Senior Manufacturing Engineer

Fruition Group; California (MO); On-site; USD 85,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Fruition Group in the United States seeks a Manufacturing Engineer to develop and optimize manufacturing processes for highly engineered aerospace hardware, translating designs into repeatable production on the shop floor.

You will work with design, quality, supply chain, and operations to enable DFM/DFA, build robust tooling, and apply Lean methods to improve quality, throughput, and ramp from prototype to full-rate production.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical, Aerospace, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• 5+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering within a complex hardware environment.
• Experience developing manufacturing processes, work instructions, production documentation, and manufacturing routings.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain manufacturing processes, routings, work instructions, and standard operating procedures from prototype builds through full-rate production.
• Translate engineering drawings, CAD models, BOMs, and technical specifications into detailed manufacturing plans, including operation sequencing, tooling requirements, inspection points, and process controls.
• Support prototype builds, engineering validation, production readiness, and manufacturing ramp activities.
• Troubleshoot production issues, resolve manufacturing bottlenecks, and drive timely corrective actions to improve build quality and throughput.
• Partner with Design Engineering to provide Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) feedback that improves manufacturability, repeatability, and production efficiency.
• Work closely with Quality Engineering to define inspection methods, acceptance criteria, traceability requirements, and manufacturing controls.
• Develop tooling, fixtures, production aids, and equipment strategies that support scalable manufacturing.
• Analyze production data and apply Lean manufacturing principles, root cause analysis, and continuous improvement methodologies to improve quality, reduce cycle time, and increase throughput.
• Train technicians and production personnel on manufacturing processes, documentation, tooling, and best practices.
• Collaborate across engineering, operations, and supply chain teams to ensure successful execution of new product introductions and production launches.

Skills

Problem-solving

Communication

Hands-on

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering

Tools

CAD software

ERP

PLM

MES

Job description

We're building the next generation of aerospace propulsion technology, developing breakthrough systems that will redefine how aircraft operate in the future. Our team brings together experts in aerospace, mechanical engineering, manufacturing, and advanced hardware to solve some of the industry's most challenging engineering problems.

Operating in a fast-paced, product-focused environment, we're taking cutting-edge technology from concept through prototype and into scalable production. If you're excited about working on complex hardware, collaborating with world-class engineers, and helping build the future of aerospace, we'd love to hear from you.

The Opportunity

We're looking for a Manufacturing Engineer to help develop and optimize the manufacturing processes used to build highly engineered aerospace hardware safely, efficiently, and repeatedly.

Working closely with Design Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Production, and Operations, you'll translate engineering designs into practical manufacturing methods while supporting the transition from prototype development through production. This is a highly hands-on role for someone who enjoys working on the production floor, solving technical challenges, and building robust manufacturing systems in a fast-moving environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain manufacturing processes, routings, work instructions, and standard operating procedures from prototype builds through full-rate production.
• Translate engineering drawings, CAD models, BOMs, and technical specifications into detailed manufacturing plans, including operation sequencing, tooling requirements, inspection points, and process controls.
• Support prototype builds, engineering validation, production readiness, and manufacturing ramp activities.
• Troubleshoot production issues, resolve manufacturing bottlenecks, and drive timely corrective actions to improve build quality and throughput.
• Partner with Design Engineering to provide Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) feedback that improves manufacturability, repeatability, and production efficiency.
• Work closely with Quality Engineering to define inspection methods, acceptance criteria, traceability requirements, and manufacturing controls.
• Develop tooling, fixtures, production aids, and equipment strategies that support scalable manufacturing.
• Analyze production data and apply Lean manufacturing principles, root cause analysis, and continuous improvement methodologies to improve quality, reduce cycle time, and increase throughput.
• Train technicians and production personnel on manufacturing processes, documentation, tooling, and best practices.
• Collaborate across engineering, operations, and supply chain teams to ensure successful execution of new product introductions and production launches.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• 5+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering within a complex hardware environment.
• Experience developing manufacturing processes, work instructions, production documentation, and manufacturing routings.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, GD&T, BOMs, specifications, and quality requirements.
• Strong understanding of Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) principles.
• Comfortable working directly with technicians, operators, engineers, and cross-functional teams in a production environment.
• Excellent troubleshooting and problem-solving skills with a hands-on approach to manufacturing challenges.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to drive issues through to resolution.

Preferred Experience

• Experience manufacturing aerospace, propulsion, electric powertrain, or other highly engineered electromechanical hardware.
• Experience designing production tooling, fixtures, templates, or assembly aids using CAD.
• Familiarity with ERP, PLM, MES, or other manufacturing execution systems.
• Experience supporting new product introduction (NPI), prototype development, production readiness, and manufacturing scale-up.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, PFMEA, control plans, process validation, and structured root cause analysis.
• Experience with factory layout planning, equipment implementation, capacity planning, or line balancing in a production environment.