Aerospace Manufacturing Engineer (AIT)- Permian Basin, TX

Key Responsibilities

• Execute and optimize build processes for spacecraft hardware including structures, mechanical assemblies, deployment hardware, actuators, and precision components.
• Develop and maintain work instructions, build documentation, and production travelers to support efficient, repeatable assembly operations.
• Support AIT technicians on the manufacturing floor by resolving build blockers, improving processes, and ensuring hardware meets engineering requirements.
• Develop, qualify, and operate tooling, jigs, fixtures, and ground support equipment (GSE) for assembly, integration, vibration, shock, and thermal testing.
• Analyze production and test data; establish pass/fail criteria and support spacecraft integration and launch readiness.
• Lead and support root-cause analysis and corrective action (RCCA) for build issues, test anomalies, and non-conformances; drive design-for-manufacturability (DFM) feedback to engineering.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with design, quality, supply chain, and technicians to ensure manufacturability, quality, and throughput from prototype to mass production.
• Recommend process improvements to reduce build time, increase reliability, and enhance product flow across production lines.

Qualifications

• 2-5 years of hands-on experience in aerospace manufacturing, mechanical assembly, production engineering, or AIT of mechanical/electromechanical hardware.
• Proficiency in manufacturing processes, assembly operations, mechanical integration, and hardware testing.
• Experience with CAD tools (SolidWorks, Creo) and test equipment (oscilloscopes, thermal chambers, metrology tools).
• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Manufacturing, Mechanical, Industrial, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent practical experience.
• Strong understanding of GD&T, beam loading, torque application, tolerance stack-ups, and precision assembly practices.
• Demonstrated problem-solving abilities and experience supporting failure investigations or process issues.
• Flexibility for occasional weekend and early morning work (e.g., 4 AM deployments).

Pay

Salary Range: $85,000 – $140,000 (depending on experience)

Benefits

• Comprehensive Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO, Sick Leave as required by law, and Holidays
• Additional Benefits: 10K relocation bonus + 5K temporary housing allowance, RSUs, $750- $1000 monthly Stipend, and Unlimited PTO (after 90 days)

Location

100% onsite in West TX

Keywords

• Manufacturing engineering
• aerospace manufacturing
• spacecraft production
• AIT (assembly integration and test)
• mechanical assembly
• electromechanical assembly
• deployment hardware
• spacecraft structures
• tooling design
• fixture development
• ground support equipment (GSE)
• production optimization
• build processes
• work instructions
• manufacturing documentation
• process improvement
• DFM, DFA, GD&T, tolerance stack-up, alignment verification, torque application, quality assurance, RCCA, root cause analysis, non-conformance resolution, data analysis, test operations, vibration testing, thermal vacuum testing, Creo, SolidWorks, metrology tools, manufacturing equipment, high-rate production, supply chain collaboration, cross-functional teamwork, precision assemblies, aerospace hardware, continuous improvement, production readiness, assembly troubleshooting, launch operations support