Senior Manufacturing Engineer

Apera; California (MO); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Apera is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer with a strong prototyping mindset to transform clean-sheet aircraft concepts into flight-ready prototypes while developing processes for scalable production. The role emphasizes prototype builds, EDUs, and technology demonstrators, collaborating closely with Design Engineering to turn evolving CAD into manufacturable hardware and to deliver first-of-kind vehicles.

You will drive DFMA, create tooling and instructions, and support rapid design iterations

Qualifications

• 5+ years of Manufacturing Engineering experience in aerospace or advanced vehicle development.
• Extensive experience with prototype manufacturing, EDUs, NPI, and first-of-kind vehicles.
• Experience transitioning from prototype to production and supporting complete vehicle assembly.

Responsibilities

• Lead manufacturing engineering activities for prototype and experimental aircraft builds.
• Develop assembly processes for complete aircraft including structural, systems, final assembly, and vehicle completion.
• Collaborate with Design Engineering to rapidly convert evolving CAD models into manufacturable hardware.
• Create manufacturing plans, build sequences, work instructions, tooling, and production documentation for first-of-kind aircraft.
• Support rapid design iterations by implementing engineering changes directly into prototype builds.
• Design and validate prototype tooling, fixtures, jigs, assembly aids, and production equipment.
• Troubleshoot build issues on the production floor and implement real-time manufacturing solutions.
• Support aircraft integration, ground testing, and first-flight readiness activities.
• Capture lessons learned and transition processes into scalable production methods.
• Drive DFMA initiatives balancing engineering intent with manufacturability, quality, and schedule.

Skills

Prototype manufacturing

NPI / first-of-kind vehicles

DFM / DFA

GD&T

Engineering development builds

CAD collaboration

Job description

Manufacturing Engineer – Experimental Aircraft | Prototype Development | NPI / NPD

We are looking for a Manufacturing Engineer with a strong prototyping mindset who thrives in fast-paced product development environments. This role is focused on transforming clean-sheet aircraft designs into flight-ready prototypes while developing the manufacturing processes that will ultimately enable production.

The ideal candidate has extensive experience supporting prototype builds, engineering development units (EDUs), technology demonstrators, and first-flight aircraft, with a proven ability to solve manufacturing challenges before production processes exist.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead manufacturing engineering activities for prototype and experimental aircraft builds.
• Develop assembly processes for complete aircraft, including structural assembly, systems integration, final assembly, and vehicle completion.
• Work alongside Design Engineering to rapidly convert evolving CAD models into manufacturable hardware.
• Develop manufacturing plans, build sequences, work instructions, tooling, and production documentation for first-of-kind aircraft.
• Support rapid design iterations by implementing engineering changes directly into prototype builds.
• Design and validate prototype tooling, fixtures, jigs, assembly aids, and production equipment.
• Troubleshoot build issues on the production floor and implement real-time manufacturing solutions.
• Support aircraft integration, ground testing, and first-flight readiness activities.
• Capture lessons learned from prototype builds and transition processes into scalable production methods.
• Drive DFM/DFA initiatives while balancing engineering intent with manufacturability, quality, and schedule.

Required Experience

• 5+ years of Manufacturing Engineering experience supporting aerospace or advanced vehicle development.
• Extensive experience with prototype manufacturing, engineering development builds, and New Product Introduction (NPI).
• Demonstrated success building first-of‑kind vehicles where manufacturing processes, tooling, and documentation were developed from scratch.
• Experience supporting complete vehicle or aircraft assembly rather than isolated components or subsystem manufacturing.
• Strong understanding of prototype manufacturing methodologies, rapid iteration, engineering change implementation, and build execution.
• Experience working directly with Design Engineering in highly iterative product development environments.
• Hands‑on experience solving manufacturing problems on the production floor with minimal process maturity.
• Strong knowledge of tooling design, assembly planning, GD&T, tolerance analysis, and production process development.

Preferred Experience

• Experimental aircraft, eVTOL, UAV, military aircraft, launch vehicles, motorsports, or other advanced prototype vehicle programs.
• Engineering Development Units (EDUs), qualification articles, and technology demonstrators.
• Prototype shop, skunkworks, advanced development, or innovation lab experience.
• Composite and metallic aircraft structures.
• Experience supporting transition from prototype through Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP).

Ideal Candidate

You are comfortable operating where requirements evolve daily and no manufacturing process exists yet. You enjoy building the first article, creating the manufacturing strategy from a clean sheet, solving problems in real time, and working side‑by‑side with design engineers and technicians to bring revolutionary aircraft from concept to first flight.