Manufacturing CAD & Development Engineer

Job description

### About this Role: - Develop and sustain manufacturing processes supporting satellite assembly, integration, test (AIT), and launch activities. - Design, analyze, release, and maintain manufacturing tooling, fixtures, and ground support equipment (GSE) using CAD tools. - Review spacecraft designs and manufacturing methods to identify risks, constraints, and opportunities for Design for Excellence (DFX) improvements. - Create, review, and maintain work instructions, standard operating procedures (SOPs), manufacturing documentation, and GSE operating manuals. - Participate in manufacturing-readiness reviews and production-planning activities. - Investigate manufacturing, tooling, and process-related issues and implement corrective actions. - Collaborate with engineering, quality, supply chain, facilities, and production teams to improve operational efficiency and product quality. - Support technician training through the development of manufacturing documentation and standardized processes. - Identify and implement continuous improvement opportunities to increase production throughput, quality, safety, and scalability. - Contribute to the development of cleanroom layouts, manufacturing workstations, and production equipment setups. - Support the industrialization of spacecraft products and help establish manufacturing capabilities that enable production at scale. ### Must Haves: - Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical discipline. - Experience designing tooling, fixtures, mechanical equipment, or manufacturing support hardware using CAD software. - Proficiency with one or more CAD platforms such as SolidWorks, Creo, NX, CATIA, or AutoCAD. - Understanding of manufacturing processes, machining methods, and material selection. - Experience creating technical documentation, work instructions, manufacturing procedures, or operating instructions. - Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to investigate manufacturing issues and drive corrective actions. - Ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams across engineering, manufacturing, quality, and operations. - Hands-on engineering mindset with a willingness to work directly with hardware and production systems. - Strong ownership mentality and comfort operating in a fast-paced startup environment. - Excellent written and verbal English communication skills. ### Nice to Haves: - Experience in aerospace, satellite, defense, automotive, robotics, or other high-reliability manufacturing environments. - Experience supporting Assembly, Integration & Test (AIT) operations. - Familiarity with aerospace and manufacturing standards such as NASA, ECSS, ISO, MIL, IPC, J-STD, or ESD requirements. - Lean Manufacturing and/or Six Sigma experience. - Experience with Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems. - Experience with PFMEA, process validation, risk assessment, or manufacturing readiness reviews. - Environmental testing experience, including vibration, thermal vacuum (TVAC), thermal cycling, or shock testing. - Experience with automated manufacturing systems, robotics, or industrial automation. - Knowledge of lifting operations, rigging, cranes, forklifts, or other manufacturing support equipment. - Previous experience in a startup environment. - Passion for space systems and spacecraft manufacturing.