Lead Manufacturing Engineer

Albany Engineered Composites (AEC) is one of the most technically advanced designers and manufacturers of lightweight composite aerospace structures, subassemblies and components. For more than 50 years, AEC has innovated advanced composite solutions for defense and commercial industries in applications from large commercial transports to fighter jets and commercial and military rotorcraft.

Our composite design and fabrication expertise can be found on many commercial platforms such as Boeing’s 7‑series family, the Airbus A380 aircraft, and Sikorsky S‑76 helicopter. For defense programs, AEC provides a wide range of products including complete structural assemblies, flight‑critical components, primary and secondary structural elements for platforms such as the F‑35 Lightning II, the CH‑53K Heavy‑lift Helicopter and the Joint Air‑to‑Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM).

AEC is committed to delivering high‑quality, economical composite solutions to our customers. Significant investment in infrastructure and automation ensures AEC is positioned to maximize that value, offering the right processes to meet our customer’s needs.

The Manufacturing Engineer Lead will oversee a multidisciplinary team of manufacturing engineers, serving as the primary weekend engineering resource responsible for implementing, maintaining, and optimizing controlled manufacturing processes for the finishing and assembly of aircraft structures composed of advanced composite materials. The lead will collaborate closely with operations, quality, and tooling teams to enhance efficiency, solve technical challenges, and drive continuous improvement in layup, curing, machining, inspection, finishing, and structural assembly.

• Lead and mentor a team of manufacturing engineers on the weekend shift, providing guidance across various processes including layup, cure, machining, inspection, painting, and assembly of composite structures.
• Serve as the primary engineering support for finishing operations (paint, edge seal, identification) and aircraft structural assembly.
• Collaborate with weekday ME leads and Project Engineers to ensure seamless support for ongoing operations and program requirements during the weekend shift.
• Maintain up‑to‑date assembly process documentation and manage revisions within Product Data Management (PDM) systems.
• Analyze nonconforming parts/structures, providing dispositions in compliance with customer specifications.
• Conduct root cause analyses and corrective action investigations to resolve manufacturing defects.
• Diagnose and address process defects promptly to minimize production downtime.
• Review model‑based definitions, part/assembly datasheets, and customer specifications to establish shop order instructions and guide repairs for defective parts.
• Identify and implement process improvement initiatives aimed at enhancing safety, quality, and production efficiency.
• Develop and maintain Process Failure Mode and Effects Analyses (PFMEAs).

Weekend

Salaried Exempt

• Minimum 5 years of experience in manufacturing engineering or a related discipline.
• Experience in leadership or team management preferred.
• Proficiency in developing and optimizing manufacturing processes with a foundational understanding of lean manufacturing principles.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to effectively engage technicians, engineers, and management on technical matters.
• Competency in documentation, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Preferred experience in finishing, drilling, bonding, or composite material processing.
• Additional experience in building and production processes is a plus.
• Familiarity with Catia V5, GD&T, Windchill PDM, and SAP is advantageous.

• Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
• As a Department of Defense Contractor we are required to hire US Persons.
• Visa sponsorship is not being offered.

Top‑notch benefits program including generous 401(k) match, paid time off, and a strong commitment to work/life balance.

Apply at

We follow OFCCP guidelines for accepting applications.

We are an equal opportunity employer. Minority/Female/Disabled/Veteran.

Except where prohibited by state law, all offers of employment are conditioned upon successfully passing a drug test.

This employer uses E‑Verify.

Mid‑Senior level

Full‑time

Engineering and Information Technology

Aviation and Aerospace Component Manufacturing