Sr. Manufacturing Engineer

TA Aerospace; California (MO); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

8 health plan options

Dental insurance

401(k) with employer match

Job summary

TA Aerospace in California seeks a Sr. Manufacturing Engineer responsible for developing and optimizing the company's manufacturing cost structure. This role requires collaboration across Engineering, Operations, and Finance, focusing on enhancing efficiency and quality in manufacturing processes.

A Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, or Industrial Engineering is essential, along with 5 to 10 years of industry experience. Benefits include comprehensive health plans and a 401(k) with employer match.

Qualifications

• 5 to 10 years of manufacturing engineering or operations analysis experience.
• Strong understanding of BOMs, routings, and labour standards.
• Proficiency in fixture design and automation project success.

Responsibilities

• Develop and standardize the manufacturing cost structure.
• Optimize manufacturing processes for efficiency and quality.
• Provide support for production operations and new program launches.

Skills

Analytical capability

Manufacturing processes understanding

Collaboration skills

Advanced analytical skills with Excel/Power BI

Solid Modelling skills (CATIA, AutoCAD, SolidWorks)

Lean and Six Sigma methodologies

Education

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical, Manufacturing or Industrial Engineering

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

Automation tools

Job description

Job Summary

The Sr. Manufacturing Engineer is responsible for developing, standardizing, and maintaining the company’s manufacturing cost structure. This role will lead the transformation from a tribal‑knowledge‑driven costing approach to a modern, data‑driven system that supports accurate quoting, pricing, margin analysis, and operational decision‑making. The engineer will also create documentation of part numbering linked to commonality and manufacturing requirements to improve traceability, planning, and manufacturability.

This position requires strong analytical capability, deep understanding of manufacturing processes, and the ability to collaborate across Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, and Finance.

Primary Responsibilities

• Using Design of Experience (DOE), or equivalent multi‑variable statical analysis to optimize molds.
• Develop and optimise manufacturing processes to improve efficiency, quality, and repeatability.
• Provide manufacturing engineering support for production operations and new program launches.
• Support new product introduction, process validation, and first article inspections.
• Design, implement, and support tooling, fixtures, production aids, and automated manufacturing systems.
• Lead project management for complex automation and capital projects, including requirements definition, vendor selection, cost justification, and implementation.
• Manage multiple projects and external vendors to ensure automation projects meet technical, schedule, and cost objectives.
• Define manufacturing process plans, routings, and BOM structures aligned with actual shop‑floor practices.
• Establish and validate labour standards, machine rates, set‑up times, and run times.
• Develop and maintain standardised, data‑driven manufacturing cost models across product families.
• Identify and analyse cost drivers for material, labour, overhead, scrap, yield, and automation ROI.
• Partner with Supply Chain to validate purchased part costs and supplier cost drivers.
• Partner with Finance to align cost models, capital investments, quoting, pricing, and margin requirements.
• Influence the design of injection moulding and tooling.
• Audit existing routings, costs, standards, and automation assumptions to eliminate inaccuracies and tribal knowledge.
• Lead root‑cause analysis and corrective/preventive actions for manufacturing and automation‑related issues.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives using Lean, Six Sigma, and data‑driven methods; provide technical support, training, and support special projects as needed.

Education / Previous Experience

• 5 to 10 years’ manufacturing engineering, or operations analysis (aerospace preferred).
• Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing or Industrial Engineering required
• Strong understanding of BOMs, routings, labour standards, and manufacturing workflows.
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems.
• Experience in fixture design and automation project success.
• Advanced analytical skills; proficiency with Excel, Power BI, or similar tools.
• Advanced skills in Solid Modelling (CATIA, AutoCAD, SolidWorks, or similar)
• Ability to lead cross‑functional initiatives and drive standardisation.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to translate technical details into clear business impact.

Preferred Qualifications

• Rubber and silicone experience preferred.
• Experience in aerospace manufacturing or highly regulated environments.
• Familiarity with AS9100 requirements.
• Lean or Six Sigma certification.

Benefits

Benefits include 8 health plan options, dental, life and supplemental insurance, and 401(k) with employer match.

Additional Requirements

This position requires use of information which is subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). All applicants must be U.S. persons within the meaning of ITAR. ITAR defines a US person as: any individual who is granted U.S. citizenship; or any individual who is granted U.S. permanent residence ("Green Card" holder); or any individual who is granted status as a "protected person" under 8 U.S.C.

Equal Opportunity Employer

TA Aerospace is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex including sexual orientation and gender identity, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.