Staff Manufacturing Engineer

InvestedintheMission; Crawford (MS); On-site; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

Dental and Vision plans

9/80 schedule

On-site snacks

Mentorship and growth opportunities

Job summary

Firehawk Aerospace is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer to advance, optimize, and support rocket motor manufacturing processes. You will partner with design, quality, and production teams to ensure safe, efficient, and scalable operations.

The role requires hands-on problem solving, deep knowledge of manufacturing engineering, and a commitment to continuous improvement. You will help implement advanced manufacturing technologies and drive KPIs for performance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in manufacturing, industrial, mechanical, or aerospace engineering, or related field.
• 8+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering, process development, or production support in aerospace/defense.
• Strong ownership mentality and ability to lead new product manufacturing design processes flow.
• Experience with manufacturing process documentation (work instructions, process flow diagrams, control plans).
• Strong understanding of lean, Six Sigma, and DFMA principles.
• Familiarity with 3D modeling software (PTC Creo/Windchill or equivalent).
• Proficiency with PLM/ERP/Costpoint-like systems.
• Strong problem-solving and root-cause analysis capabilities.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance.
• Willingness to travel up to 10%.

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize manufacturing processes for rocket motor systems.
• Collaborate with design teams to ensure manufacturability and provide DFMA feedback.
• Create and maintain work instructions, process docs, and manufacturing plans.
• Identify and implement process improvements for efficiency and quality.
• Set up LAT facility and support LAT activities to meet standards.
• Support tooling, fixtures, and equipment procurement and implementation.
• Lead root cause analyses and corrective actions.
• Develop validation and qualification plans for new processes, equipment, and materials.
• Collaborate with quality to ensure compliance with standards.
• Support automation and advanced manufacturing initiatives.
• Track KPIs like cycle time, scrap, and downtime; drive improvements.
• Support proposal development as needed.
• Ensure safety, environmental, and regulatory compliance.

Skills

Lean manufacturing

Six Sigma

DFMA

Root cause analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem solving

Leadership

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in manufacturing, Industrial, Mechanical, or Aerospace Engineering

Tools

PTC Creo/Windchill

Deltek Costpoints

ERP systems

PLM systems

Job description

Job Description

Firehawk Aerospace is pioneering the development of additively manufactured rocket propulsion systems, combining advanced manufacturing techniques with innovative engineering to deliver safer, more reliable, and cost-effective solutions for space exploration and defense.

Job Summary

As a Manufacturing Engineer at Firehawk Aerospace, you will play a critical role in developing, optimizing, and supporting manufacturing processes for our rocket motor systems. You will work closely with design, quality, and production teams to ensure efficient, high-quality, and scalable manufacturing operations. This position requires a hands‑on approach to problem‑solving, a strong understanding of manufacturing principles, and a commitment to continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and optimize integration and manufacturing processes for the production of rocket motor systems, ensuring efficiency, quality, and safety.
• Collaborate with design engineering teams to ensure manufacturability of integration of components and assemblies, providing Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFMA) feedback during the development phase.
• Create and maintain detailed work instructions, process documentation, and manufacturing plans to support production and hardware integration activities.
• Identify and implement process improvements to enhance overall production efficiency.
• Establish and equip a facility to perform Lot Acceptance Testing (LAT) and support ongoing LAT activities, ensuring compliance with quality and performance standards.
• Support the design, procurement, and implementation of manufacturing tools, fixtures, and equipment to meet production requirements.
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective action efforts for production issues
• Develop and execute validation and qualification plans for new processes, equipment, and materials.
• Collaborate with quality engineering to ensure compliance with industry standards, customer requirements, and internal quality systems.
• Support the implementation of automation and advanced manufacturing technologies, into manufacturing processes.
• Assist in generation of key performance indicators (KPIs) such as cycle time, scrap rates, and downtime, and develop strategies to improve performance.
• Support proposal development as required
• Ensure compliance with safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements in the manufacturing environment.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in manufacturing, Industrial, Mechanical, or Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
• 8+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering, process development, or production support in aerospace, defense, or a related industry.
• Strong ownership mentality and ability to lead new product manufacturing design processes flow
• Experience with manufacturing process documentation, including work instructions, process flow diagrams, and control plans.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing principles, including lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, and Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFMA).
• Familiarity with 3D modeling software (PTC Creo/Windchill or equivalent)
• Proficiency with Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems (Deltek Costpoint or equivalent).
• Strong problem‑solving skills and the ability to perform root cause analysis and implement corrective actions.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively in cross‑functional teams.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DOD issued security clearance
• Ability to travel (up to 10%)

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with process design optimization and capacity modeling
• Experience with automation and robotics in manufacturing processes.
• Experience with compression molding
• Working knowledge of Mil-Std-4145 (explosive safety)
• Experience in the manufacturing of rockets or weapon systems and components.
• Experience with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems for production planning and inventory management.
• Familiarity with additive manufacturing (3D printing) processes and their application in production environments.
• Knowledge of non‑destructive testing (NDT) methods and quality assurance practices.
• Experience transitioning products from development to production
• Certification in lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, or related methodologies.

Benefits

• Health Coverage: We offer 100% employer-paid medical premiums for employees and up to 75% coverage for dependents under select plans, with additional options for PPO and HDHP plans. Coverage begins the first of the month following your hire date.
• Dental and Vision Plans: Affordable dental and vision plans with extensive coverage options, including preventive care, orthodontics, and allowances for contacts and frames.
• Flexible Work Schedule: Enjoy a 9/80 schedule option, allowing for greater flexibility and work‑life balance.
• On‑Site Perks: Complimentary snacks and refreshments to keep you energized throughout the day.
• Professional Growth: Mentorship opportunities with industry‑leading engineers and engagement in cutting‑edge projects at the forefront of aerospace innovation.

Location and Schedule

• Crawford, MS
• Onsite
• Full Time

Firehawk Aerospace is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.