Applied Composites Los Alamitos (ACLA) is seeking a Sr. Manufacturing Engineer with Composites Processing and Tool Design Background, who will serve as a technical leader and subject matter expert in composite tool and assembly fixture design, manufacturing & assembly process definition, and production and inspection systems & equipment application, while supporting multiple programs and functional organizations.
About ACLA:
Come and join the Applied Composites Los Alamitos team. We are a leading provider of complex space-flight composite parts and assemblies. Our employees are respected contributors to our success. If you are looking for a company that values and develops its employees while offering engaging work, Applied Composites may be the place for you.
Benefits:
At Applied Composites, we recognize how important your career and benefits are to you and your family. We offer a full suite of benefits including medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability coverage, accident insurance, critical illness insurance, basic and supplemental life insurance, employee assistance plan, retirement savings and matching, tuition reimbursement and other developmental opportunities. We are committed to supporting the way you live and work.
Applied Composites is an Equal Opportunity Employer Veterans/Disabled - Affirmative Action Employer.
This position requires the use of information which is subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). All applicants must be U.S. persons within the meaning of ITAR. ITAR defines a U.S. person as a U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (i.e. 'Green Card Holder'), Political Asylee, or Refugee.
Job Responsibilities:
- Interpret Engineering Specifications to determine product and process requirements.
- Develop and continually optimize cost-effective manufacturing processes and methods in accordance with product specifications and quality standards.
- Develop, create, and implement efficient Manufacturing Process documentation in at least four of the Composite Manufacturing areas (Lay-up, Panel Build, Detail Fabrication, Surface Measurements and Tooling Alignment, Machining, Sub-Assembly, and Structures Integration).
- Read and interpret Engineering Drawings to create the Product Indentured Bill-of-Material.
- Select and/or develop manufacturing methods as needed to achieve maximum production efficiency.
- Determine optimum process parameters and document accurate work instructions, identify and implement process improvements, develop and create tool & shop aid designs as necessary.
- Collaborate with production personnel to help maintain smooth flow of production.
- Provide technical oversight to shop personnel during all phases of manufacturing.
- Support customer reviews and technical interchange meetings as needed.
- Support investigations, develop activities and conduct process improvement studies.
- Research alternative solutions to manufacturing problems and processing equipment and make verbal and or written recommendations to appropriate parties and implement solutions.
- Track, report, and analyze defects, driving to determine root cause and implement corrective actions.
- Collaborates in product development with multi-disciplinary project teams.
- May act as program manager for customer programs.
Duties and responsibilities may be added, deleted, modified or changed at any time at the Company’s discretion. Changes may be made formally, informally either verbally or in writing
Desired Technical Skills Sets:
- Materials and Process experience with prepreg, core, resin/adhesive systems, bonded & mechanically fastened assy’s, and tooling/fixturing materials and methods.
- Proficiency with SolidWorks, NX, or Creo design software.
- Ability to interpret multi customer drawings, tolerances, CAD models, and specifications to guide and/or create models and drawings for shop aids, molds, and assembly fixtures.
- Capable of performing tolerance stack up analyses to inform tool design requirements.
- Ability to create statement of work for tool procurement.
- Experience working with multi-axis CNC machining equipment. Machining and/or CNC Programming experience using MasterCAM a plus
- Familiarity with structural assembly alignment and positioning methods using laser tracker
- Ability to provide advanced troubleshooting support for manufacturing, process, and quality issues.
- Abillity to lead root cause investigations and corrective action efforts to resolve complex production challenges.
- Proficiency with creating technical presentation materials to support customer audits, qualification activities, and technical reviews as required.
Communication & Collaboration;
- Excellent verbal, written, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Develop executive-level presentations, technical reports, and business cases supporting strategic initiatives.
- Ability to effectively interface with customers, and suppliers, to support multiple programs.
Leadership & Mentorship;
- Provide technical leadership, coaching, and mentoring to fellow team members, Technicians, and Operations personnel.
- Lead knowledge-sharing initiatives and contribute to the development of engineering standards and training programs.
- Support succession planning and development of engineering talent.
- Facilitate technical training related to composite manufacturing processes, equipment, and best practices.
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in: Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related technical discipline preferred.
Experience:
- Requires 8+ years of progressive responsibility in manufacturing engineering or closely related discipline within aerospace composites manufacturing environments
- Working knowledge of materials and processes used for production of aerospace composite parts and assemblies
- Proficiency with SolidWorks, or NX, or Creo design software
- Experience providing technical requirements for design of Tooling and Fixtures
- Experience in creation of 3-D/2-D shop aids and templates
- Experience with aerospace composites lamination, adhesive bonding, and structural assembly processes
- Working knowledge of Laser tracker/CMM inspection methods and data analysis
- Generation of work instructions and production travelers
- Experience with identifying and implementing manufacturing process improvements
- Experience with design/process validation methods, familiarity with control plans, and risk mitigation methods
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office
- Management of multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment
Skills Required
- 8+ years of progressive responsibility in manufacturing engineering or a closely related discipline within aerospace composites manufacturing
- Working knowledge of materials and processes used to produce aerospace composite parts and assemblies
- Proficiency with SolidWorks, NX, or Creo design software
- Experience providing technical requirements for tooling and fixture design
- Experience creating 3-D and 2-D shop aids and templates
- Experience with aerospace composites lamination, adhesive bonding, and structural assembly processes
- Working knowledge of laser tracker and CMM inspection methods and data analysis
- Experience generating work instructions and production travelers
- Experience identifying and implementing manufacturing process improvements
- Experience with design and process validation methods, control plans, and risk mitigation
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical discipline
- Experience with prepreg, core, resin and adhesive systems, bonded and mechanically fastened assemblies, and tooling or fixturing materials
- Experience with multi-axis CNC machining equipment
- Mastercam machining or CNC programming experience
- Ability to perform tolerance stack-up analyses
- Experience creating statements of work for tool procurement
- Familiarity with structural assembly alignment and positioning using laser trackers
- Ability to lead root-cause investigations and corrective actions
- Excellent verbal, written, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills
- Ability to interface effectively with customers and suppliers across multiple programs
Applied Composites Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Applied Composites and has not been reviewed or approved by Applied Composites.
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Healthcare Strength — Health coverage includes medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and options like FSA/HSA, with disability coverage and an EAP also available. Wellness programs further contribute to overall health support.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Time off includes a vacation plan, wellness days, and 10 paid holidays each year. PTO accrual increases with tenure, expanding available leave over time.
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Retirement Support — A 401(k) plan with employer matching is offered. This provides structured support for long‑term savings.
Applied Composites Insights
What We Do
Applied Composites is a leading provider of complex composite components, assemblies, engineering, and tooling to the aerospace, defense, and space systems markets. Vertically integrated with six strategic locations, we have widespread capabilities to serve expanding industry needs in many high-growth aerospace and defense platforms. Specializing in complex composite assemblies for the aerospace industry, Applied Composites has a long history of providing customer satisfaction by focusing on continuous improvement processes that help reduce time and cost. Our aerospace composite manufacturing capabilities are among the best in the industry.
