qualifications

• Experience on aircraft programs — fixed-wing, UAV, or autonomous air vehicles — from development through LRIP or full-rate production.
• Previous experience designing, building out, and commissioning factories or new production lines (greenfield or brownfield).
• Experience across multiple manufacturing engineering disciplines: structures and composites, mechanical systems, fluid systems (hydraulic, fuel, pneumatic), propulsion integration, avionics, or wire harness manufacturing.
• Knowledge of low-observable (LO) coating, energetics, mission systems, or propulsion manufacturing.
• Experience transitioning hardware from prototype through first-article to full-rate production.
• Knowledge of AS9100, aerospace quality systems, and non-conformance management processes.
• Experience with Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, or structured continuous improvement methodologies.
• Proficient in CAD software (CATIA, SolidWorks, NX, or equivalent) and familiar with modern manufacturing technologies and automation.
• Experience working with Teamcenter, SAP, Oracle, or similar PLM/ERP platforms.
• Personal experience physically manufacturing hardware via any means (machining, fabrication, soldering, assembly, etc.).
• Work on personal or extracurricular projects is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Build and lead the manufacturing engineering team for a new Autonomous Airpower aircraft program — hiring, structuring the team, setting goals, providing technical direction, and evaluating performance.
• Act as a working manager — stay close to the engineering work, make technical program decisions, and own key manufacturing engineering deliverables yourself, especially during the early phase of the program when the team is lean.
• Develop and execute strategic plans for production capabilities, incorporating new technologies, methodologies, and automation across the aircraft's manufacturing lifecycle.
• Partner with chief engineers and design engineering during all phases of development — from concept trades and DFM input through design reviews, prototype and first-article builds, LRIP, and transition to full-rate production.
• Own documentation required to successfully manufacture aircraft hardware at scale, including work instructions, inspection plans and requirements, MBOMs, and process documentation.
• Drive production readiness activities — process capability assessments, tooling readiness, MBOM maturity, and rate-readiness planning.
• Lead the selection, installation, and commissioning of new manufacturing equipment, tooling, and processes, ensuring optimal integration into the production line.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that result in cost reduction, quality enhancement, and throughput maximization across the program.
• Manage budgets and forecast future manufacturing needs across personnel, equipment, tooling, and materials.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams — program management, supply chain, operations, quality, and leadership — to drive production readiness and successful program execution.
• Serve as the technical expert and point of contact for manufacturing engineering issues on the program, providing guidance and support to resolve complex problems.
• Analyze production metrics and performance data to identify trends and opportunities for improvement.
• Interface with external customers in communicating the manufacturing strategy and plans for building the aircraft from development to full-rate production.
• Foster a culture of innovation, teamwork, and accountability within the manufacturing engineering organization.
• Ensure compliance with all safety, quality, and regulatory requirements within the manufacturing process.

Skills

Aircraft manufacturing

Lean manufacturing

Six Sigma

CAD software

Education

Master's degree in engineering, business, or related field

Tools

CATIA

SolidWorks

NX

Teamcenter

SAP

Oracle

Job description

Anduril Industries in Costa Mesa, CA, seeks a Manufacturing Engineering Manager to build and lead a new autonomous aircraft program. You will hire, structure, and guide a hands-on team, shaping strategy and delivering manufacturing readiness from prototyping to full-rate production.

As a working manager, you will own key process documentation, drive continuous improvement, and collaborate across program management, supply chain, and quality. A security clearance is preferred.