Senior Manufacturing Engineer- Space & Launch

Karman Space & Defense; Mukilteo (WA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 155,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

Health Savings Account (HSA) with from

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)

Company-paid life and AD&D insurance

Short- and long-term disability

Job summary

Karman Space & Defense is seeking a Senior Manufacturing Engineer to lead manufacturing engineering activities across the product lifecycle in Mukilteo, WA. You will drive design-for-manufacturability, oversee process qualification, and mentor junior engineers to ensure producibility and robust processes from development to production.

Responsibilities include leading DFMA efforts, applying manufacturing best practices, planning resources and production lines, and supporting ERP-based processes.

Qualifications

• BS in manufacturing or mechanical engineering or related field.
• Minimum of six years of relevant industry experience.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and hands-on engineering experience in fabrication and assembly environments.
• Ability to read and generate blueprints, drawings, and technical diagrams.
• Familiarity with material properties, in-process verification, and validation.
• Proficiency in Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T).

Responsibilities

• Performs duties of Manufacturing Engineering I, II, and III roles as needed.
• Leads Design for Manufacturability and Assembly (DFMA) efforts during product design.
• Applies broad knowledge of manufacturing principles and best practices.
• Mentors junior manufacturing engineers.
• Serves as a subject matter expert on DFMA and statistical process control for monitoring process robustness.
• Oversees material and resource planning and coordination to meet schedules.
• Leads manufacturing workflow planning, resource planning, and production line capacity efforts aligned with forecasts.
• Solves complex technical problems to ensure timely design, development, and production progress.
• Supports development and validation of internal processes, including enterprise resource planning (ERP) system use.
• Experience supporting manufacturing engineering in aerospace or complex production environments.

Skills

Manufacturing engineering

DFMA

GD&T

Blueprint reading

ERP systems

Education

Bachelor of Science in manufacturing or mechanical engineering

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Senior Manufacturing Engineer- Space & Launch

Program Management Full Time Professional Mukilteo, WA, US

2 days ago Requisition ID: 4211

Salary Range: $110,000.00 To $155,000.00 Annually

Karman Space & Defense is a leader in the rapid design, development, and production of critical, next-generation system solutions that align with the U.S. Department of War and its allies’ core mission priorities, and meet the accelerating demand for access to space. Building on nearly 50 years of success, we deliver Payload & Protection Systems, Aero/Hydrodynamic Interstage Systems, and Propulsion & Launch Systems to more than 80 prime contractors supporting over 130 space and defense programs.

This role is part of our Space and Launch business, which has contributed to the nation’s space programs for decades by delivering complete solutions from concept to flight. We enable successful space operations with mission‑critical technology supporting every step from first launch to final landing, including launch vehicle subsystems, propulsion systems, aerodynamic and interstage systems, and payload protection and deployment. Our high‑performance solutions are engineered to operate in the most extreme environments and meet precise mission requirements.

In this role, you will lead manufacturing engineering activities throughout the product lifecycle, ensuring that designs are producible, processes are robust, and quality is built in from development through production. You will drive design‑for‑manufacturability efforts, oversee process qualification, and support continuous improvement while mentoring junior engineers and guiding teams through technical challenges. You will also support planning, resource coordination, and workflow development in partnership with engineering, production, and integrated product teams.

Responsibilities

• Performs duties of Manufacturing Engineering I, II, and III roles as needed.
• Leads Design for Manufacturability and Assembly (DFMA) efforts during product design.
• Applies broad knowledge of manufacturing principles and best practices.
• Mentors junior manufacturing engineers.
• Serves as a subject matter expert on DFMA and statistical process control for monitoring process robustness.
• Oversees material and resource planning and coordination to meet schedules.
• Leads manufacturing workflow planning, resource planning, and production line capacity efforts aligned with forecasts.
• Solves complex technical problems to ensure timely design, development, and production progress.
• Supports development and validation of internal processes, including enterprise resource planning (ERP) system use.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in manufacturing engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of six years of relevant industry experience.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and hands‑on engineering experience in fabrication and assembly environments.
• Ability to read and generate blueprints, drawings, and technical diagrams.
• Familiarity with material properties, in‑process verification, and validation.
• Proficiency in Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting manufacturing engineering in aerospace or complex production environments.

This position requires U.S. person status under U.S. export control laws, including U.S. citizens and nationals, lawful permanent residents, refugees, and asylees.

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off
• Health Savings Account (HSA) with company contribution
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Company‑paid life and AD&D insurance
• Short‑and‑long‑term disability coverage

Karman Space and Defense is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.