Senior Turbojet Manufacturing Engineer - High-Temp

Frontdoor Defense; Torrance (CA); On-site; USD 111,000 - 177,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity plan

Discretionary bonus

Paid holidays

Professional development

Job summary

Divergent in Torrance, CA is seeking a Senior Manufacturing Engineer for Turbojet Engines. You will bridge design and production, ensuring manufacturability and guiding engine concepts from prototype to repeatable production.

Role levels may range from Engineer II to Senior Engineer based on experience, with leadership in cross-functional teams and a focus on high-temperature, high-rotation hardware and quality systems.

Qualifications

• Ability to lawfully access information and technology subject to US export controls.
• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Materials Engineering, or a related field.
• 2+ years (Engineer II) or 5+ years (Senior Engineer) of manufacturing engineering experience in aerospace or defense, with direct exposure to gas turbine engines, turbomachinery, or comparable high-temperature, high-speed rotating hardware.
• Hands-on experience with precision machining of difficult alloys (e.g., nickel superalloys such as Inconel 718, titanium, or stainless steels), including 5-axis machining.
• Proficiency in CAD (e.g., Siemens NX) and a strong command of GD&T, tolerance stack-ups, & inspection methods (CMM, optical, & surface metrology).
• Working knowledge of special processes such as heat treat, welding, coatings, & NDT (FPI, radiography, CT).
• Experience with MES, PLM, and ERP systems.
• Proven track record of taking complex hardware from concept through production in high-reliability applications.
• Experience with additive manufacturing of metal engine components (e.g., laser powder bed fusion), including post-processing and qualification.
• Experience with rotor balancing, turbine blade or vane manufacturing and/or engine assembly and test.
• Lean Six Sigma certification or equivalent continuous improvement expertise.
• Familiarity with AS9100, AS9102, and ISO 9001 quality systems.
• Experience with robotics or automation in machining, inspection, or assembly.

Responsibilities

• Own manufacturing end to end for turbojet development and production programs, from individual components through full engine build.
• Serve as technical lead for manufacturing processes across rotating hardware, hot-section components, static components, and final engine assembly.
• Develop, implement, and refine scalable processes for turbojet components, such as compressor and turbine wheels, blisks, shafts, casings, combustors, nozzles, and bearing housings.
• Drive improvements in yield, cycle time, and first-pass quality through data-driven continuous improvement.
• Establish and control special processes including heat treatment, welding and brazing, balancing, coatings, and nondestructive testing.
• Track emerging technologies in additive manufacturing, advanced machining, and high-temperature materials, and bring them in where they strengthen our product and cost position.
• Lead new engine designs through the factory, troubleshooting quickly and iterating to meet aggressive development timelines.
• Apply Design for Manufacturability early, working with design, materials, and test engineers to balance performance, cost, and producibility on tight-tolerance, high-temperature, high-rotational-speed hardware.
• Introduce new equipment, fixtures, tooling, and processes, with rigorous validation to support engine qualification.
• Support engine build, balancing, and test-cell readiness, and feed test findings back into design and process changes.
• Develop and maintain work instructions, process plans, routings, and first article inspection (AS9102) packages in compliance with AS9100.
• Ensure processes meet customer, regulatory, and internal quality system requirements, including special process controls (e.g., Nadcap) and material and process specifications.
• Lead nonconformance investigations, root cause analysis, and corrective action, including MRB dispositions on critical rotating and life-limited parts.
• Provide technical guidance to technicians, machinists, and production staff, fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and continuous learning.
• Lead cross-functional program teams.
• Support the Manufacturing Engineering Department Leadership in team growth and hiring.

Skills

Process optimization

DFM

Lean Six Sigma

Team leadership

Quality systems

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Related engineering field

Tools

Siemens NX

MES/PLM/ERP systems

Job description

Divergent in Torrance, CA is seeking a Senior Manufacturing Engineer for Turbojet Engines. You will bridge design and production, ensuring manufacturability and guiding engine concepts from prototype to repeatable production.

Role levels may range from Engineer II to Senior Engineer based on experience, with leadership in cross-functional teams and a focus on high-temperature, high-rotation hardware and quality systems.