Manufacturing Engineer

The Aerospace Corporation is the trusted partner to the nation’s space programs, solving the hardest problems and providing unmatched technical expertise. As the operator of a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC), we are broadly engaged across all aspects of space— delivering innovative solutions that span satellite, launch, ground, and cyber systems for defense, civil and commercial customers. When you join our team, you’ll be part of a special collection of problem solvers, thought leaders, and innovators. Join us and take your place in space.

At Aerospace, we are committed to providing an inclusive and diverse workplace for all employees to share in our common passion and aspiration – to carry out a mission much bigger than ourselves.

The Systems Engineering Division (SED) provides unmatched experience in systems engineering to the U.S. government and to numerous public and private agencies, universities, nonprofit organizations, consortia, and commercial companies involved in the advanced application of space technology. From systems architecture development to system analysis and optimization, astrodynamics, orbital debris, navigation, failure analysis, mission assurance, cost and schedule assessment, and economic market analysis. SED exploits an incredibly broad array of engineering and business disciplines against a diverse and dynamic portfolio of programs and national challenges.

The Mission Assurance Subdivision (MAS) uses objective and repeatable methods to deliver risk and safety assessments, reliability optimization and resiliency planning, operational readiness, and product assurance. MAS supports acquisition and systems engineering of systems, systems-of-systems, facilities, and enterprises across the lifecycle for the USSF, NASA, NOAA, Intelligence Community (IC) and other Agencies.  

The manufacturing and mission assurance department (MMAD) provides product and process assurance and manufacturing expertise across the acquisition lifecycle.  A particular interest of MMAD is building the high volume manufacturing expertise for application to proliferated constellations. With the need for more resilient architectures, the ability for Prime contractors, as well as the supporting industrial base will need to shift from the building bespoke traditional satellites to higher-volume constellation satellites.

This person leads and contributes to manufacturing assessments across the space system lifecycle for commercially available and bespoke systems, supports future strategy for data supported risk decisions related to manufacturing, supports independent reviews of manufacturing processes, and influences space systems manufacturing policy and guidance that effect operational reliability. This person may also organize and lead interdisciplinary teams to perform manufacturing studies involving forward looking risk and mission assurance assessments of space systems.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Lead, mentor and enable Aerospace colleagues to work cooperatively with customer personnel, and contractor personnel to guide manufacturing readiness assessments that span the lifecycle; to include system development; assembly, integration, test, low rate initial production, and full production; assess readiness for new technology insertion in the manufacturing process; assess manufacturing process control effectiveness, recommend process control investments and data collection to improve manufacturing quality insights.   

• Organize and lead interdisciplinary teams in performing studies to research manufacturing risk assessment for space systems.

• Define and lead manufacturing studies; identify Aerospace and industry subject matter experts (SMEs), performing literature research; sourcing or orchestrating data collection; performing analysis; developing reports; and presenting results.

• Interface with and create working relationships with industry leaders and SMEs.

• Relate AS9100 and AS6500 technical requirements to maturity of manufacturing systems.

• Apply key criteria from technology readiness level (TRL) and manufacturing readiness levels (MRL) to determine when it is appropriate for a contractor to enter into low-rate and high-rate production.

• Communicate the key differences between manufacturing systems (i.e., Project, Batch, and Flow) to customers for determining the optimal approach to establish high-volume production requirements for proliferated systems. Define and assess a contractor’s manufacturing capacity and ability to scale-up production quantities/rates.

• Apply unique space parts, materials, and processes (PMP) requirements (e.g., contamination control, ESD, handling, etc.) in establishing new satellite facilities. Advise contractors on process characterization techniques to develop “repeatable” processes.

• Integrate assembly, integration, and test (AI&T) knowledge (e.g., MIL-STD 1540 environmental testing) into new approaches required for qualification of proliferated systems. Conduct formal assessments of a contractor’s manufacturing capabilities including manufacturing execution systems (MES), shop floor control statusing, MRP-ERP/status reporting, configuration control, AB-AD verification, and anomaly tracking & corrective action.

Work Model:

This is a Casual Employment position.

Casual employment is normally for fewer than 20 hours a week, usually non-continuous, irregular, and infrequent. Casual employment must be less than 1,000 paid hours in any calendar year.

What you Need to be Successful

• BS degree in industrial engineering or related technical discipline or the experience equivalent

• Experience in developing and analyzing manufacturing processes

• Demonstrated experience in team/leadership positions and driving accountability

• Demonstrated experience leading high-profile, quick turn-around tasks as an individual contributor or as a team lead

• Demonstrated experience in formulation of technical task planning, recruiting cross-functional teams, issue resolution, and orchestrating task balance across a team

• Strong relationship building skills to enable frequent communication with a range of customers on defining new tasks, developing task descriptions, resolving issues, and reporting work progress and results

• Demonstrated experience presenting and writing technical information

• Ability to be flexible, adaptable, and able to manage multiple simultaneous tasks, including occasional business travel

• This position requires a TS/SSBI/SCI security clearance, which is issued by the US government. U.S citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.

How You Can Stand Out

• Experience with Government or commercial space operations

• Relationships with commercial industry leaders/subject matter experts

• Demonstrated experience developing, assessing and/or executing a high volume production line

• Advanced degree from an accredited program in a relevant field

• Experience developing a data strategy and curating data to inform risk

• Experience in building relationships with new customers

We offer a competitive compensation package where you’ll be rewarded based on your performance and recognized for the value you bring to our business.  The grade-based pay range for this job is listed below.  Individual salaries within that range are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge and skills. 

(Min - Max)

$151,300 - $226,900

Pay Basis: Annual

Leadership Competencies

Our leadership philosophy is simple: every employee, regardless of level and role, can demonstrate leadership. At Aerospace, our commitment is our people. To cultivate our talent and ensure that we have a strong pipeline of future leaders, we want individuals who:

• Operate Strategically
• Lead Change   
• Engage with Impact   
• Foster Innovation   
• Deliver Results  

Ways We Reward Our Employees

During your interview process, our team will provide details of our industry-leading benefits.

Benefits vary and are applicable based on Job Type.  A few highlights include:

• Comprehensive health care and wellness plans

• Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation

• Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options

• 401(k) Plan — Employees receive a total company-paid benefit of 8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation based on years of service and matching contributions; employees are immediately eligible and vested in the plan upon hire

• Flexible spending accounts

• Variable pay program for exceptional contributions

• Relocation assistance

• Professional growth and development programs to help advance your career

• Education assistance programs

• An inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect

We are all unique, from diverse backgrounds and all walks of life, yet one thing bonds all of us to each other—the belief that we can make a difference. This core belief empowers us to do our best work at The Aerospace Corporation.

Equal Opportunity Commitment

The Aerospace Corporation is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. We believe that a diverse workforce creates an environment in which unique ideas are developed and differing perspectives are valued, producing superior customer solutions. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, color, religion, genetic information, marital status, ancestry, national origin, protected veteran status, physical disability, medical condition, mental disability, or disability status and any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. If you’re an individual with a disability or a disabled veteran who needs assistance using our online job search and application tools or need reasonable accommodation to complete the job application process, please contact us by phone at 310.336.5432 or by email at ieo.mailbox@aero.org. You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal, as well as the Pay Transparency Policy Statement.