What is this role:

• As a Manufacturing Engineer, you will be responsible to employ ’Design for X’ methodologies to every aspect of a new satellite product development program. Through careful planning, experimentation and automation you will be responsible for producing several spacecraft components, which includes owning the process from an early prototype phase through high volume production. For this role, you must have at least 3-5years of expertise in industrial, material or process engineering to procure, design, validate, test and operate an automated production system to create a uniquely designed, fully assembled spacecraft.  


• This position will report to the Head of Manufacturing Engineering and will work closely with mechanical, electrical, RF and materials and process engineers.  This position is based in our Saratoga, CA office. 

What you will do:

• Conduct trade studies, establish hardware requirements, lead design reviews and initiate procurement of robotic assembly process equipment   
• Manage characterization, qualification and acceptance test planning and execution, including design and development of in-house prototyping   
• Identify and implement continuous improvement projects with respect to first pass yield, cycle time reduction, product reliability, capacity enhancement and cost reduction 
• Provide technical support analyzing and/or performing failure analysis for discrepant production components, assemblies and field returns 
• Analyze prototype designs and existing manufacturing processes to identify risk, lead DFMEA/PFMEA reviews and incorporate and validate critical tests used in manufacturing 
• Create process documentation and lead operator training of manufacturing equipment   
• Drive maturity of the overall plant knowledge of technology, adoption of new technologies and ensure factories in the regions have the best access to the latest technological thinking and possible solutions 
• Research, purchase, implement and troubleshoot electromechanical equipment problems including collaboration with third party equipment makers, as needed   

What you will bring to this role:

• Bachelor’s/Master’s/PhD of Science in Industrial, Mechanical, Design Engineering or equivalent, plus 3-5 years of experience in relevant fields   
• Hands-on team player, capable of safely operating various fabrication tools such as drill presses, power saws, soldering irons, vacuum chambers, etc.  
• Solid understanding of continuous improvement methodologies such as LEAN or Six Sigma   
• Demonstrated prior success working in a fast-paced, multi-disciplinary, small-team environment with an ability to manage competing priorities   
• Excellent technical communication and presentation skills,especiallyto a non-technical audience   
• Enthusiastic energy to support and drive the development, implementation and operation of Industry 4.0 and IIoT initiatives    
• Strong collaborative and analytical skills 
• Ability to travel internationally up to 4wks of your time   

Bonus points:

• Prior experience working with advanced mechanical assemblies and/or PCBA integration   
• Previous knowledge and responsibility for deploying robotic or another form of industrial automation on a factory production line  
• Prior oversight for managing a production line producing over 30,000 parts per year