Manufacturing Engineer

AAA United States, Inc. has partnered with a company in Kinston, North Carolina that is one of the worlds largest manufacturers of aerostructures for commercial airplanes, defense platforms, and business/regional jets. With expertise in aluminum and advanced composite manufacturing solutions, the company’s core products include fuselages, integrated wings and wing components, pylons, and nacelles.

The Manufacturing Engineer will support the design, development, and implementation of manufacturing processes for composite aerospace components, focusing on panels, spars, and sub-assemblies. This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to high-profile aerospace projects with cutting-edge technology, ensuring production efficiency, quality, and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities:

• Process Design & Optimization: Develop, evaluate, and improve manufacturing processes for composite materials and assemblies, focusing on efficiency, quality, and cost-effectiveness.
• Technical Documentation: Create and update technical work instructions, manufacturing plans, and engineering documents to guide production teams in composite panel and spar fabrication.
• Tooling & Equipment: Design, specify, and implement tooling and equipment required for composite assembly and sub-assembly processes, ensuring compatibility with requirements.
• Lean Manufacturing: Apply Lean principles to streamline manufacturing processes, reduce waste, and increase overall productivity. Implement continuous improvement initiatives.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Work closely with design, production, quality, and supply chain teams to resolve issues, optimize processes, and maintain product quality.
• Root Cause Analysis: Identify and troubleshoot production challenges, conducting root cause analysis, and implementing corrective actions to ensure timely project delivery and adherence to engineering specifications.
• Quality & Compliance: Ensure manufacturing processes comply with quality standards, regulatory requirements, and customer specifications.
• Vendor & Supplier Interface: Collaborate with external vendors and suppliers on the procurement and qualification of composite materials, tooling, and equipment.
• Production Support: Provide daily support to the manufacturing floor to address technical issues, process deviations, and any engineering-related challenges.
• Data Analysis & Reporting: Monitor production metrics, collect and analyze data, and prepare reports on production performance, process improvements, and technical issues.

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of experience as a Manufacturing Engineer, preferably in aerospace manufacturing with a focus on composite materials.
• Proven experience in process development, tooling design, and manufacturing support for complex assemblies.
• Experience with Airbus manufacturing processes and standards is a strong plus.

Technical Skills:

• Proficiency in CATIA or other CAD software for designing tooling, layouts, and manufacturing processes.
• Strong knowledge of composite materials and aerospace manufacturing techniques.
• Familiarity with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and other continuous improvement methodologies.
• Proficiency in reading and interpreting engineering drawings, blueprints, and specifications.

Problem-solving & Analytical Skills:

• Demonstrated ability to perform root cause analysis and resolve complex manufacturing issues.
• Strong project management skills to handle multiple projects simultaneously and meet tight deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications:

Aerospace Experience:

• Prior experience working on Airbus projects or within a similar aerospace environment is highly preferred.

Certifications:

• Six Sigma Green or Black Belt certification is a plus.
• AS9100 or other quality-related certifications are desirable.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field is required.