SR. MANUFACTURING ENGINEER

Diamond Antenna and Microwave Corporation; Littleton (MA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company specializing in aerospace and defense applications is seeking a highly experienced Senior Manufacturing Engineer. This role involves optimizing manufacturing processes for RF rotary joints and collaborating with various engineering teams. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in RF specifications and mechanical tolerances. Excellent problem-solving skills and a commitment to quality are essential, along with the ability to lead continuous improvement initiatives.

Qualifications

• 7 years of manufacturing engineering experience required.
• At least 2 years focused on precision RF/mechanical assemblies in aerospace or defense.
• U.S. Citizenship due to ITAR requirements.

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize manufacturing processes for RF rotary joints.
• Collaboration with design and engineering teams for manufacturability.
• Implement process controls and quality standards.

Skills

RF specifications

CAD

root cause analysis

Lean Six Sigma

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering

Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering

Tools

VNA

spectrum analyzers

SolidWorks

Job description

Description

Position Summary:

We are seeking a highly experienced Senior Manufacturing Engineer with specialized expertise in the production of RF rotary joints for aerospace and defense applications. The ideal candidate will lead the development and optimization of manufacturing processes for precision rotary joint assemblies used in radar systems, satellite communication, and electronic warfare platforms. This role requires deep understanding of RF performance considerations, mechanical tolerances, and process control in high-reliability, mission-critical products.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and optimize end-to-end manufacturing processes for RF rotary joints, including precision machining, plating, assembly, and RF performance validation.
• Collaborate with design and RF engineering teams to ensure manufacturability of new rotary joint designs and support Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and Design for Testability (DFT) efforts.
• Define and implement process controls and quality standards specific to rotary joint alignment, VSWR minimization, insertion loss, and signal integrity.
• Specify custom tooling, assembly fixtures, and automated solutions for high-precision mechanical and RF alignment tasks.
• Troubleshoot mechanical and RF-related manufacturing issues including contact resistance, axial/radial runout, and wear/lubrication failures.
• Lead root cause analysis (RCA) and corrective/preventive actions (CAPA) for internal and field quality issues.
• Support cleanroom and ESD-safe environments as necessary during subassembly and final integration.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives using Lean, Six Sigma, and 5S principles to increase yield and reduce scrap/rework.
• Collaborate with RF design engineering to ensure production testing correlates with customer specifications and performance criteria.
• Maintain documentation including process flow diagrams, work instructions, routers per AS9100/ISO standards.

Requirements

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of manufacturing engineering experience, with at least 2 years focused on precision RF/mechanical assemblies in aerospace or defense.
• Strong understanding of RF specifications, including insertion loss, VSWR, phase stability, and isolation.
• Proficient in CAD (SolidWorks preferred) and able to interpret GD&T and tolerance stack-up for rotating components.
• Familiarity with RF testing equipment (e.g., VNA, spectrum analyzers) and performance evaluation in a manufacturing environment.
• Familiarity with MIL-STD and AS9100 quality systems and ITAR regulations.
• Demonstrated experience with root cause analysis tools.
• U.S. Citizenship required (due to ITAR and DoD contract requirements).

Preferred Experience:

• Hands-on experience manufacturing waveguide rotary joints, coaxial rotary joints, or multi-channel RF/microwave assemblies.
• Knowledge of materials used in high-frequency and high-cycle applications (e.g., PTFE, beryllium copper, RF-compatible lubricants).
• Experience with hermetic sealing, environmental testing (e.g., thermal cycling, vibration), and ruggedized component design.
• Lean Six Sigma Green or Black Belt certification.
• Experience supporting satellite, radar, or maritime/airborne communication systems.

Work Environment & Physical Demands:

• Split between office and manufacturing floor (including cleanroom or controlled environments).
• Use of microscopes, calipers, torque tools, and RF diagnostic equipment.
• Occasional travel to suppliers, customers, or other company locations may be required.

Diamond Antenna & Microwave is an Equal Opportunity-Affirmative Action Employer – Minority / Female / Disability / Veteran / Gender Identity / Sexual Orientation / Age