Manufacturing Engineering Technician III

Job Description

The Manufacturing Engineering Technician III role at Aero Vironment involves a blend of responsibilities across manufacturing engineering, engineering development, new product introduction (NPI), and tooling design. The successful candidate will be hands‑on in the early stages of building new engineering product prototypes, as well as Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) and Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) builds. This individual supports Design for Excellence (DFX), and designs and implements tooling and fixtures with the aid of drafting resources.

They will ensure that learnings from early product builds are integrated into a production‑ready package. This role supports the key step in transitioning new product introductions into mature full‑rate production stages. Additionally, the candidate must possess excellent collaboration skills to ensure continuous feedback with various engineering teams and production staff.

Contractor

• Hands‑on building and assembly of early units of new products with engineering support.
• Conduct mechanical, electrical, and composite fabrication, troubleshooting, repair, and testing of integrated systems.
• Ensure a smooth transition from product development to manufacturing, focusing on quality, reliability and cost.
• Work effectively with engineering teams and production staff to provide and receive continuous, regular feedback.
• Provide rapid prototyping fabrication and assembly services to build prototype product hardware.
• Design, develop, and implement tooling, including assembly fixtures, fabrication fixtures, and molds.
• Support DFX, cost, and reliability analysis initiatives in collaboration with design engineering teams.
• Develop and maintain manufacturing processes, including creating and updating work instructions, assembly procedures, and supporting documentation.
• Lead efforts in lean manufacturing and Six Sigma methodology to achieve continuous improvement in productivity, quality, and lead times.
• Incorporate lessons learned from NPI and early product builds into efficient production processes.
• Implement ergonomic design considerations to ensure safe, effective, and productive tool usage.
• Maintain shop equipment and tools in a safe, clean, and organized environment for development and production activities.
• Track and report Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), including build linearity and transition rates from NPI to full production.
• Work on problems of diverse scope requiring analysis of identifiable factors.

• High School diploma or GED equivalent and/or equivalent certificate from a technical school.
• 4–6 years of experience in Manufacturing, Mechanical, Electrical, or Test Engineering, with experience in Aerospace, Automotive, or Commercial industries.
• Experience in Lean Manufacturing principles and Six Sigma methodology.
• Proficiency with electro‑mechanical manufacturing and procedures.
• Exposure to engineering drawings and Bill of Materials.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) and CAD software (Solid Works preferred).
• Occasional travel required (up to 10%).

• Experience in sheet metal fabrication, plastics, composite layups, PCB assembly, mechanical assembly, calibration, and testing processes.
• Strong problem‑solving ability, root cause analysis skills, and ability to work independently.
• High levels of initiative, ownership, and responsibility for work products.
• Commitment to continuous learning and improvement.
• Effective time management, analytical, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• Teamwork and collaboration‑oriented mindset.

• Ability to work in both office and manufacturing environments.
• Required to sit and stand for long periods, talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard.
• Capable of lifting up to 50 pounds and handling varying sizes and shapes of parts.
• Compliance with safety standards and guidelines.

• Work is in an office environment, climate controlled through central air conditioning/heating.

No Clearance

This…