Manufacturing Engineer

Manufacturing Engineer Location Irvine, CA / Rancho Cucamonga, CA Direct Hire MUST have strong Manufacturing Engineer experience within an Elastomer organization . Aerospace and ITAR experience (preferably)•Knowledge of AS9100 a plus. Responsibilities The Manufacturing Engineer works closely with the manufacturing team, supports the development, optimization, and sustainability of manufacturing processes related to elastomer materials and products. This role ensures efficient production, high product quality, and strong compliance with industry standards while working closely with cross-functional teams in engineering, quality, safety, and operations. Process Engineering & Optimization Develop, implement, and optimize elastomer molding, extrusion, mixing, and curing processes (e.g., compression molding, injection molding, calendaring). Analyze production data to identify inefficiencies and lead continuous improvement initiatives using Lean, Six Sigma, and rootcause problemsolving tools. Create and maintain process documentation, including work instructions, SOPs, control plans, and PFMEAs. Manufacturing Support Provide day-to-day technical support to production teams, troubleshooting process and equipment issues related to elastomer manufacturing. Define and validate process parameters for new and existing products to ensure stability, repeatability, and compliance with product specifications. Oversee tooling design, tooling trials, and qualification for elastomer components. Equipment & Technology Specify, validate, and maintain elastomer processing equipment, including mixers, extruders, molding presses, curing ovens, and inspection tools. Lead or support capital equipment projects, including justification, procurement, installation, and validation. Identify and implement new technologies to improve elastomer flow, curing chemistry, throughput, and product consistency. Safety & Environmental Support safety initiatives by identifying risks associated with high-temperature processes, chemical mixing, and press operations. Ensure compliance with environmental regulations related to elastomer materials and curing agents.