Manufacturing Engineer Jobs in Los Angeles, CA
Manufacturing engineer jobs in Los Angeles are concentrated in the aerospace and defense corridor along the South Bay, the industrial zones of Vernon and Commerce, and the advanced manufacturing hubs near Carson and Torrance. Demand is steady across aerospace components, medical devices, and consumer electronics, with K2 Space, Freeform, and inversion among those actively hiring. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 651+ Manufacturing Engineer jobs
K2 is building the largest and highest-power satellites ever flown, unlocking performance levels previously out of reach across every orbit. Backed by over $1 billion in total funding from leading investors including Altimeter Capital, ICONIQ, Kleiner Perkins, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Redpoint Ventures, and T. Rowe Price — and with over $1 billion in signed contracts across commercial and US government customers, we're mass-producing the highest-power satellite platforms ever built for missions from LEO to deep space.
The rise of heavy-lift launch vehicles is shifting the industry from an era of mass constraint to one of mass abundance, and we believe this new era demands a fundamentally different class of spacecraft. Engineered to survive the harshest radiation environments and to fully capitalize on today's and tomorrow's massive rockets, K2 satellites deliver unmatched capability at constellation scale and across multiple orbits.
With multiple launches in 2027 and plans to scale to 100 satellites a year, we're Building Bigger — helping develop the solar system and build toward a Kardashev Type II (K2) civilization. If you are a motivated individual who thrives in a fast-paced environment and you're excited about contributing to the success of a high-growth Series D-funded company, we'd love for you to apply.
The Role
Partnering with Mechanisms Engineering team early in the process, you will ensure manufacturability, build the first prototype, design the build flow and fixturing, and finalize the process for transition to production. Once transitioned, you will have the opportunity to make a positive impact scaling production to meet K2's ever-growing demand. You will test out new techniques for manufacturing complex mechanisms such as rotational actuators, separation mechanisms, gimbals, reaction wheel assemblies, among other electromechanical assemblies. In your first 6 months you will develop manufacturing methods and tooling for the mechanisms, define manufacturing flows for mechanisms subsystems, build test articles to support the Mechanisms Engineering team's development and qualification test campaigns, and collaborate with them to provide Design-for-Excellence (DFX) guidance across mechanisms, machined components, and higher-level assemblies. In your first year you will implement these advanced manufacturing techniques on flight hardware and transition the technology you develop to high-rate production.
Responsibilities
- Experience providing design-for-excellence (DFX) guidance to design teams with mechanical design engineers to ensure design guidance for initial design, flight hardware, and tooling
- Develop innovative manufacturing systems for large spacecraft mechanisms, including electromechanical sub-assemblies, harnessing, welded/bolted structures, and mechanisms
- Create custom tools and processes to support the manufacturing technologies you create including Manufacturing Execution System (MES) software
- Demonstrate the advanced manufacturing techniques on prototypes, working with the design teams to improve the manufacturability of the designs
- Develop the subassembly build flow and iterate to create an efficient production flow for the satellite
- Partner with a team of advanced manufacturing engineers to perform R&D of novel manufacturing technologies for current and future spacecraft products
- Build test articles and support the Mechanisms Engineering team's development and qualification test campaigns, iterating on hardware and processes as test results come in
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in electrical, mechanical, aerospace, or other relevant engineering discipline
- 3+ years of experience in a high volume, rapid production environment in a manufacturing, integration, and/or design engineering role
- Experience with mechanisms-specific industry standards such as NASA-STD-5017 (Design and Development Requirements for Mechanisms) and AIAA S-114 (Moving Mechanical Assemblies for Space and Launch Vehicles), as well as familiarity with the environmental qualification standards (SMC-S-016, GSFC-STD-7000)
- Experience providing design-for-excellence (DFX) guidance to design teams across mechanisms, machined components, and mechanical assemblies
- Demonstrated results with product development and/or process improvements
- Experience setting up a manufacturing/production floor for first article builds
- Experience designing and implementing technologies for mechanisms manufacturing including wire harness manufacturing and complex mechanical assembly
- Experience with GD&T and mechanical assembly drawings, with the ability to review and provide feedback on electrical and mechanical designs
Nice to Have
- Familiarity with precision bearing standards (e.g., ABMA) and bearing preload techniques and measurement, as used in rotational actuators, gimbals, and reaction wheel assemblies
- Experience designing tooling for mechanical subassemblies and electromechanical subassemblies
- Experience designing hardware for manufacturability
- Demonstrated experience developing production processes from the ground up including driving design improvements for manufacturing
- Experience working closely with technicians and building tooling
- Experience with aerospace manufacturing standards such as torque specifications, welding standards, and quality assurance standards
- Familiarity with CAD software (NX or equivalent)
- Experience working with MES to set up the foundation for procedure creation and documenting non-conformance
- Some Experience with wire harness manufacturing and integration
Compensation and Benefits:
- Base salary range for this role is $100,000 – $140,000 + equity in the company
- Salary will be based on several factors including, but not limited to: knowledge and skills, education, and experience level
- Comprehensive benefits package including paid time off, medical/dental/vision/ coverage, life insurance, paid parental leave, and many other perks
If you don't meet 100% of the preferred skills and experience, we encourage you to still apply! Building a spacecraft unlike any other requires a team unlike any other and non-traditional career twists and turns are encouraged!
If you need a reasonable accommodation as part of your application for employment or interviews with us, please let us know.
Export Compliance
As defined in the ITAR, "U.S. Persons" include U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents (i.e., Green Card holders), and certain protected individuals (e.g., refugees/asylees, American Samoans). Please consult with a knowledgeable advisor if you are unsure whether you are a "U.S. Person."
The person hired for this role will have access to information and items controlled by U.S. export control regulations, including the export control regulations outlined in the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR). The person hired for this role must therefore either be a "U.S. person" as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.15 or otherwise eligible for a federally issued export control license.
Equal Opportunity
K2 Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with K2 Space is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
K2 is building the largest and highest-power satellites ever flown, unlocking performance levels previously out of reach across every orbit. Backed by over $1 billion in total funding from leading investors including Altimeter Capital, ICONIQ, Kleiner Perkins, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Redpoint Ventures, and T. Rowe Price — and with over $1 billion in signed contracts across commercial and US government customers, we're mass-producing the highest-power satellite platforms ever built for missions from LEO to deep space.
The rise of heavy-lift launch vehicles is shifting the industry from an era of mass constraint to one of mass abundance, and we believe this new era demands a fundamentally different class of spacecraft. Engineered to survive the harshest radiation environments and to fully capitalize on today's and tomorrow's massive rockets, K2 satellites deliver unmatched capability at constellation scale and across multiple orbits.
With multiple launches in 2027 and plans to scale to 100 satellites a year, we're Building Bigger — helping develop the solar system and build toward a Kardashev Type II (K2) civilization. If you are a motivated individual who thrives in a fast-paced environment and you're excited about contributing to the success of a high-growth Series D-funded company, we'd love for you to apply.
The Role
Partnering with Mechanisms Engineering team early in the process, you will ensure manufacturability, build the first prototype, design the build flow and fixturing, and finalize the process for transition to production. Once transitioned, you will have the opportunity to make a positive impact scaling production to meet K2's ever-growing demand. You will test out new techniques for manufacturing complex mechanisms such as rotational actuators, separation mechanisms, gimbals, reaction wheel assemblies, among other electromechanical assemblies. In your first 6 months you will develop manufacturing methods and tooling for the mechanisms, define manufacturing flows for mechanisms subsystems, build test articles to support the Mechanisms Engineering team's development and qualification test campaigns, and collaborate with them to provide Design-for-Excellence (DFX) guidance across mechanisms, machined components, and higher-level assemblies. In your first year you will implement these advanced manufacturing techniques on flight hardware and transition the technology you develop to high-rate production.
Responsibilities
- Experience providing design-for-excellence (DFX) guidance to design teams with mechanical design engineers to ensure design guidance for initial design, flight hardware, and tooling
- Develop innovative manufacturing systems for large spacecraft mechanisms, including electromechanical sub-assemblies, harnessing, welded/bolted structures, and mechanisms
- Create custom tools and processes to support the manufacturing technologies you create including Manufacturing Execution System (MES) software
- Demonstrate the advanced manufacturing techniques on prototypes, working with the design teams to improve the manufacturability of the designs
- Develop the subassembly build flow and iterate to create an efficient production flow for the satellite
- Partner with a team of advanced manufacturing engineers to perform R&D of novel manufacturing technologies for current and future spacecraft products
- Build test articles and support the Mechanisms Engineering team's development and qualification test campaigns, iterating on hardware and processes as test results come in
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in electrical, mechanical, aerospace, or other relevant engineering discipline
- 3+ years of experience in a high volume, rapid production environment in a manufacturing, integration, and/or design engineering role
- Experience with mechanisms-specific industry standards such as NASA-STD-5017 (Design and Development Requirements for Mechanisms) and AIAA S-114 (Moving Mechanical Assemblies for Space and Launch Vehicles), as well as familiarity with the environmental qualification standards (SMC-S-016, GSFC-STD-7000)
- Experience providing design-for-excellence (DFX) guidance to design teams across mechanisms, machined components, and mechanical assemblies
- Demonstrated results with product development and/or process improvements
- Experience setting up a manufacturing/production floor for first article builds
- Experience designing and implementing technologies for mechanisms manufacturing including wire harness manufacturing and complex mechanical assembly
- Experience with GD&T and mechanical assembly drawings, with the ability to review and provide feedback on electrical and mechanical designs
Nice to Have
- Familiarity with precision bearing standards (e.g., ABMA) and bearing preload techniques and measurement, as used in rotational actuators, gimbals, and reaction wheel assemblies
- Experience designing tooling for mechanical subassemblies and electromechanical subassemblies
- Experience designing hardware for manufacturability
- Demonstrated experience developing production processes from the ground up including driving design improvements for manufacturing
- Experience working closely with technicians and building tooling
- Experience with aerospace manufacturing standards such as torque specifications, welding standards, and quality assurance standards
- Familiarity with CAD software (NX or equivalent)
- Experience working with MES to set up the foundation for procedure creation and documenting non-conformance
- Some Experience with wire harness manufacturing and integration
Compensation and Benefits:
- Base salary range for this role is $100,000 – $140,000 + equity in the company
- Salary will be based on several factors including, but not limited to: knowledge and skills, education, and experience level
- Comprehensive benefits package including paid time off, medical/dental/vision/ coverage, life insurance, paid parental leave, and many other perks
If you don't meet 100% of the preferred skills and experience, we encourage you to still apply! Building a spacecraft unlike any other requires a team unlike any other and non-traditional career twists and turns are encouraged!
If you need a reasonable accommodation as part of your application for employment or interviews with us, please let us know.
Export Compliance
As defined in the ITAR, "U.S. Persons" include U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents (i.e., Green Card holders), and certain protected individuals (e.g., refugees/asylees, American Samoans). Please consult with a knowledgeable advisor if you are unsure whether you are a "U.S. Person."
The person hired for this role will have access to information and items controlled by U.S. export control regulations, including the export control regulations outlined in the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR). The person hired for this role must therefore either be a "U.S. person" as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.15 or otherwise eligible for a federally issued export control license.
Equal Opportunity
K2 Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with K2 Space is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
See All 651+ Manufacturing Engineer Jobs in Los Angeles
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Find Manufacturing Engineer JobsManufacturing Engineer Job Market in Los Angeles
Who's Hiring
- K2 Space163
- Freeform72
- inversion72
- MACH INDUSTRIES72
- Arcturus54
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software
- Consulting & Professional Services
Manufacturing Engineer Jobs in Los Angeles: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a manufacturing engineer job in Los Angeles?
Focus your search on the aerospace and defense sector in the South Bay, medical device companies clustered around the greater Los Angeles basin, and consumer electronics manufacturers in the region. Candidates with experience in lean manufacturing, DFM, or AS9100 quality systems stand out here. Attending local Society of Manufacturing Engineers chapter events and building connections at companies in Torrance, Carson, and Vernon can accelerate your job search considerably.
Which companies hire manufacturing engineers in Los Angeles?
Los Angeles manufacturing engineer roles are posted by K2 Space, Freeform, and inversion and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. The Los Angeles market includes a strong mix of large aerospace primes, defense contractors, and mid-size medical device and industrial equipment manufacturers spread across the South Bay and eastern industrial corridors.
How can I get a manufacturing engineer job in Los Angeles with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path in Los Angeles is targeting manufacturing engineer associate or process technician roles at aerospace suppliers and defense subcontractors in the South Bay, which often hire recent engineering graduates. Community college co-op programs through institutions like El Camino College feed directly into local manufacturers. Familiarity with SolidWorks, GD&T, or lean principles gives candidates a clear edge over applicants with only coursework and no hands-on exposure.
Which industries hire the most manufacturing engineers in Los Angeles?
Most manufacturing engineer openings in Los Angeles sit in Technology & Software and Consulting & Professional Services, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Los Angeles's legacy as an aerospace hub and its growing medical device sector drive sustained demand, with defense contracts and commercial aviation supply chains keeping hiring active across the South Bay and surrounding industrial areas.
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See All 651+ Manufacturing Engineer Jobs in Los Angeles
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