Senior Propulsion Manufacturing Engineer

Senior Propulsion Manufacturing Engineer

About the Opportunity

Our client is a rapidly growing engineering and technology organization developing advanced, mission-critical products for highly regulated and high-reliability environments. The company designs, manufactures, tests, and deploys complex systems that require exceptional standards of quality, performance, and operational excellence.

As production capability continues to scale, the organization is seeking a Senior Propulsion Manufacturing Engineer to lead the manufacturing, assembly, and integration of propulsion-related hardware and subsystems. This role offers significant ownership across product realization, from process development and tooling design through production ramp-up and continuous improvement initiatives.

The Role

The Senior Propulsion Manufacturing Engineer will be responsible for ensuring propulsion hardware is manufactured safely, efficiently, and to the highest quality standards. The successful candidate will work across engineering, quality, supply chain, and operations teams to transition products from development into repeatable production.

This role combines hands-on engineering with strategic manufacturing leadership and will suit someone who enjoys solving complex technical challenges in a fast-paced environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead manufacturing activities for propulsion-related components, assemblies, and integrated subsystems.
• Develop and optimize production processes for precision mechanical and fluid-system hardware.
• Create build strategies that support product quality, throughput, cost, and schedule objectives.
• Design, specify, and implement production tooling, fixtures, test equipment, and work-holding solutions.
• Partner with design engineering teams to improve manufacturability, assembly efficiency, and product reliability.
• Drive root cause investigations and corrective actions related to manufacturing and quality issues.
• Develop and maintain manufacturing documentation, including work instructions, process specifications, and inspection requirements.
• Support new product introduction (NPI) efforts and production readiness reviews.
• Manage qualification and validation activities for manufacturing processes and equipment.
• Collaborate with suppliers and internal stakeholders to resolve technical and production challenges.
• Identify opportunities for automation, lean manufacturing, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Support facility and infrastructure development required to expand manufacturing capabilities.
• Help recruit, mentor, and develop engineering and technical talent.

Required Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Physics, or a related technical discipline.
• Significant experience in manufacturing engineering, propulsion systems, aerospace, precision fabrication, or another highly regulated industry.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing process development and production system implementation.
• Proficiency with CAD systems and engineering drawing creation/review.
• Experience supporting products from design through manufacturing and production deployment.
• Demonstrated ability to manage technically complex projects with minimal supervision.
• Strong communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Hands-on approach to engineering problem solving and process improvement.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with welded, brazed, pressure-containing, or fluid-system assemblies.
• Knowledge of advanced fabrication methods, including automated or robotic manufacturing processes.
• Familiarity with precision machining, sheet metal fabrication, and assembly operations.
• Experience developing production tooling, fixtures, and custom manufacturing equipment.
• Working knowledge of GD&T, tolerance analysis, and engineering drawing interpretation.
• Experience with MES, ERP, PLM, or other manufacturing systems.
• Understanding of quality systems, process validation, and failure investigation methodologies.
• Familiarity with reliability engineering, risk management, and mission assurance principles.
• Experience operating within aerospace, defence, energy, transportation, medical device, or other high-reliability sectors.

What Success Looks Like

• Production processes are stable, repeatable, and capable of meeting quality requirements.
• Manufacturing schedules are achieved while maintaining safety and compliance standards.
• New products transition efficiently from development into scalable production.
• Continuous improvements deliver measurable gains in throughput, cost, quality, and reliability.
• Strong partnerships are built across engineering, operations, and supply chain functions.

Compensation & Benefits

A competitive compensation package is available, including salary, performance incentives, long-term equity participation, comprehensive benefits, retirement programs, paid time off, and professional development opportunities.