Manufacturing Engineering Manager

Rock West Composites is seeking a Manufacturing Engineering Manager to lead manufacturing engineering activities supporting advanced composite production. This role oversees the development, implementation, and improvement of manufacturing processes while ensuring engineering support, product quality, and operational performance meet business and customer requirements. This is an onsite position at our West Jordan, UT facility. 

Who We Are:

Rock West Composites designs and manufactures advanced composite solutions for aerospace, defense, space, and commercial applications. From concept through production, we turn complex ideas into high-performance products.

As an employee-owned company, our people are our greatest strength. We value innovation, collaboration, and a shared commitment to building products that matter.

Position Summary:

The Manager of Manufacturing Engineering leads the planning, development, implementation, and optimization of manufacturing methods, including new product introductions, product validation, qualification, and ongoing production support. This role manages the Manufacturing Engineering team, establishes priorities, and partners with Operations, Program Management, Quality, customers, and suppliers to resolve technical challenges, improve manufacturing performance, and support business objectives.

What You'll Own

• Manufacturing Engineering team leadership and development
• Manufacturing processes, documentation, and production support
• New product introduction, validation, and qualification
• Engineering workload, priorities, and performance metrics
• Cross-functional technical problem-solving and process improvement
• Manufacturing quality, safety, and compliance

Essential Functions

Manufacturing Engineering & Process Development

• Lead the development, implementation, and optimization of manufacturing methods supporting new product introductions, product validation, qualification, and production operations.
• Oversee engineering documentation, including EBOMs, MBOMs, work instructions, travelers, process specifications, and material selection.
• Resolve complex manufacturing and technical challenges, applying new technologies, processes, and engineering solutions to improve production performance.
• Evaluate emerging manufacturing technologies and recommend improvements to processes, capabilities, and operational efficiency.

Production & Cross-Functional Support

• Provide manufacturing engineering leadership and technical support to Operations, Program Management, Quality, customers, and suppliers to ensure product integrity and delivery requirements.
• Lead production planning activities, including staffing requirements, manufacturing time estimates, and cost analysis to support operational decisions.
• Communicate technical developments, risks, and issues affecting cost, schedule, profitability, customer requirements, and cross-functional operations.
• Support bids and proposals by providing manufacturing engineering input, technical assessments, and production estimates.

Team Leadership & Operational Excellence

• Manage engineering workloads, delegate assignments, establish priorities, and track performance metrics to ensure timely completion of deliverables.
• Lead, coach, and develop Manufacturing Engineering employees through training, performance evaluations, feedback, and professional development.
• Collaborate with manufacturing teams to develop and implement employee training aligned with company standards and best practices.
• Ensure compliance with company quality and safety requirements, including AS9100, established manufacturing procedures, and Foreign Object Debris (FOD) prevention practices.

Non-Essential Functions

• Perform other duties as assigned.

What You Bring

Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Structural, Materials Engineering, or a related discipline; equivalent education and experience considered. Master's degree preferred.
• 15+ years of manufacturing engineering experience, including 5 years of leadership of engineering teams, preferably within a Tier 1 or Tier 2 aerospace manufacturing environment.
• Strong background in aerospace composite structures manufacturing, including detail parts, assemblies, and hands-on fabrication.
• Experience supporting new product introductions, manufacturing process development, product qualification, and production operations.

Technical Skills

• Knowledge of aerospace manufacturing processes, including composites, metal bonding, metallic forming, machining, and composite product qualification.
• Experience with engineering documentation, GD&T, blueprint interpretation, CAD models, and CAD/CAM software, preferably SolidWorks.
• Familiarity with AS9100, prime contractor specifications, thermal profiles, first-part qualifications, and contact/noncontact inspection methods.
• Experience with data acquisition systems for temperature, position, and pressure, along with ERP/MRP systems.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Project, and Outlook.

Professional Skills

• Strong leadership, coaching, and employee development skills with the ability to manage engineering priorities and team performance.
• Excellent analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills with strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Effective written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills across technical teams, customers, and management.
• Highly organized, self-motivated, and adaptable with the ability to manage multiple programs and changing priorities.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary Range: $150,000 - $190,000 (based on experience and skillset)
• 100% Employer-Paid Medical & Dental
• Annual Bonus Program
• 401(k) with 5% Match
• Employee Stock Option Program
• 9/80 Work Schedule (every other Friday off)
• Paid Holidays + Generous PTO 
• $2,500 Tuition Reimbursement

Equal Opportunity Employer

Rock West Composites is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of the company to provide equal opportunity for all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, religious creed, ancestry, gender, pregnancy, sex, sexual orientation, transitioning status, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, genetic information, military and veteran status, marital status, medical condition, mental disability, physical disability, or any other basis protected by local, state, or federal law. EEO is the law. We also prohibit compensation discrimination under all applicable laws. Certain positions require meeting the U.S. Person definition in 22 CFR 120.62.

ITAR Requirement

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) as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(20), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. 1158, Must be authorized to work in the U.S. without the company’s immigration sponsorship now or in the future. Rock West Composites will not offer immigration sponsorship for this position. Rock West Composites will not seek an export authorization for this role. Rock West Composites maintains a Drug and Alcohol-Free Workplace. Depending on state law and the nature of the position, candidates who receive a conditional offer of employment may be required to complete a drug screening. Rock West Composites may also conduct drug and alcohol testing based on reasonable suspicion, post-incident, or for safety-sensitive positions as permitted by law.

Accommodation Notice

If you are an individual with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process, or are limited in the ability or unable to access or use this online application process and need an alternative method for applying, you may contact 858-537-6260.