Senior Manufacturing Engineer, Space Systems

Anduril Anduril · Defense · Costa Mesa, CA · Manufacturing : Manufacturing Engineering : Manufacturing Engineering

Anduril Industries, a defense technology company, is seeking a Senior Manufacturing Engineer for its Space Systems team. This role focuses on the assembly, integration, and test of spacecraft hardware, including ground support equipment, PCBA, and integrated systems. The engineer will own the manufacturing strategy, process development, quality systems, and supplier management, ensuring products meet high standards of quality and reliability for aerospace and defense operations. The role involves leading cross-functional initiatives, mentoring junior engineers, and driving manufacturing excellence from prototype through production.

What you'd actually do

  1. Lead the development, documentation, and continuous improvement of manufacturing processes for PCBAs, box-level assemblies, electro-optical instruments, and integrated spacecraft systems, ensuring compliance with space-grade standards (IPC-610/620 Class 3, NASA-STD-8739 series)
  2. Drive Design for Manufacturability (DFM/DFA) initiatives from concept through production, partnering with design engineers to optimize producibility, yield, and cost while providing hands-on technical leadership to manufacturing technicians
  3. Own quality assurance for assigned manufacturing processes, lead root cause analyses (RCA) and corrective actions for non-conformances, and proactively mitigate risks through PFMEA, process validation, and quality planning
  4. Specify, qualify, and deploy advanced assembly tools, fixtures, test equipment, and automation solutions, including custom tooling design using CAD/3D modeling capabilities
  5. Implement and optimize Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), ERP/MRP workflows, and digital manufacturing tools to enhance traceability, efficiency, and data-driven decision-making

Skills

Required

  • 8+ years of manufacturing engineering experience in aerospace, space systems, aviation, defense, or other high-reliability industries
  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related technical discipline
  • Deep knowledge of aerospace and high-reliability electronics standards, including IPC-610/620 Class 3, IPC J-STD-001 Space Addendum, and NASA-STD-8739 series (soldering, wire harness, conformal coating)
  • Expert-level understanding of PCBA manufacturing processes (SMT, through-hole, conformal coating, potting, component selection/screening) and strong technical knowledge of box-level assembly (cabling, harnessing, mechanical integration, thermal management, EMI/EMC)
  • Hands-on experience implementing and optimizing Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), ERP/MRP systems (SAP, Oracle, Odoo, Aligni), digital work instructions, and manufacturing process controls (SPC, Lean, Six Sigma)
  • Demonstrated expertise in root cause analysis (8D, 5-Why, Fishbone, PFMEA), driving corrective/preventive actions (CAPA), and developing/executing process validation, first article inspection (FAI), and manufacturing qualification plans
  • Ability to influence design for manufacturability and collaborate with electrical, mechanical, and systems design teams

Nice to have

  • Master's degree or equivalent advanced experience preferred

What the JD emphasized

  • spacecraft hardware
  • space-grade standards
  • high-reliability hardware
  • aerospace and high-reliability electronics standards
  • IPC-610/610 Class 3
  • IPC J-STD-001 Space Addendum
  • NASA-STD-8739 series
  • PCBA manufacturing processes
  • box-level assembly
  • Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES)
  • ERP/MRP systems
  • root cause analysis (8D, 5-Why, Fishbone, PFMEA)
  • process validation
  • first article inspection (FAI)
  • manufacturing qualification plans