Staff Manufacturing Engineer, Space Systems

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

Anduril Industries is a defense technology company seeking a Staff Manufacturing Engineer for their Space Systems team. This role will own the manufacturing strategy and execution for complex spacecraft hardware, covering the entire manufacturing value chain from design for manufacturability to process development, supplier management, and quality systems. The engineer will lead cross-functional initiatives, mentor junior engineers, and drive manufacturing excellence for PCBAs, box-level electronics, electro-optical instruments, and integrated spacecraft systems. The ideal candidate has proven leadership in solving complex technical challenges, scaling manufacturing processes, and delivering high-reliability hardware on aggressive timelines.

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

  • Manufacturing engineering experience in aerospace, space systems, aviation, defense, or other high-reliability industries
  • Leading complex manufacturing programs from development through production
  • Aerospace and high-reliability electronics standards (IPC-610/620 Class 3, IPC J-STD-001 Space Addendum, NASA-STD-8739 series)
  • PCBA manufacturing processes (SMT, through-hole, conformal coating, potting, component selection/screening)
  • Box-level assembly (cabling, harnessing, mechanical integration, thermal management, EMI/EMC)
  • 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)
  • 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
  • Influence design for manufacturability
  • Collaborate with electrical, mechanical, and systems design teams
  • Designing or specifying custom tooling, fixtures, and test equipment for complex hardware

Nice to have

  • CAD/3D modeling capabilities

What the JD emphasized

  • space-grade standards
  • high-reliability hardware
  • complex spacecraft hardware
  • aerospace and defense operations
  • flight hardware programs
  • aerospace, space systems, aviation, defense, or other high-reliability industries