Manufacturing Engineer I (Onsite) with Security Clearance
The Manufacturing Engineer I at Confidential Client is responsible for overseeing the assembly and manufacturing processes of electromechanical assemblies and focal plane arrays in a secure, onsite environment. This role involves creating manufacturing plans, generating bills of materials, tooling evaluation, troubleshooting production issues, and driving process improvements to support defense-related aerospace manufacturing. The position requires an active DoD Secret security clearance and collaboration with cross-functional teams to ensure compliance with engineering, quality, safety, and security standards.
About Careertakes
👉 Important disclosure: Careertakes is a third-party recruiting platform supporting this hiring process. If selected, you will be employed directly by our client, Engineering.
Applicants for this role may also receive access to additional matched opportunities through the Careertakes platform.
What You’ll Do
Confidential Client is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer I to support precision electromechanical and focal plane array assembly in an onsite manufacturing environment in Santa Ynez, CA. This role requires working with design and production teams to translate engineering requirements into validated manufacturing plans, supporting day‑to‑day production, and driving process improvements.
- Write clear, compliant manufacturing plans and work instructions that meet engineering, quality, safety, and security requirements.
- Generate and maintain Bills of Material (BOMs) and related build documentation.
- Participate in tooling reviews; evaluate and provide feedback on tool designs and fixturing.
- Inspect hardware for compliance and generate work/rework/repair documentation.
- Troubleshoot production issues and support corrective actions; present findings to peers and management at Corrective Action Board (CAB) meetings.
- Implement process improvements through updates to work instructions, tooling, programs, or equipment to reduce defects and increase yield.
- Support scheduling and coordination of recurring and nonrecurring production tasks to meet program delivery targets.
Qualifications — You Must Have
- Bachelor of Science in Aerospace, Chemical, Industrial, Manufacturing, Materials, Mechanical Engineering, or another STEM discipline by the start date.
- Experience with manufacturing processes and/or assembly of mechanical and electronic/electromechanical assemblies.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) for documentation, tracking, and communication.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance. U.S. citizenship is required. Note: an active clearance may be required on day one or shortly after hire depending on program needs.
- Experience may be gained via work experience, coursework, research, or relevant projects.
Preferred Qualifications
- Familiarity with military and commercial manufacturing processes.
- Experience with ERP/MRP systems and Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES); SAP/CMES knowledge is a plus.
- Knowledge of continuous improvement methodologies such as Six Sigma or Lean Manufacturing.
- Familiarity with statistical process control, Gage R&R, capability studies, and Design of Experiments (DOE).
- Experience reading and interpreting technical drawings and specifications.
- Demonstrated ability to work cross-functionally with stakeholders at multiple levels.
Location & Work Type
- Onsite role in Santa Ynez, CA. This position requires primarily on-site work at the manufacturing facility.
- Candidates must be eligible to work in the U.S. and able to obtain/maintain required security clearances.
Compensation & Benefits
- Salary range (good‑faith estimate): $62,900 – $119,700 USD per year. Final offers consider factors such as role responsibilities, experience, location, and skills.
- Eligible employees may receive benefits such as medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short‑term and long‑term disability, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, parental leave, paid time off, and other program- or unit-specific benefits. Eligibility and program details vary by business unit.
Why Join
- Work on advanced aerospace and defense products supporting defense, surveillance, space, and weather applications.
- Join cross-functional teams solving complex manufacturing challenges and contributing to mission-critical systems.
- Professional growth opportunities in manufacturing engineering, tooling, process improvement, and production support.
Equal Opportunity & Hiring Transparency
Careertakes and our client are Equal Opportunity Employers committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We prohibit discrimination or harassment of any kind. To support a fair and efficient hiring process, AI tools may be used to assist with application review or resume screening. These tools do not replace human decision-making. Final hiring decisions are made by people.
If you have questions about how your data is used, please contact us directly.
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