Senior Specialist, Manufacturing Engineer- Composites

L3Harris Technologies; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

L3Harris Technologies in Huntsville, AL seeks a Senior Specialist, Manufacturing Engineer to lead advanced fabrication and assembly of aerospace hardware at AMF-South. You will manage cross-functional projects, drive process improvements, and ensure compliance with industry standards while supporting secure operations.

The role requires a strong manufacturing engineering background, project leadership, and the ability to obtain US Secret Security Clearance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent with manufacturing engineering experience.
• Ability to obtain US Secret Security Clearance.
• Strong project leadership and process-improvement background.

Responsibilities

• Manages large, complex manufacturing projects with cross-functional teams.
• Leads process development and optimization for composite fabrication and assembly.
• Drives improvements in workflows, tools, and production concepts.
• Communicates with engineering, operations, suppliers and leadership to adopt changes.
• Performs root cause analysis and implements corrective/preventive actions.
• Develops operational plans for the manufacturing engineering function.

Skills

Project management

Cross-functional teams

Root cause analysis

GD&T

CAD modeling

Process optimization

Manufacturing engineering

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Manufacturing Engineering

Graduate Degree in related field

10+ years experience in lieu of degree

Tools

CNC machines

Autoclaves

Composite cure ovens

Robotic systems

Tape wrap lathes

Winders

CAD software

Presses

Job description

L3Harris is dedicated to recruiting and developing high-performing talent who are passionate about what they do. Our employees are unified in a shared dedication to our customers’ mission and quest for professional growth. L3Harris provides an inclusive, engaging environment designed to empower employees and promote work-life success. Fundamental to our culture is an unwavering focus on values, dedication to our communities, and commitment to excellence in everything we do.

L3Harris is the Trusted Disruptor in defense tech. With customers’ mission-critical needs always in mind, our employees deliver end-to-end technology solutions connecting the space, air, land, sea and cyber domains in the interest of national security.

Job Title: Senior Specialist, Manufacturing Engineer
Job Code: 44009
Job Location: Huntsville, AL-AMF South
Job Schedule: 4/10: Employees work 10 hour days, 4 days a week 1st shift

Job Description

We are seeking a Sr Specialist, Manufacturing Engineer to work at our new state-of-the-art Advanced Manufacturing Facility (AMF-South) in Huntsville, AL, which will be our inert manufacturing facility for fabrication and assembly of composite rocket motor hardware.

The Manufacturing Engineer is a senior professional with strong knowledge of job area and broad knowledge of project management. Manages complex projects or processes with general oversight. Communicates within and outside of own function to gain cooperation on operational processes, practices, and procedures. Makes moderate to substantial improvements to systems and processes. Contributes to achievement of departmental goals and operating plans with direct impact on the departmental results.

This is a dynamic team that requires motivated, self-starting individuals with hands-on experience. Manufacturing Engineers lead process management activities and create associated documentation for their assigned processes. They must be able to follow company procedures and requirements for the manufacture of advanced, man-rated, and high-value aerospace hardware.

Essential Functions

• Manages large, complex, and high-visibility manufacturing projects with minimal oversight, often involving cross-functional teams and tight customer or program constraints.
• Leads process development, optimization, and troubleshooting for advanced fabrication methods, composite layup, curing, machining, and assembly.
• Drives significant improvements in manufacturing systems, workflows, and technologies; may also contribute to the creation of new tools, fixtures, methods, or production concepts.
• Communicates effectively across engineering, operations, suppliers, customers, and leadership, influencing others to adopt new approaches and process changes.
• Performs complex root cause analysis, develops corrective/preventive actions, and implements robust long-term solutions involving multiple functional areas.
• Develops and executes operational plans for the manufacturing engineering function with short-term measurable impact on program and business performance.
• Provides guidance, coaching, and technical leadership to engineers and technicians across the company, supporting skill development within the manufacturing engineering discipline.
• Ensures compliance with industry standards, customer requirements, and internal quality systems; contributes to audit readiness and manufacturing risk reduction.
• Travel: 5% travel may be required to support suppliers or other manufacturing sites, however, in times of high demand, more travel may be necessary.
• Occasional off-shift work required to support manufacturing schedules.
• Ability to obtain US Secret Security Clearance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree with 6 years Manufacturing Engineering experience, Graduate Degree with 4 years Manufacturing Engineering experience. In lieu of a degree, minimum of 10 years of prior Manufacturing Engineering experience.

Preferred Additional Skills

• Surface preparation for bonding rubber, insulation, metallic, and composite substrates.
• Experience in composite tape wrapping, including process development and machine programming.
• Hand layup and cure of insulation and composite materials.
• Experience writing specifications and supporting procurement for new manufacturing equipment.
• Experience with composite rocket motor nozzle fabrication.
• Structural bonding of metallic and composite substrates.
• Programming, operation, and qualification of composite cure ovens and/or autoclaves.
• Precision assembly of aerospace hardware.
• Strong GD&T background supporting part validation and tooling/fixture development.
• CAD modeling experience.
• Experience with tape wrap lathes, robotic systems, presses, ovens, winders, CNC machines, cutting tables, and/or autoclaves.
• Strong cross-functional communication skills.
• Strong problem-solving and root cause analysis skills.
• Adaptable to a changing work environment.

L3Harris Technologies is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. L3Harris is committed to treating all employees and applicants for employment with respect and dignity and maintaining a workplace that is free from unlawful discrimination. All applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or other related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, characteristic or membership in any other group protected by federal, state or local laws. L3Harris maintains a drug-free workplace and performs pre-employment substance abuse testing and background checks, where permitted by law.

Please be aware many of our positions require the ability to obtain a security clearance. Security clearances may only be granted to U.S. citizens. In addition, applicants who accept a conditional offer of employment may be subject to government security investigation(s) and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.

By submitting your resume for this position, you understand and agree that L3Harris Technologies may share your resume, as well as any other related personal information or documentation you provide, with its subsidiaries and affiliated companies for the purpose of considering you for other available positions.

L3Harris Technologies is an E-Verify Employer.