Manufacturing Engineer III

Role details

Karman Space & Defense is a leader in the rapid design, development, and production of critical, next-generation system solutions that align with the U.S. Department of War and its allies’ core mission priorities, and meet the accelerating demand for access to space. Building on nearly 50 years of success, we deliver Payload & Protection Systems, Aero/Hydrodynamic Interstage Systems, and Propulsion & Launch Systems to more than 80 prime contractors supporting over 130 space and defense programs.

This role is part of our Tactical Missiles and Integrated Defense Systems business, which designs and develops integrated missile and defense systems that support critical missions across air, land, and sea. We combine comprehensive analysis, engineering, and program execution capabilities to deliver mission-tailored solutions that reduce lead times, lower costs, and simplify complex multi-vendor supply chains. Backed by decades of flight-proven and fielded performance, we design and build mission-critical technologies including launch systems, propulsion, payload integration solutions, UAV components, missile subsystems, and Safe & Arm systems.

The Composites Manufacturing Engineer III develops and evaluates composite aerospace products and manufacturing processes. This role supports producibility reviews, tooling design, documentation development, problem solving, and customer collaboration to ensure products and processes meet technical, quality, and program requirements.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day status of assigned engineering and manufacturing activities to meet program and customer requirements.
• Review customer drawings and specifications to evaluate producibility and identify improvements for cost-effective fabrication.
• Formulate conceptual product designs that satisfy customer and system requirements.
• Develop manufacturing process documentation for composite parts and assemblies.
• Design or review required tooling to meet production rate and quality needs.
• Act as a subject matter expert and technical interface with customers for status updates, reviews, and problem-resolution discussions.
• Support root-cause analysis and contribute to corrective action development for nonconformances.
• Perform peer reviews of build documentation and tooling designs.
• Develop detailed proposals in support of customer requests for quotation or information.

Required Qualifications

• 5 years of experience in aerospace manufacturing or composite design.
• Experience with composite manufacturing methodologies; autoclave or press molding experience is a plus.
• Knowledge of mid-size corporate processes and systems.
• Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) and blueprint reading expertise.
• Proficiency in modeling and drafting.
• Experience designing molds, assembly fixtures, machining fixtures, or other tooling used for composite processing.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and specifications.
• Experience with design-for-manufacturing and assembly for low-rate and rate production programs.
• Knowledge of developing composite parts and assemblies for military or commercial systems.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities across concurrent projects.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• One-on-one customer support experience.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and root-cause analysis skills with attention to detail.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• A current U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Secret security clearance or the ability to obtain and maintain one.

Special Mentions

• Occasional travel (0–10%) may be required.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off
• Health Savings Account (HSA) with company contribution
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Company-paid life and AD&D insurance
• Short- and long-term disability coverage
• Tuition reimbursement

Karman Space and Defense is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.