Sr. Engineering Manager

Howmet; Fullerton (CA); On-site; USD 170,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401k matching

Paid holidays

Vacation

Parental leave

Life insurance

Tuition assistance

EAP

Job summary

Howmet Aerospace is seeking a Senior Engineering Manager in Fullerton, CA to lead the engineering organization, drive a customer-focused culture, and partner with cross-functional teams to meet safety, quality, delivery, and cost objectives.

The role develops engineering strategies to improve product quality, manufacturing capability, and reliability, mentors engineering leaders, and champions continuous improvement and innovation across the site.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or a related technical field from an accredited institution.
• Minimum of 8–10 years of engineering experience with progressive leadership responsibility in manufacturing.
• Demonstrated experience leading engineering teams and driving operational improvements in manufacturing.
• Aerospace manufacturing experience strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the engineering organization, ensuring strong technical capability and professional growth.
• Drive a customer-focused engineering culture aligning manufacturing with customer expectations.
• Provide strategic leadership for safety, quality, delivery, cost, and operational excellence initiatives.
• Partner with Operations, Quality, EHS, and cross-functional teams to improve manufacturing performance.
• Lead engineering problem-solving using structured methodologies (root cause analysis, Lean, DOE).
• Champion continuous improvement to enhance productivity and reliability.
• Oversee capital planning, justification, and execution for capacity expansion and modernization.
• Manage and prioritize engineering projects to meet timelines and budget constraints.

Skills

Leadership

Problem-solving

Cross-functional collaboration

Strategic thinking

Communication

Data interpretation

Continuous improvement

Project management

Engineering drawings/CAD/GD&T

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Tools

CAD models

GD&T

MS Office

Job description

Job Information

• Job Identification: 119680
• Job Category: Engineering
• Posting Date: 10/19/2026, 11:30 PM
• Locations: 800 S State College, Fullerton, CA, 92831, US (On-site)
• Job Schedule: Full time
• Export-Controlled Data: This position entails access to export-controlled items and employment offers are conditioned upon an applicant's ability to lawfully obtain access to such items
• Currency Code: US Dollar
• Minimum Pay: 170k
• Maximum Pay: 210k

Responsibilities

Howmet Fastening Systems (HFS) is seeking a Senior Engineering Manager in our Fullerton, CA location.

Summary: Under the direction of the Site Director of Operations, the Senior Engineering Manager is responsible for leading the engineering function to support the achievement of Fullerton Operations' strategic and operational objectives. This role provides leadership to the engineering organization, driving a strong customer-focused mindset, operational excellence, continuous improvement, and advanced problem-solving capabilities across the engineering team.

The Senior Engineering Manager is accountable for developing engineering strategies that improve product quality, manufacturing capability, productivity, and reliability while supporting customer expectations and business growth. This position plays a key role in mentoring and developing engineering leaders and team members, strengthening technical expertise, and fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, and collaboration.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and develop the engineering organization, including engineering managers and technical staff, ensuring strong technical capability, accountability, and professional growth.
• Drive a customer-focused engineering culture that aligns manufacturing capabilities with internal and external customer expectations.
• Provide strategic leadership for engineering initiatives supporting safety, quality, delivery, cost, and operational excellence objectives.
• Partner with Operations, Quality, EHS, and other cross-functional teams to improve manufacturing performance and support production goals.
• Lead engineering problem-solving efforts using structured methodologies such as root cause analysis, Lean manufacturing tools, and Design of Experiments (DOE).
• Champion continuous improvement initiatives to enhance productivity, equipment reliability, manufacturing capability, and cost efficiency.
• Oversee capital planning, justification, and execution to support capacity expansion, process improvements, and modernization of manufacturing technologies.
• Manage and prioritize engineering projects, ensuring alignment with site objectives, timelines, and budget constraints.
• Integrate new manufacturing technologies and capital equipment to support operational performance and long‑term strategic growth.
• Oversees and manages the planning, purchasing and execution of the capital expenditures process.
• Promote a culture of safety, accountability, and operational discipline to support an incident‑free workplace.
• Mentor and develop engineering managers and engineers to strengthen leadership capability, technical expertise, and problem‑solving mindset.
• Ensure engineering processes support customer requirements, regulatory standards, and aerospace industry specifications.
• Communicate effectively with senior leadership and key stakeholders regarding engineering performance, project status, and strategic initiatives.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills/Knowledge:

• Strong leadership capability with demonstrated experience mentoring and developing engineering leaders and technical teams.
• Advanced problem‑solving skills using structured methodologies.
• Ability to lead cross‑functional initiatives that drive operational improvements in safety, quality, delivery, and cost.
• Strong strategic thinking with the ability to translate business objectives into engineering execution.
• Strong communication and influence skills to effectively engage with senior leadership, cross‑functional teams, and external stakeholders.
• Ability to analyze and interpret technical, operational, and regulatory information and translate it into actionable strategies.
• Demonstrated experience leading continuous improvement initiatives that generate measurable operational results.
• Strong project management capability with experience managing capital projects and engineering initiatives in a manufacturing environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools (Excel, PowerPoint, Word).
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, CAD models, GD&T, and aerospace manufacturing specifications.
• Strong understanding of aerospace manufacturing processes such as stamping, heading, machining, grinding, heat treatment, coatings, and secondary operations.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Provides leadership and direction to the engineering organization, including engineering managers, engineers, and technical staff.

Responsibilities include:

• Build, developing, and mentoring high‑performing engineering teams.
• Establishing clear performance expectations and accountability.
• Leading talent development, succession planning, and leadership growth within the engineering function.
• Managing performance evaluations, coaching, and development planning.
• Supporting recruitment and onboarding of engineering talent.
• Addressing employee relations issues and resolving operational challenges.
• Ensuring engineering activities align with company policies, regulatory requirements, and operational priorities.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or a related technical field from an accredited institution.
• Minimum of 8-10 years of engineering experience, including progressive leadership responsibility in manufacturing environments.
• Demonstrated experience leading engineering teams and driving operational improvements in manufacturing.

Physical Demands:

• Must be able to lift/move 30 lbs. (may not exceed per EHS policies).
• Must be able to stand for long periods of time.

Preferred Qualifications

• Aerospace manufacturing experience strongly preferred.
• Experience in aerospace fasteners manufacturing environments.
• Experience leading capital investment projects and manufacturing modernization initiatives.
• Advanced certifications in Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or related operational excellence methodologies are a plus.

Benefits/Salary:

The position includes competitive wages and a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance (medical, dental, vision), excellent 401k matching program, paid holidays and vacation. Howmet Aerospace curates a strong working environment through opportunities for career progression, community engagement activities, and flexible schedules contingent upon role and location. This position is offering a range from $170k to $210k.

About Us

Compensation and Benefits:

If a pay range is identified for this job, it is based on a good faith estimate at the time of this posting. Actual compensation is subject to variation due to factors such as education, experience, skillset, market/business considerations, and/or location.

Howmet Aerospace offers a competitive benefits package to support the health, financial well‑being, and professional growth of our employees. Benefits include:

• Comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and vision benefits coverage, including FSA and HSA account options.
• Pre‑tax and Roth 401(k) retirement savings plans offering employer matching funds and a separate employer retirement contribution.
• Paid holidays and vacation time (eligibility, accrual, and usage are discretionary and governed by applicable policies).
• Paid parental leave and adoption assistance programs.
• Life insurance and disability coverage plans.
• Optional coverage plans for auto, home, legal, identity theft, and pet insurance.
• Tuition Assistance Program and ongoing professional development opportunities.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

Our Story:

Howmet Aerospace Inc. (NYSE: HWM), headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a leading global provider of advanced engineered solutions for the aerospace and transportation industries. Our primary businesses focus on jet engine components, aerospace fastening systems, titanium structural parts and forged wheels. With $8.3 Billion in revenue in 2025, our products play a crucial role in enabling fuel efficiency and lightweighting, contributing to our customers' success and making a positive impact on the world. To learn more about the way Howmet Aerospace Inc. is advancing the sustainability of our customers, markets, and communities where we operate, review the 2025 Environmental Social and Governance report at www.howmet.com/esg-report. Follow: LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Howmet is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

If you need assistance to complete your application due to a disability, please email: [e-mail]

About the Team

Howmet Fastening Systems (HFS) is a business unit of Howmet Aerospace, headquartered in Torrance, California. We hold the number one global position in aerospace fastening systems, and we're the North American leader in commercial transportation fasteners. Our high‑tech, multi‑material fastening systems are found nose to tail on aircraft and aerospace engines. Our products are also critical components of industrial gas turbines, automobiles, commercial transportation vehicles, and construction and industrial equipment.