Sr. Manufacturing Engineer

Empirical Systems Aerospace, Inc. (ESAero); San Luis Obispo (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and wellness plans

PTO 120 hours plus holidays off

Life Insurance $25,000

Job summary

Empirical Systems Aerospace, Inc. (ESAero) seeks a Senior Manufacturing Engineer to translate engineered designs into manufacturable assemblies, define work instructions, and optimize production processes for high-quality outputs.

You will join a small, capable team collaborating with design, procurement, QA, and assembly to improve efficiency and reliability. The role emphasizes DFMA input, assembly documentation, and training personnel to uphold safety and quality standards while scaling

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in manufacturing or mechanical engineering.
• 5–9 years of experience in manufacturing engineering.
• Hands-on experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Ability to extract manufacturing information from a computerized inventory control system.
• Experience supervising or overseeing less senior team members.
• Knowledge of transitioning prototypes into production builds.
• Ability to work in a small, effective manufacturing team.
• Skill in translating engineered designs into build instructions for assembly and test personnel.
• Knowledge of Lean principles.
• Ability to determine cost-effective and reliable assembly methods in an electronics environment.
• Establishing and maintaining assembly documentation.
• Ability to comprehend specification sheets.
• Familiarity with Windows-based PCs.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision.

Responsibilities

• Provide engineering support for the company's manufacturing operations.
• Develop and maintain assembly documentation to uphold high‑quality standards.
• Represent manufacturing interests as a member of the Integrated Product Team.
• Work with design engineers to partition new products into assemblies that can be built with minimal variation.
• Provide documented feedback for DFMA improvements, scalability, and new processes/technology.
• Ensure Design for Manufacture principles are applied in new product design.
• Define and design assembly fixturing to enhance build efficiency and quality.
• Perform root‑cause corrective actions based on NCR data and other process improvement needs.
• Qualify new suppliers in collaboration with procurement and quality assurance.
• Build prototype units with assembly, test, and engineering personnel and ensure documentation reflects the “as‑built” condition.
• Define and revise assembly BOMs and test routings for work orders.
• Act as an engineering interface to resolve manufacturing problems on the assembly floor.
• Train assembly personnel in proper use of tools, equipment, and assembly techniques.
• Implement improvements throughout the assembly process to reduce costs, variation, and improve reliability.
• Identify potential safety hazards and design processes and fixtures to minimize safety risks.

Skills

Lean principles

Manufacturing process optimization

Root-cause analysis

Team leadership

Documentation of assemblies

Ability to work with minimal supervis"

Electronics assembly knowledge

MRP/ERP familiarity

Education

Bachelor's degree in manufacturing or mechanical engineering

Tools

MRP/ERP systems

Job description

Job Summary

The Senior Manufacturing Engineer will provide critical engineering support to ensure efficient, high‑quality production of the company’s products. This role partners closely with design, procurement, quality assurance, and assembly teams to translate engineered designs into manufacturable assemblies, optimize production processes, and support new product development. The Engineer will define assembly documentation, establish work instructions, develop and improve manufacturing processes, and help train personnel to ensure consistent quality, safety, and efficiency.

Responsibilities

• Provide engineering support for the company's manufacturing operations.
• Develop and maintain assembly documentation to uphold high‑quality standards.
• Represent manufacturing interests as a member of the Integrated Product Team.
• Work with design engineers to partition new products into assemblies that can be built with minimal variation.
• Provide documented feedback for DFMA improvements, scalability, and new processes/technology.
• Ensure Design for Manufacture principles are applied in new product design.
• Define and design assembly fixturing to enhance build efficiency and quality.
• Perform root‑cause corrective actions based on NCR data and other process improvement needs.
• Qualify new suppliers in collaboration with procurement and quality assurance.
• Build prototype units with assembly, test, and engineering personnel and ensure documentation reflects the “as‑built” condition.
• Define and revise assembly BOMs and test routings for work orders.
• Act as an engineering interface to resolve manufacturing problems on the assembly floor.
• Train assembly personnel in proper use of tools, equipment, and assembly techniques.
• Implement improvements throughout the assembly process to reduce costs, variation, and improve reliability.
• Identify potential safety hazards and design processes and fixtures to minimize safety risks.

Required Qualifications and Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in manufacturing or mechanical engineering.
• 5‑9 years of experience in manufacturing engineering.
• Hands‑on experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Ability to extract manufacturing information from a computerized inventory control system.
• Experience overseeing or supervising less senior team members.
• Knowledge of transitioning prototypes into production builds.
• Ability to work in a small, effective manufacturing team.
• Skill in translating engineered designs into build instructions for assembly and test personnel.
• Knowledge of Lean principles.
• Ability to determine cost‑effective and reliable assembly methods in an electronics environment.
• Responsibility for establishing and maintaining assembly documentation.
• Ability to comprehend specification sheets.
• Familiarity with Windows‑based personal computers.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision.

Desired Qualifications and Skills

• Additional experience with new product development.
• Familiarity with electronics manufacturing.
• Experience with sheet metal fabrication, plastics, and printed circuit board manufacture.
• Knowledge of computerized MRP/ERP systems, inventory control methods, and production control techniques.
• Experience with supplier management and procurement (e.g., SOWs, RFPs, vendor management).

Benefits

• Health and wellness: three health, dental, and vision plans, including a 100% employer‑paid option for employees and families.
• Paid Time Off: 120 hours of PTO, 80 hours accrued plus an additional 40 hours of holiday break pay, plus holidays such as Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day off.
• Life Insurance: $25,000 employer‑paid life insurance policy, with optional additional coverage.
• Supplemental Coverage: optional benefits such as Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity, Accident Insurance, and Critical Illness with Skin Cancer coverage.
• Health Savings Account (HSA).
• 401(k) with company match.
• 9 paid holidays per year.
• Casual dress code, complimentary snacks, and a welcoming company culture.
• Work location: excellent quality of life in San Luis Obispo, CA.

Company Overview

Empirical Systems Aerospace, Inc. (ESAero) is a leader in aerospace engineering, product development, and manufacturing. Dedicated to delivering high‑quality, innovative, and cost‑effective solutions, ESAero specializes in cutting‑edge system design, rapid product development, precision manufacturing, comprehensive testing, and technology demonstrations to support the evolving needs of the aerospace community.

Location

This position is fully on‑site at ESAero in San Luis Obispo, CA.

ESAero is an equal opportunity employer.

E-Verify participation required for employment.

Must present proof of authorization to work in the United States.

Must be able to pass a background check and drug test.

Hiring Range: $110‑140k Salary/Exempt.