Sr. Manufacturing Engineer
Karman Space & Defense
Other Engineering
South El Monte, CA, USA
Posted on Mar 14, 2026
Summary
The Sr. Manufacturing Engineer supports production with emphasis of design producibility, manufacturing process development and support, and oversees the transition of product to production including follow on support. The manufacturing engineering role is pivotal in developing methods of manufacture, work instructions and production line operations to ensure product quality is built into the final product. The Manufacturing Engineer position is focused at supporting engineering and manufacturing activity while continuing to build essential skills and experience.
About Us
KARMAN SPACE & DEFENSE: Karman is the market leading suppliers of metallic and composite flight hardware and sub-assemblies for the space, missile, and hypersonic markets. Karman offers an unprecedented capability set to customers, creating a supply chain solution in a historically fragmented supply base. The Karman team draws on in-house expertise in engineering & design, precision machining, large part forming, welding, heat age, finishing, assembly, ablative & insulative composites, and other capabilities to serve as a strategic partner to customers. Karman is headquartered in greater Los Angeles and currently has 5 locations in Southern California, 1 location in Mukilteo, Washington and 1 location in Wilsonville, Oregon.
Compensation & Benefits
Karman is committed to equal employment opportunity. We will not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on any legally recognized basis (“protected class”) including, but not limited to race; color; religion; genetic information; national origin; sex; pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; age; disability; citizenship status; uniform servicemember status; or any other protected class under federal, state, or local law.
Our management is dedicated to ensuring the fulfillment of this policy with respect to hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, recruitment advertising, pay, and other forms of compensation, training, and general treatment during employment.
Other Requirements
The Sr. Manufacturing Engineer supports production with emphasis of design producibility, manufacturing process development and support, and oversees the transition of product to production including follow on support. The manufacturing engineering role is pivotal in developing methods of manufacture, work instructions and production line operations to ensure product quality is built into the final product. The Manufacturing Engineer position is focused at supporting engineering and manufacturing activity while continuing to build essential skills and experience.
About Us
KARMAN SPACE & DEFENSE: Karman is the market leading suppliers of metallic and composite flight hardware and sub-assemblies for the space, missile, and hypersonic markets. Karman offers an unprecedented capability set to customers, creating a supply chain solution in a historically fragmented supply base. The Karman team draws on in-house expertise in engineering & design, precision machining, large part forming, welding, heat age, finishing, assembly, ablative & insulative composites, and other capabilities to serve as a strategic partner to customers. Karman is headquartered in greater Los Angeles and currently has 5 locations in Southern California, 1 location in Mukilteo, Washington and 1 location in Wilsonville, Oregon.
Compensation & Benefits
- Medical, Dental, Vision
- Company Paid Life Insurance
- 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan
- Paid Time Off (PTO)
- Paid Holidays
- Tuition Reimbursement*
- Supports programs, products and engineering activities such as DFM
- Validates and monitors fabrication and production process and controls
- Designs, develops and implements all forms of fixtures, tools, and inspection gages to facilitate fabrication and assembly
- Generates, tracks and maintains bill of materials for assemblies, methods of manufacture and work/build instructions
- Instrumental in material and resource planning and coordinating with the Product team to ensure schedules are kept
- Reviews and modifies processes for improved flow and cost reduction throughout the company
- Assists with planning manufacturing workflow and space requirements
- Solves technical problems utilizing technical reference materials and various inspection tools and techniques
- May support prototype builds and evaluations of materials and processes
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Strong mechanical aptitude required, hands-on engineering experience in a fabrication and assembly shop environment is desired
- Ability to read blueprints, drawings, and technical diagrams
- Familiarity with basic material properties, in process verification and validation
- Proficient with production planning / ERP systems, such as Epicor.
- Must be a U.S. Citizen
- Bachelor’s degree in a related field required.
- At least five years of related experience required.
- Professional certification by the American Production and Inventory Control Society (APICS) preferred.
- Ability to read, speak and write in English.
- 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), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C.
- 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C.
- 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here .
- This position operates in a warehouse/shop/manufacturing environment.
- 10-15 % travel is required for this position.
Karman is committed to equal employment opportunity. We will not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on any legally recognized basis (“protected class”) including, but not limited to race; color; religion; genetic information; national origin; sex; pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; age; disability; citizenship status; uniform servicemember status; or any other protected class under federal, state, or local law.
Our management is dedicated to ensuring the fulfillment of this policy with respect to hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, recruitment advertising, pay, and other forms of compensation, training, and general treatment during employment.
Other Requirements
- U.S. citizenship required
