Manufacturing Engineer III-Composites

Firefly Aerospace; Town of Texas (WI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental and vision plans

Parental leave

Educational/relocation reimbursement

Flexible PTO options

Job summary

Firefly Aerospace in the Town of Texas is seeking a highly motivated Manufacturing Engineer to develop tooling and fixtures for aerospace composite programs. The role emphasizes continuous improvement, process optimization, and technical expertise in manufacturing.

The ideal candidate will have 10 years of experience in carbon fiber aerospace manufacturing and proficiency in CAD software. Firefly offers generous health and dental benefits, along with flexible PTO options.

Qualifications

• 10 years’ experience in carbon fiber composite aerospace manufacturing.
• Strong technical aptitude and ability to quickly become an expert on complex hardware.
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical abilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and development of tooling and fixtures for aerospace components.
• Continuously evaluate and enhance manufacturing processes.
• Develop and implement innovative solutions to enhance manufacturing efficiency.

Skills

Carbon fiber composite aerospace manufacturing

Problem solving

CAD software proficiency

Lean and Six Sigma principles

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or related field

Master’s degree

Tools

Automated Fiber Placement experience

Job description

We are seeking a highly motivated and dedicated Manufacturing Engineer to join our Structures Department. As part of a small, fast‑paced, and passionate team you will be instrumental developing the world’s largest liquid‑fueled composite rocket and implementing full‑rate production on our current vehicle and programs.

You will be responsible for developing tooling and fixtures for development programs as well as production programs, driving continuous improvement initiatives, optimizing processes, developing brand new processes, and providing technical expertise to enhance our production capabilities. This role will give you a wide variety of opportunities. This position requires a strong background in engineering, extensive experience with practical problem solving and the ability to learn quickly.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead the design and development of tooling, fixtures, and production equipment necessary for the manufacturing of aerospace composite components. This includes selecting appropriate materials and manufacturing processes to meet specific aerospace industry standards.
• Continuously evaluate and enhance manufacturing processes, tooling, and fixtures to optimize efficiency, quality, and cost-effectiveness. Implement improvements to increase production capacity and reduce cycle times.
• Take ownership of hardware development and production processes, ensuring adherence to schedules and driving continuous improvements.
• Develop and implement innovative solutions for tooling and fixturing to enhance manufacturing efficiency and quality.
• Act as the primary point of contact for all aspects related to part expertise, including understanding intricacies of the hardware and providing guidance on its fabrication.
• Support manufacturing floor operations by actively engaging with production teams to identify areas for improvement and to implement necessary changes.
• Create detailed work instructions and procedures to standardize manufacturing processes and ensure consistency in product quality.
• Lead the resolution of nonconformance issues by assessing root causes and implementing corrective actions to bring parts back into compliance.
• Demonstrate exceptional problem‑solving skills and a proactive approach to addressing challenges in a fast‑paced environment.
• Work closely with cross‑functional teams, including design, manufacturing, and quality, to ensure the seamless integration into the production process.
• Manage and oversee manufacturing programs, ensuring they meet quality, cost, and schedule requirements.
• Identify and address production challenges, implementing effective solutions to ensure the timely delivery of high‑quality aerospace components.
• Implement and maintain rigorous quality control measures to meet industry standards and customer expectations.
• Identify cost‑saving opportunities and participate in cost reduction initiatives while maintaining product integrity.
• Champion a culture of continuous improvement, driving Lean and Six Sigma principles throughout the manufacturing process.
• Mentor less experienced engineers.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or a related engineering field.
• 10 years’ experience in carbon fiber composite aerospace manufacturing.
• Strong technical aptitude and ability to quickly become an expert on complex hardware.
• Proficiency in CAD software for developing tooling and fixturing designs.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to collaborate effectively with cross‑functional teams.
• Demonstrated track record of driving process improvements and delivering results in a fast‑paced environment.
• High level of initiative, self‑motivation, and ability to thrive in a dynamic and challenging work environment.
• Excellent problem‑solving and analytical abilities.
• 5+ years working in an aerospace manufacturing or engineering environment with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical, aerospace, or similar area.
• Master’s degree is a plus.
• Automated Fiber Placement experience.
• Quick‑turn custom composite tooling design and fabrication.
• Six Sigma or Lean manufacturing Black Belt certification.

Firefly offers outstanding benefits for our employees, including generous health, dental and vision plans with low plan deductibles, parental leave, educational/relocation reimbursement, short‑term disability, and flexible PTO options.

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Firefly Aerospace, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Firefly is governed based on merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.