Sr Manufacturing Engineer

Are you a bold thinker who enjoys turning innovative concepts into real‑world capability? At Sierra Nevada Corporation, you’ll collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to help shape the future of Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR). Our Next‑Gen ISR programs—including platforms developed through RAPCON‑X—aim to deliver adaptable, high‑performance solutions that address critical mission needs across the globe.
As a Senior Manufacturing Engineer, you will play a key role in transforming advanced ISR system designs into efficient, scalable, and repeatable production processes. You’ll partner with design engineering, quality, program management, and production teams to ensure complex assemblies and system integrations can be built with precision, consistency, and manufacturability in mind. Your work will involve refining designs for production, developing tooling and fixtures, optimizing build flows, and implementing best‑in‑class manufacturing practices that elevate quality and efficiency throughout the product lifecycle.

In this role, you’ll help bridge the gap between engineering intent and real‑world production execution—strengthening SNC’s ability to rapidly develop and produce the ISR platforms that matter most. This is an opportunity to innovate, collaborate, and directly influence the manufacturing readiness of SNC’s Next‑Gen ISR capabilities.

To learn more about RAPCON‑X and SNC’s Next‑Gen ISR programs, visit:
https://www.sncorp.com/capabilities/rapcon-x-aerial-isr/

The Mission Solutions and Technologies (MST) business area provides affordable, turn-key command/control, communications, integrated ISR, force protection and security solutions worldwide. The MST team has a long legacy of supporting the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, commercial and international customers with years of experience in platform operations, engineering and full lifecycle management across domains – air, land, sea, space and cyber.

Responsibilities

• Function as the Technical Lead for the implementation of Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) principles on critical New Product Introduction (NPI) programs.
• Collaborate with design, quality, and production teams to ensure manufacturability, producibility, and adherence to quality standards.
• Architect production process flows, workstation layouts, and manufacturing sequences to enable efficient, ergonomic, and repeatable operations.
• Design, develop, and validate sophisticated production tooling, fixtures, and supporting hardware.
• Conduct thorough root‑cause analysis and implement corrective and preventive actions that improve overall process capability.
• Mentor and coach junior engineers in engineering fundamentals, manufacturing best practices, and problem‑solving methods.
• Lead and support continuous improvement initiatives focusing on efficiency, cost reduction, and operational excellence.

Must‑Have Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in an Manufacturing, Mechanical, or related Engineering discipline.
• 10+ years of experience in manufacturing or process engineering (advanced degree may substitute for experience).
• Demonstrated expertise leading DFM/DFA activities for complex systems.
• Proven experience owning manufacturing engineering deliverables throughout the full product lifecycle—from concept through production ramp.
• Expert proficiency with CAD software and formal process documentation.
• Extensive leadership experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Advanced knowledge of engineering principles, production methods, and manufacturing practices.
•  Experience working within multi‑disciplinary engineering teams.
• Ability to obtain and maintain United States Secret Security Clerance

Preferred Qualifications

• Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma certification (Master Black Belt preferred).
• Experience with digital manufacturing, automation.
• Background in Aerospace & Defense manufacturing environments.

• ⁠Experience developing work instructions, travelers, or controlled manufacturing documentation.
• Prior participation on Material Review Boards (MRB) for nonconformance dispositions.
• Experience supporting transition‑to‑production activities or production ramp efforts.
• Familiarity with PLM, MES, and MRP systems.

• Proficiency with GD&T per ASME Y14.5.
• Knowledge of parametric design, model‑based definition (MBD), material/hardware selection, and production processes.
• Experience developing work instructions, travelers, or controlled manufacturing documentation.
• Prior participation on Material Review Boards (MRB) for nonconformance dispositions.
• Experience supporting NPI, transition‑to‑production activities, or production ramp efforts.
• Familiarity with PLM, MES, and MRP systems.

Essential Functions

• Ability to work at a computer for extended periods.
•  Ability to work on the shop floor for extended periods, including in hot or cold environments.
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs occasionally

This posting will be open for application for a minimum of 5 days and may be extended based on business needs.

Estimated Starting Salary Range: $113,428.57 - $155,964.28. Compensation varies depending on a wide array of factors, such as candidates' key skills, relevant work experience, and education/training/certifications. The disclosed range estimate may be adjusted for any applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the position may be filled.

SNC offers annual incentive pay based upon performance that is commensurate with the level of the position.

SNC offers a generous benefit package, including medical, dental, and vision plans, 401(k) with 150% match up to 6%, life insurance, 3 weeks paid time off, tuition reimbursement, and more.

IMPORTANT NOTICE:

This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Secret U.S. Security Clearance. U.S. Citizenship status is required as this position needs an active U.S. Security Clearance for employment. Non-U.S. citizens may not be eligible to obtain a security clearance. The Department of Defense Consolidated Adjudications Facility (DoD CAF), a federal government agency, handles the adjudicative aspects of the security clearance eligibility process for industry applicants. Adjudicative factors which affect the outcome of the eligibility determination include, but are not limited to, allegiance to the U.S., foreign influence, foreign preference, criminal conduct, security violations and illegal drug use.

Learn more about the background check process for Security Clearances.

SNC is a global leader in aerospace and national security committed to moving the American Dream forward. We’re known and respected for our mission and execution focus, agility, and disruptive and rapid innovation. We provide leading edge technologies and transformative solutions that support our nation’s most critical security needs. If you are mission-focused, thrive in collaborative environments, and want to make our country stronger with state-of-the-art technologies that safeguard freedom, join our team!

SNC is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to an environment free of discrimination.  Employment decisions are made based on merit without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran or other characteristics protected by law.