Manufacturing Engineering Manager

Job Title:

Manufacturing Engineering Lead Job Description We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Manufacturing Engineering Lead to develop a high-performing engineering team. The ideal candidate will establish best practices and foster a culture of technical excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement. This role will drive process optimization across various manufacturing domains, influence product designs, and implement best-in-class manufacturing processes to ensure consistency and compliance with aerospace standards. Responsibilities Develop and lead a high-performing manufacturing engineering team, fostering a culture of technical excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement. Drive process optimization across all manufacturing domains, including composites, machining, welding, electrical, and assembly. Influence product designs through Design for Manufacturability (DFM) participation, improving manufacturability and optimizing material and process choices. Establish and implement best-in-class manufacturing processes, documentation, and training systems ensuring consistency, repeatability, and compliance with aerospace standards. Partner with program and production leadership to support program schedules, product quality, and cost targets. Implement modern manufacturing methodologies, including lean, digital manufacturing, and automation. Drive cost reduction initiatives by improving efficiency, reducing waste, and introducing practical manufacturing approaches. Ensure the manufacturing engineering function is accountable for production outcomes, measured in quality, throughput, and delivery performance. Collaborate with supply chain on material selection, sourcing strategies, and vendor qualification. Influence make vs buy evaluations to guide strategic sourcing, capacity planning, and internal capability development. Champion safety by embedding best practices in process design, tooling, and training. Essential Skills Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field. Proven leadership experience in manufacturing engineering with accountability for production outcomes in advanced manufacturing. 10+ years of manufacturing engineering experience, with at least 5 years in aerospace or similarly complex, regulated industries. Strong background in cost reduction, lean manufacturing, and modern production methods. Deep understanding of aerospace manufacturing processes, standards, and requirements. Strong communication and leadership skills with a track record of building and mentoring high-performing teams. Ability to influence design for manufacturability, driving solutions that simplify builds and improve scalability. Knowledge of AS9100 and aerospace manufacturing quality standards; familiarity with PPAP, FAI, and process validation methods. Proficiency with ERP/MRP or MES systems. Additional Skills & Qualifications Cross-industry perspective with the ability to apply lessons learned to aerospace manufacturing challenges. Extensive experience in manufacturing methods across composites, machining, fabrication, electrical systems, propulsion, welding/forming, and systems integration. Experience transitioning from prototype to production environments. Hands-on experience with tooling design, automation, and digital manufacturing systems. Experience in developing factory layouts and scaling production facilities. Experience applying lean principles, automation, and digital tools to improve throughput and reduce waste. Lean Six Sigma certification or equivalent continuous improvement expertise. Work Environment This role reports to the Director of Manufacturing, overseeing a total team size of 15-20, with 4 direct reports. The position requires onsite presence for more than 80% of the time, providing a hands-on leadership experience. Job Type & Location This is a Permanent position based out of Mojave, CA. Pay and Benefits The pay range for this position is $145000.00 - $230000.00/yr. Benefits and our location(s): 9/80 schedule Healthcare (medical, dental, vision, prescription drugs) Paid Maternity and Parental Leave 50% company match per contributed dollar into 401(k) savings plan, up to $11,500 Tuition reimbursement Workplace Type This is a fully onsite position in Mojave,CA. Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Mar 31, 2026. Diversity, Equity & Inclusion At Actalent, diversity and inclusion are a bridge towards the equity and success of our people. DE&I is embedded into our culture through: Hiring diverse talent Maintaining an inclusive environment through persistent self-reflection Building a culture of care, engagement, and recognition with clear outcomes Ensuring growth opportunities for our people Actalent is an equal opportunity employer. About Actalent Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services. For more than 40 years, we've helped visionary companies advance their goals. Headquartered in the United States, our teams span 150 offices across North America, EMEA, and APAC—with four delivery centers in India led by 1,000+ extraordinary employees who connect their passion with purpose every day. Our Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, and Chennai delivery centers are hubs of engineering expertise, with core capabilities in mechanical and electrical engineering, systems and software, and manufacturing engineering. Our teams deliver work across multiple industries including transportation, consumer and industrial products, and life sciences. We serve more than 4,500 clients, including many Fortune 500 brands. Learn more about how we can work together at actalentservices.com.