Manufacturing Engineer

At Forterra, we are unleashing autonomy at scale to transform the battlefield. Our mission is to build the foundational platforms that enable an intelligent ecosystem to coordinate, adapt, and execute with speed and precision even in the uncertainty and disruption of modern conflict. In an era marked by rapid technological change and evolving threats, we design for flexibility, survivability, and operational dominance. Forterra delivers weapons, sensors, and battlefield effects through integrated autonomous networks reaching operational areas faster, safer, and without placing human lives at risk. Our systems operate with distributed control, dynamic routing, and real-time responsiveness, enabling sustained advantage across complex mission environments.

About the role

As a Manufacturing Engineer, you’ll be responsible for developing, validating, and optimizing integration processes for autonomous vehicle systems—from prototype through full-rate production. You’ll collaborate closely with design, systems, integration, and production teams to bring new solutions to life and ensure they’re built right, every time.

Responsibilities

• Act as the manufacturing liaison between engineering and production teams, ensuring a smooth transition from concept to repeatable builds.
• Provide hands-on engineering support to troubleshoot and resolve technical problems in production.
• Create and maintain process documentation: work instructions, torque specs, visual aids, and build checklists. To include Process Flow Diagrams, PFMEAs, and Control Plans.
• Lead DFM/DFA reviews and provide actionable feedback to design and integration engineers.
• Support prototype builds and evolve them into production-ready processes with clear documentation and quality controls.
• Improve manufacturing efficiency by analyzing and planning workflow, space requirements, and equipment layout. This includes driving product waste reductions.
• Lead continuous improvement activities as applicable.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, or Industrial Engineering (or related field).
• 3–6 years of hands-on experience in a manufacturing engineering role, ideally with exposure to both low-volume prototyping and scalable production.
• Experience creating and maintaining detailed build documentation.
• Background in automotive, aerospace, robotics, or similar system-level integration environments.
• Proven ability to design, iterate, and validate processes across mechanical and electrical domains.
• Excellent communication skills—you can translate engineering requirements into technician-friendly instructions.
• Self-starter with strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work cross-functionally in fast-paced settings.
• Knowledgeable in using 8D problem solving to troubleshoot and solve complex technical problems.
• Solid understanding of mechanical and electrical assembly processes, including torque specs, fixturing, and connector systems.
• Proficiency with CAD (e.g., Inventor, SolidWorks, Creo) and documentation tools.
• Comfort working in shop/lab environments and directly supporting build teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with autonomous vehicle hardware or similar sensor/compute integrations.
• Exposure to low-volume, high-mix production environments.
• Experience with leading root cause analysis, PFMEA development, and familiarity with Six Sigma/Lean tools.
• Passion for building things that actually ship—and a desire to help others do the same.
• Experience with tooling/die design development to include check fixtures.

Pay

US Salary Range: $115,000—$140,000

Benefits

• Premium Healthcare Benefits: Three plan options, including an HSA-eligible plan, with Forterra covering 80% of the plan premium for you and your dependents.
• Basic Life/AD&D, short and long-term disability insurance plans 100% covered by Forterra, plus the option to purchase additional life insurance for you and your dependents.
• Extremely generous company holiday calendar including a winter break in December.
• Competitive paid time off (PTO) offering 20 days accrued per year.
• A minimum of 7 weeks fully paid parental leave for birth/adoption.
• A $9k annual tuition reimbursement or professional development stipend.
• Fully stocked beverage refrigerators with all the Celsius your little heart desires.
• 401(k) retirement savings plan, including traditional, Roth 401(k), and after-tax deferral with company match up to 4%.
• Equity in Forterra is included in most of our full-time, high-demand roles and is therefore considered part of Forterra’s overall compensation package.

This position may require eligibility to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance.