Principal Manufacturing Engineer - Advanced Manufacturing Aerospace

POSITION SNAPSHOT : Our client is a contract manufacturing leader in the Greater Los Angeles area. They are seeking a highly skilled Principal Manufacturing Engineer to lead the end-to-end development and scaling of advanced manufacturing processes, with a strong focus on metal additive manufacturing, precision machining, and assembly. In this pivotal role, you will serve as the primary interface between Manufacturing and Additive Manufacturing (AM) Design, driving the transition from prototype to full-scale production. Your responsibilities will include developing, optimizing, and documenting robust manufacturing processes, partnering cross-functionally with Design, R&D, Supply Chain, Quality, and Operations to ensure on-time delivery and exceptional quality. You will champion Design for Manufacturability (DFM) at all levels, provide expert guidance on tolerancing and GD&T, and author comprehensive process documentation, including SOPs, inspection plans, and detailed work instructions. Additionally, you will identify and implement automation opportunities-such as robotic handling, automated inspection, and MES integrations-while leading pilot projects through to production deployment and supporting supplier engagement to scale effective processes.

Success in this role requires a high degree of autonomy, strong organizational skills, and a builder's mindset in a fast-paced, high-mix environment. You will be responsible for implementing and refining MES / ERP workflows, managing configuration and change control, and supporting root cause and corrective / preventive actions (RCCA) for complex manufacturing challenges. Applying DOE, Lean, and continuous improvement methodologies, you will work to reduce cycle time, scrap, and process variability, while improving equipment reliability and uptime across all manufacturing stages. The ideal candidate will possess deep knowledge of aerospace quality systems (AS9100), advanced proficiency in CAD and tooling / fixture design, and hands-on experience across CNC, heat treat, assembly, and special processes. A bachelor's degree in a relevant engineering field (master's preferred) and at least seven years of experience in manufacturing engineering-including advanced manufacturing-are required. U.S. citizenship and the ability to obtain and maintain a DoD SECRET security clearance are also mandatory for this position.

• Position Snapshot is a summary based off the full job description available from the client.