Job Description

Eleven Recruiting is searching for a Manufacturing Engineer for a leading aerospace and defense composite manufacturer in Hayden, ID, operating as a business unit of a multi-site composites platform serving the space, defense, and aviation markets. The Manufacturing Engineer will own the development, evaluation, and improvement of manufacturing processes for complex composite aerostructures — from lamination and cure through machining, assembly, and inspection. This is a hands‑on, shop‑floor‑present role responsible for building and maintaining manufacturing plans, tooling strategies, and work instructions that drive repeatable, high‑quality production execution. The engineer works cross‑functionally with program engineering, quality, and production teams to ensure lean plans are created, implemented, and continuously improved.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and maintain process control techniques and procedures within the composite manufacturing environment.
• Build and own manufacturing plans from initial process definition through production release, including layup sequences, cure cycles, machining operations, and assembly methods.
• Define and develop tooling and fixture requirements; create and maintain accurate tool drawings, design concepts, and shop orders in accordance with manufacturing engineering standards.
• Continuously analyze manufacturing process flows for improvements in quality, cost reduction, and throughput.
• Collaborate with Program Engineering on product and tooling design to ensure producibility and effective production methods.
• Partner closely with the manufacturing department to develop, coordinate, and implement build plans; create technical training for shop floor personnel.
• Design manufacturing processes for new products, engineering changes, and capability enhancements — with a focus on zero‑defect execution and cost efficiency.
• Provide hands‑on engineering support on the shop floor to troubleshoot and resolve technical problems in real time.
• Perform production readiness evaluations and producibility assessments for all engineering changes.
• Support and uphold company Lean Manufacturing practices, Kaizen initiatives, and standard operating procedures.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Materials, Aerospace, or related Engineering discipline.
• Hands‑on experience in composite manufacturing — including hand layup, cure processes, and post‑cure machining — within an aerospace, defense, or similarly regulated manufacturing environment.
• Working knowledge of composite materials and their behavior: fiber orientation, resin systems, cure cycles, and how material and process decisions affect part quality and structural performance.
• Demonstrated ability to develop manufacturing plans, work instructions, and build packages from engineering drawings and design intent.
• Experience designing or specifying tooling and fixtures for composite fabrication and assembly operations.
• Proficiency in blueprint reading and GD&T as applied to composite and machined aerostructure components.
• Proven track record working directly on the shop floor with operators, technicians, and production teams — not a desk engineering role.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills; comfortable troubleshooting in a fast‑paced, production‑driven environment.
• Demonstrated ability to implement Lean Manufacturing initiatives and standard operating procedures within a manufacturing environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in aerospace or defense composite manufacturing environments (AS9100, NADCAP familiarity a plus).
• Exposure to 5‑axis CNC machining of composite components.
• Familiarity with NDI/NDT methods used to inspect composite assemblies (ultrasonic, x‑ray, etc.).
• Background in metal‑to‑composite conversion or DFM for composite structures.
• Experience with filament winding or other advanced composite fabrication methods.
• Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma certification.
• Experience scaling new product introductions (NPI) from development into stable production.

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