Director of Manufacturing Engineering

Position Summary

The Director of Manufacturing Engineering leads the development, optimization, and execution of manufacturing engineering strategies across the organization. This role owns manufacturing process capability, technical problem-solving, new product introduction readiness, and continuous improvement across all production value streams, inclusive of machine procurement coordination across sites. The Director ensures alignment between engineering, operations, quality, programs, and supply chain to drive safety, productivity, quality, and cost performance.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on technical leader with strong aerospace or complex precision manufacturing experience and a proven ability to build high-performing teams, standardize processes, and implement scalable production systems.

Key Responsibilities

Manufacturing Engineering Leadership

• Lead, develop, and mentor a team of manufacturing engineers, machinists, CNC programmers, and industrial engineers in standardizing planning and work instructions and optimizing manufacturing flow.
• Establish best-in-class technical direction for manufacturing engineering, including process design, tooling, fixtures, machining methods, and assembly approaches. Focused on setup time reduction and run time optimization, while maintaining the highest quality products.
• Build a culture of ownership, accountability, problem solving, and continuous improvement.

Process Development & Optimization

• Using a continuous improvement approach, define and maintain standard manufacturing processes, specifications, and work instructions.
• Implement robust process controls, including PFMEAs, process validations, and capability studies.
• Drive improvements in throughput, setup time reduction, scrap, cycle time, and labor efficiency.
• Incorporate AI initiatives to continue to improve proposal support work, improving or automating machining and labor hour proposal estimates.

New Product Introduction (NPI)

• Leverage total Karman capability to develop winning solutions for our customers and optimal manufacturing of complex products.
• Collaborate with design engineering and customers to ensure manufacturability of new products.
• Lead manufacturing readiness, including tooling, process validation, and production ramp.
• Coordinate with Program Management, Quality, and Supply Chain to ensure on time, cost effective launch.

Cross Site & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner closely with Operations and Site leadership to execute production goals and resolve technical barriers.
• Work with Quality to ensure processes meet applicable aerospace/defense standards (e.g., AS9100).
• Interface with Supply Chain to drive supplier capability, manufacturability, and technical requirements.
• Support customer and regulatory audits and provide technical documentation as needed.

Strategic & Technical Leadership

• Assess and implement new technologies, automation, and equipment to strengthen capability.
• Support long-term strategies for manufacturing scalability, factory layout, and capital investments.
• Serve as a technical advisor to senior leadership, providing insights on process capability and risk.

Performance Management & Reporting

• Establish KPIs for process stability, efficiency, and capacity.
• Provide regular updates to executive leadership on improvement initiatives, major risks, and operational performance trends.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related field required.

Experience

• 10+ years in manufacturing engineering roles within aerospace, defense, or complex precision manufacturing.
• 5+ years of leadership experience overseeing technical teams.
• Experience in machining, composites, assembly, or special processes similar to Karman’s capabilities.
• AS9100 or ISO experience strongly preferred.

Skills & Competencies

• Hands-on experience developing innovative world class manufacturing approaches.
• Strong technical problem-solving ability and hands-on approach to manufacturing flow optimization and tooling set-up optimization.
• Expert in CAD/CAM, CNC programming, and manufacturing analytics tools.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, high-mix engineering/manufacturing environment.
• Strong project management skills and ability to drive initiatives to completion.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

• Manufacturing floor and office environment mix.
• Ability to move through shop areas, including machining, assembly, and inspection.
• Periodic travel between facilities may be required.

ITAR REQUIREMENTS:

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here. 

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER 

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities. The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

Karman is committed to equal employment opportunity. We will not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on any legally recognized basis (“protected class”) including, but not limited to race; color; religion; genetic information; national origin; sex; pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; age; disability; citizenship status; uniform servicemember status; or any other protected class under federal, state, or local law. Our management is dedicated to ensuring the fulfillment of this policy with respect to hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, recruitment advertising, pay, and other forms of compensation, training, and general treatment during employment.