Senior Manufacturing Engineer

Winchester Interconnect; Garden Grove (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Winchester Interconnect is seeking a Senior Manufacturing & Process Engineer to bridge engineering operations and client stakeholders in a high-mix, aerospace manufacturing setting.

You will optimize processes to improve production efficiency, product quality, and cost savings while ensuring regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related technical discipline.
• U.S. Person (U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident) due to ITAR regulations.
• 7+ years of progressive process/manufacturing engineering experience in high-precision or regulated environments.
• Familiarity with cable assembly design, manufacturing, connector systems, and MIL-DTL specs is highly desired.
• Understanding of IPC/WHMA-A-620 and J-STD-001; IPC cert preferred.
• Strong track record in technical presentations and customer-facing design/production reviews.
• Six Sigma Green/Black Belt preferred; Lean manufacturing tools proficient.
• Experience with AS9100 and ISO9001 quality systems.
• Excellent technical writing; proficient in 2D/3D CAD and ERP/MRP; Syspro preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assess existing production processes, identify bottlenecks, reduce cycle times, and implement Lean/Six Sigma improvements.
• Serve as SME in customer meetings, design reviews, and engineering site visits.
• Collaborate with customer engineering on DFM and DFA for smooth NPI transitions.
• Lead troubleshooting for quality escapes using root cause analysis and CAPA actions.
• Create and improve SOPs, WIs, Process Specifications, and Control Plans in ERP systems.
• Lead PFMEA activities to proactively mitigate manufacturing risks.
• Ensure processes comply with MIL-DTL, IPC/WHMA-A-620, AS9100, and customer requirements.
• Mentor junior engineers and provide technical training.

Skills

Process engineering

Lean manufacturing

Six Sigma

DFM / DFA

Root cause analysis

Project leadership

CAD proficiency

IPC/AS9100 knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical/Manufacturing/Electrical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

AutoCAD

ERP/MRP systems (Syspro)

Job description

At Winchester Interconnect, we always do the right thing, the right way.

Winchester Interconnect is committed to inspiring the most innovative teams. We foster a dynamic, inclusive environment that thrives on collaboration and continuous growth. We hire exceptional people, celebrate wins, empower employee growth, and provide opportunities to thrive. Winchester is where potential transforms into purpose, and every team member plays a vital role in shaping our shared success.

Position Summary

As our Senior Manufacturing & Process Engineer, you will act as a pivotal bridge between our technical engineering operations and our key client stakeholders. You will be responsible for evaluating, optimizing, and scaling manufacturing processes to improve production efficiency, product quality, and cost savings in a high-mix, low-volume aerospace and defense manufacturing environment.

As a senior team member, you will leverage extensive process engineering expertise to solve complex technical challenges, establish rigorous process documentation, and lead customer-facing technical discussions to ensure production capabilities align seamlessly with customer specifications. You will play a vital role in ensuring that our products consistently meet the rigorous standards of the space, defense, and industrial markets we serve.

This position reports to the Engineering Manager.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Must be a U.S. Person (U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident) due to ITAR regulations.
• Minimum 7+ years of progressive experience in process or manufacturing engineering within a high-precision or regulated manufacturing environment (aerospace, defense, or space applications preferred).
• Familiarity with cable assembly design, manufacturing processes, connector systems, and testing protocols including MIL-DTL specifications is highly desired.
• Understanding of industry workmanship standards including IPC/WHMA-A-620 and J-STD-001; IPC certification is strongly preferred.
• Proven track record of leading technical presentations, managing client expectations, and handling customer-driven design and production reviews.
• Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification strongly preferred; demonstrated mastery of Lean Manufacturing tools (Kaizen, 5S, VSM, Poka-Yoke).
• Experience working under AS9100 and ISO9001 quality management systems.
• Exceptional technical writing skills; proficiency in 2D/3D CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, AutoCAD) and ERP/MRP systems; Syspro experience is a plus.
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills with the ability to convey complex engineering concepts across all levels of the organization, including customers and program teams.

Our core values - Accountability, Collaboration, and Empowerment (ACE)

You will take ownership of your contributions, collaborate with a team that gets stuff done, and be empowered to innovate and pursue bold initiatives that drive our business forward.

Are You Our Next ACE?

• Assess existing production processes, identify bottlenecks, reduce cycle times, eliminate waste, and implement Lean/Six Sigma continuous improvement initiatives across the facility.
• Serve as the primary technical subject matter expert (SME) during customer meetings, design reviews, technical audits, and engineering site visits.
• Collaborate directly with customer engineering teams on Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) feedback to ensure smooth transitions during the New Product Introduction (NPI) process.
• Lead complex troubleshooting for internal and external quality escapes, utilizing root cause analysis methods (5-Why, Fishbone, 8D, CAPA) to implement permanent and robust solutions in collaboration with the Quality team.
• Author, revise, and continuously improve robust process documentation, including Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Work Instructions (WIs), Manufacturing Process Specifications, and Control Plans within the ERP system.
• Lead and maintain Process Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (PFMEA) activities to proactively identify and mitigate manufacturing risks.
• Oversee process validation protocols and ensure all engineering processes and documentation comply with applicable industry standards including MIL-DTL, IPC/WHMA-A-620, AS9100, and customer-specific requirements.
• Mentor and develop junior engineers and manufacturing engineers, elevating the technical capability of the team through hands‑on coaching and knowledge sharing.
• Support the commercial team by providing timely and accurate technical input, labor estimates, and process recommendations to improve quote quality and turnaround.
• Comply with all company policies and procedures.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Systems You’ll Use

• Google Workspace / SmartView / Salesforce
• ADP / Syspro / QMS / Planful / AwardCo

Pay Transparency

Winchester Interconnect Corporation is committed to pay transparency. The pay range for this position is $110,000 - $140,000 per year plus 10% AIP. Exact salary will be contingent upon your experience, education, skills, and any other factors Winchester Interconnect Corporation considers relevant to the hiring decision.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities. In addition to federal law requirements, Winchester Interconnect complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.

Winchester Interconnect expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status.