Lead, Material Process Engineering

About the role

L3Harris is seeking a talented Material Process Engineer to join our Missile Solutions team at our Canoga Park facility. This role supports critical aerospace and defense programs, including the RS-25 rocket engine and advanced missile systems.

Responsibilities

• Develop, qualify, and optimize manufacturing processes for aerospace and defense metallic materials including titanium alloys, nickel-based superalloys, stainless steels, high-strength steels, and aluminum alloys used in propulsion and missile system components
• Support production operations by troubleshooting process issues, implementing corrective actions, and driving continuous improvement initiatives
• Collaborate with design engineering, quality, and manufacturing teams to ensure producibility and cost-effectiveness across multiple defense programs
• Create and maintain process specifications, work instructions, and manufacturing documentation in compliance with program requirements
• Interface with suppliers to conduct engineering process approvals and support resolution of hardware quality issues
• Lead process validation activities and process capability studies to ensure manufacturing readiness
• Support new product introduction (NPI) activities from design review through production release
• Travel up to 25% to supplier facilities and other company locations as required

Requirements

• Basic Qualifications: Bachelor’s Degree and minimum 9 years of prior relevant engineering experience. Graduate Degree and a minimum of 7 years of prior related engineering experience. In lieu of a degree, minimum of 13 years of prior related engineering experience.
• Preferred Additional Skills: 5-9 years of experience in materials engineering or manufacturing process engineering within aerospace, defense, or related high-reliability industries; Bachelor's degree in Materials Science, Metallurgical Engineering, or related engineering discipline; Understanding and demonstrated experience of special processes (welding, heat treat, plating, shot peening, etc.) and their qualification requirements; Familiar with non-destructive testing (NDT) methods (ultrasonic, radiographic, penetrant, magnetic particle); Knowledge of aerospace materials including titanium alloys, nickel-based superalloys, stainless steels, high-strength steels, and aluminum alloy; Experience with additive manufacturing (3D printing) of metal components; Experience with metallurgical testing and characterization techniques; Knowledge of material specifications and standards (AMS, ASTM, MIL-SPEC); Experience with metallography and microstructural analysis; Familiarity with material traceability and certification requirements; Experience with materials selection and design for manufacturability (DFM); Knowledge of rocket engine, turbomachinery, or missile system manufacturing processes; Knowledge of corrosion mechanisms and prevention methods in aerospace applications; Experience with process FMEA (Failure Modes and Effects Analysis); Familiarity with statistical process control (SPC) and Six Sigma methodologies; Experience with Microsoft Project or other project management software; Familiarity with AS9100, NADCAP, or other aerospace quality management systems; Active Secret or Top Secret security clearance

Qualifications

• Basic Qualifications: Bachelor’s Degree and minimum 9 years of prior relevant engineering experience. Graduate Degree and a minimum of 7 years of prior related engineering experience. In lieu of a degree, minimum of 13 years of prior related engineering experience.
• Preferred Additional Skills: 5-9 years of experience in materials engineering or manufacturing process engineering within aerospace, defense, or related high-reliability industries; Bachelor's degree in Materials Science, Metallurgical Engineering, or related engineering discipline; Understanding and demonstrated experience of special processes (welding, heat treat, plating, shot peening, etc.) and their qualification requirements; Familiar with non-destructive testing (NDT) methods (ultrasonic, radiographic, penetrant, magnetic particle); Knowledge of aerospace materials including titanium alloys, nickel-based superalloys, stainless steels, high-strength steels, and aluminum alloy; Experience with additive manufacturing (3D printing) of metal components; Experience with metallurgical testing and characterization techniques; Knowledge of material specifications and standards (AMS, ASTM, MIL-SPEC); Experience with metallography and microstructural analysis; Familiarity with material traceability and certification requirements; Experience with materials selection and design for manufacturability (DFM); Knowledge of rocket engine, turbomachinery, or missile system manufacturing processes; Knowledge of corrosion mechanisms and prevention methods in aerospace applications; Experience with process FMEA (Failure Modes and Effects Analysis); Familiarity with statistical process control (SPC) and Six Sigma methodologies; Experience with Microsoft Project or other project management software; Familiarity with AS9100, NADCAP, or other aerospace quality management systems; Active Secret or Top Secret security clearance

Skills

• Basic Qualifications: Bachelor’s Degree and minimum 9 years of prior relevant engineering experience. Graduate Degree and a minimum of 7 years of prior related engineering experience. In lieu of a degree, minimum of 13 years of prior related engineering experience.
• Preferred Additional Skills: 5-9 years of experience in materials engineering or manufacturing process engineering within aerospace, defense, or related high-reliability industries; Bachelor's degree in Materials Science, Metallurgical Engineering, or related engineering discipline; Understanding and demonstrated experience of special processes (welding, heat treat, plating, shot peening, etc.) and their qualification requirements; Familiar with non-destructive testing (NDT) methods (ultrasonic, radiographic, penetrant, magnetic particle); Knowledge of aerospace materials including titanium alloys, nickel-based superalloys, stainless steels, high-strength steels, and aluminum alloy; Experience with additive manufacturing (3D printing) of metal components; Experience with metallurgical testing and characterization techniques; Knowledge of material specifications and standards (AMS, ASTM, MIL-SPEC); Experience with metallography and microstructural analysis; Familiarity with material traceability and certification requirements; Experience with materials selection and design for manufacturability (DFM); Knowledge of rocket engine, turbomachinery, or missile system manufacturing processes; Knowledge of corrosion mechanisms and prevention methods in aerospace applications; Experience with process FMEA (Failure Modes and Effects Analysis); Familiarity with statistical process control (SPC) and Six Sigma methodologies; Experience with Microsoft Project or other project management software; Familiarity with AS9100, NADCAP, or other aerospace quality management systems; Active Secret or Top Secret security clearance

Benefits

• Health and disability insurance
• 401(k) match
• Flexible spending accounts
• EAP
• Education assistance
• Paid time off
• Company-paid holidays

Pay

The salary range for this role in California is $122,000 - $227,000. Final offer amount may vary based on factors including but not limited to experience and geographic location.

Schedule

Employees work 9 out of every 14 days – totaling 80 hours worked – and have every other Friday off.