Natilus

Autonomous cargo aircraft design and manufacturing

Manufacturing Engineer

Manufacturing EngineeringUpdated on Nov 7

Full-timeSan Diego, CA, USA$120k - $175k /yrIn-person

About the Job

Requirements

A bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical discipline is required.
At least 3 years of manufacturing engineering experience in the aerospace or aviation industry is required.
Experience developing manufacturing processes, assembly procedures, and production documentation is required.
Experience with composite structures, metallic aircraft structures, or both is required.
Familiarity with aerospace manufacturing standards and quality systems, including AS9100, is required.
Experience designing manufacturing tooling, fixtures, and assembly aids is required.
Proficiency with CAD software such as Siemens NX, CATIA, or SolidWorks is required.
A strong understanding of mechanical fabrication, machining, assembly techniques, and manufacturing tolerances is required.
Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, CAD models, and technical specifications is required.
Familiarity with GD&T and engineering change processes is required.
Experience working collaboratively with design engineers, manufacturing technicians, and suppliers is required.
Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently in a fast-paced engineering environment are required.
Willingness to take a hands-on approach to manufacturing challenges and aircraft development is required.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement manufacturing processes for aircraft structures, mechanical systems, and assemblies.
Collaborate with design engineering teams to ensure designs are manufacturable, cost-effective, and suitable for assembly and integration.
Develop manufacturing plans, work instructions, assembly procedures, and production documentation.
Support prototype fabrication, aircraft assembly, integration, and testing activities.
Design and develop manufacturing tooling, fixtures, jigs, and assembly aids.
Identify and resolve manufacturing challenges related to materials, tolerances, fabrication methods, and assembly processes.
Work with suppliers and vendors to evaluate manufacturing capabilities, resolve technical issues, and ensure component quality.
Support inspection, quality control, and verification activities to ensure compliance with engineering requirements.
Participate in design reviews and provide manufacturing input throughout the product development lifecycle.
Identify opportunities to improve manufacturing efficiency, reduce costs, and streamline production processes.
Support the transition from prototype development to repeatable manufacturing and production processes.
Work directly with engineering and technical teams to troubleshoot manufacturing and assembly issues.

Desired Qualifications

Experience in aircraft manufacturing, prototype development, or experimental aircraft programs.
Experience supporting aircraft integration, ground testing, or flight-test preparation.
Experience establishing manufacturing processes within an early-stage aerospace or hardware development company.

Manufacturing Engineer

Natilus · San Diego, United States · Full-time · Posted 2026-10-30

Salary: USD 120,000–175,000

Workplace: on_site

Description

Position Overview

Natilus is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer to join our engineering team in San Diego, CA. In this role, you will be responsible for developing and implementing manufacturing processes, supporting aircraft fabrication and assembly, and ensuring engineering designs can be efficiently translated into high-quality, flight-ready hardware. You will work closely with design engineers, technicians, suppliers, and cross-functional teams to develop manufacturing solutions that support the development and production of our blended-wing-body aircraft. This is a hands-on opportunity to contribute directly to aircraft development, establish manufacturing processes, and help build the foundation for future production operations.

Responsibilities

· Develop and implement manufacturing processes for aircraft structures, mechanical systems, and assemblies.

· Collaborate with design engineering teams to ensure designs are manufacturable, cost-effective, and suitable for assembly and integration.

· Develop manufacturing plans, work instructions, assembly procedures, and production documentation.

· Support prototype fabrication, aircraft assembly, integration, and testing activities.

· Design and develop manufacturing tooling, fixtures, jigs, and assembly aids.

· Identify and resolve manufacturing challenges related to materials, tolerances, fabrication methods, and assembly processes.

· Work with suppliers and vendors to evaluate manufacturing capabilities, resolve technical issues, and ensure component quality.

· Support inspection, quality control, and verification activities to ensure compliance with engineering requirements.

· Participate in design reviews and provide manufacturing input throughout the product development lifecycle.

· Identify opportunities to improve manufacturing efficiency, reduce costs, and streamline production processes.

· Support the transition from prototype development to repeatable manufacturing and production processes.

· Work directly with engineering and technical teams to troubleshoot manufacturing and assembly issues.

Requirements

· Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical discipline.

· 3+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering within aerospace or aviation industry.

· Experience developing manufacturing processes, assembly procedures, and production documentation.

· Experience with composite structures, metallic aircraft structures, or both.

· Familiarity with aerospace manufacturing standards and quality systems, including AS9100.

· Experience designing manufacturing tooling, fixtures, and assembly aids.

· Proficiency with CAD software such as Siemens NX, CATIA, or SolidWorks.

· Strong understanding of mechanical fabrication, machining, assembly techniques, and manufacturing tolerances.

· Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, CAD models, and technical specifications.

· Familiarity with GD&T and engineering change processes.

· Experience working collaboratively with design engineers, manufacturing technicians, and suppliers.

· Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently in a fast-paced engineering environment.

· Willingness to take a hands-on approach to manufacturing challenges and aircraft development.

Preferred

· Experience in aircraft manufacturing, prototype development, or experimental aircraft programs.

· Experience supporting aircraft integration, ground testing, or flight-test preparation.

· Experience establishing manufacturing processes within an early-stage aerospace or hardware development company.

Compensation

The expected salary range for this position is $120,000 to $175,000 annually. Actual compensation will be determined based on qualifications, relevant experience, skills, and business needs.

Benefits

Health Care Plan (Medica, Dental, Vision)
Retirement Plan – 401k
Unlimited PTO
Onsite Gym Access

Natilus Inc. hires solely based on qualifications, merit and competence. Natilus Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Natilus Inc. does not hire on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

Please note: Recruiters will never ask for sensitive personal or financial information during the application phase

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About the Company

Natilus

Autonomous cargo aircraft design and manufacturing

Natilus designs and manufactures autonomous blended-wing-body cargo aircraft for air freight to lower costs and emissions. Its UAVs use a blended-wing-body shape for more cargo space and fuel efficiency, and they operate without pilots, with multiple models for different cargo needs. By pairing autonomous flight with an efficient airframe, Natilus aims to cut air-freight costs by about 60% and carbon emissions by around 50% compared with traditional options. The goal is to provide scalable, affordable air freight that can replace or supplement conventional shipping by delivering fast, reliable, and low-cost cargo transport via unmanned aircraft.

Company size: 11-50
Company stage: Grant
Total funding: $32.3M
Headquarters: San Diego, CA
Founded: 2015

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