Littleton, Colorado
$135,000 – $160,000 base salary (DOE)
(Contract to Hire)
- Competitive total compensation package including bonus eligibility, PTO, and full benefits upon conversion
A leading aerospace manufacturing organization is seeking a Staff Manufacturing Engineer to support the development and scaling of high-reliability space hardware production. This is a contract-to-hire opportunity designed for a senior-level engineering professional who can lead manufacturing strategy, drive production readiness, and enable scalable, high-rate assembly of complex aerospace systems.
This role is highly strategic in nature and supports the transition of advanced hardware from development into repeatable, production-ready manufacturing environments.
- Serve as the technical manufacturing owner across complex assemblies and multiple aerospace programs
- Develop and execute scalable manufacturing strategies to support increased production rates and delivery targets
- Lead capacity planning, production flow optimization, and line balancing initiatives
- Lead AI&T planning and execution for mechanical systems and module-level testing
- Standardize integration and test processes to improve repeatability, throughput, and quality
- Support end-to-end production readiness activities
- Provide manufacturing input during design reviews (PDR, CDR, MRR, TRR)
- Drive DFM/DFA/DFT best practices to improve producibility, cost efficiency, and performance
- Review and approve engineering drawings for manufacturing readiness
- Develop and improve manufacturing processes, tooling, fixtures, and automation solutions
- Lead Lean and Six Sigma initiatives focused on yield, cycle time, and efficiency improvements
- Track and improve KPIs including FPY, OEE, and throughput
- Lead root cause analysis (RCA) and corrective actions for non-conformance issues (NCRs)
- Participate in Material Review Board (MRB) decisions and quality disposition strategies
- Ensure compliance with aerospace and customer quality standards (AS9100)
- Provide hands-on support on the production floor to resolve build and execution issues
- Collaborate with supply chain and procurement to ensure material readiness and flow
- Manage production risks related to lead times, shortages, and supplier performance
- Mentor and develop manufacturing engineers and production personnel
- Serve as a subject matter expert for complex manufacturing challenges
- Drive technical standards across manufacturing operations
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Aerospace Engineering, or related field
- 8–15 years of manufacturing engineering experience
- Experience in aerospace, defense, or high-reliability manufacturing environments
- Proven success scaling products from development into production
- Strong background in AI&T, DFM/DFA/DFT, and production system design
- Experience with NCR resolution and root cause analysis
- Familiarity with AS9100 quality standards and GD&T
- Experience in spacecraft fabrication and testing
- Exposure to manufacturing automation or programming
- Strong documentation and process development background
- Experience working in cross-functional engineering environments
- Strong technical leadership and decision-making ability
- Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills
- High attention to detail and accountability in execution
- Ability to thrive in fast-paced, production-driven environments
- Strong mentoring and team development mindset
- Must meet ITAR compliance requirements (U.S. Citizen or lawful permanent resident)
- Background check required
- Drug screening required
- Initial recruiter screening
- Hiring manager technical interview
- Cross-functional panel interview (engineering, quality, operations)
- Final leadership interview
This is a high-impact role supporting the scale-up of advanced aerospace manufacturing programs. The position offers strong visibility across engineering and operations teams, with the opportunity to directly influence production strategy, process design, and the successful launch of space-grade hardware into high-rate manufacturing.
Please submit your resume for consideration.
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