Manufacturing Engineering Manager Jobs
Manufacturing Engineering Manager jobs are open across automotive, aerospace, medical devices, consumer electronics, and industrial manufacturing, from senior engineer to director level, with specializations in process optimization, lean manufacturing, and new product introduction. Find a role that fits from the openings below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 806+ Manufacturing Engineering Manager jobs
Worker Type
Regular
Job Description
Summary
The Manufacturing Engineering Manager leads the manufacturing engineering function supporting AeroVironment’s Unmanned Air Vehicle production operations. This position provides strategic and hands-on leadership for the development, implementation, qualification, and continuous improvement of manufacturing systems, processes, equipment, tooling, and documentation. The manager is accountable for manufacturing readiness, process capability, capacity planning, capital resources, team performance, and continuous improvement across production operations.
Position Responsibilities
- Lead, mentor, and develop the manufacturing engineering team; assign work, establish priorities, support career development, and manage performance.
- Establish manufacturing engineering strategies, standards, priorities, and performance objectives aligned with company and program requirements.
- Plan, design, and continuously improve manufacturing systems, production processes, and facility capabilities for Unmanned Air Vehicle production.
- Develop manufacturing strategies and capacity models for new and existing products, including capital equipment and infrastructure requirements.
- Direct the specification, development, qualification, implementation, and support of assembly and test equipment.
- Oversee equipment specifications, qualification records, support plans, work instructions, assembly procedures, and other manufacturing documentation.
- Lead Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma initiatives to improve productivity, quality, throughput, yield, cost, cycle time, and lead time.
- Sponsor Value Stream Mapping and other process-improvement activities to reduce waste, variation, cycle time, and production losses.
- Lead the development and cost estimation of tooling, fixtures, automation, and other manufacturing resources.
- Direct Make/Buy analyses in collaboration with cross-functional teams.
- Provide manufacturing engineering input to new product development, including Design for Manufacturing, cost, reliability, producibility, and process-risk assessments.
- Partner with Design Engineering, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, Test Engineering, and Program Management to support production readiness, product introduction, ramp-up, process validation, and manufacturing transfer.
- Provide technical leadership for applicable electro-mechanical processes, including mechanical assembly, printed circuit board assembly, calibration, testing, sheet metal fabrication, plastics, and composite layups.
- Identify manufacturing risks and lead root-cause analysis and corrective-action activities related to processes, equipment, materials, capacity, tooling, suppliers, quality, and productivity.
- Manage manufacturing engineering budgets, capital requisitions, resource plans, and project schedules.
- Coordinate with suppliers and contract manufacturers to support process readiness and ensure receipt of conforming parts and assemblies.
- Communicate manufacturing status, risks, capacity constraints, improvement results, and resource requirements to leadership.
- Promote ownership, accountability, teamwork, continuous learning, innovation, and disciplined execution.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience)
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related technical field; equivalent education, training, and experience may be considered.
- 8 or more years of progressive experience in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Test Engineering, Operations Engineering, or a related field.
- 3 or more years of demonstrated experience leading or managing manufacturing engineering teams or cross-functional technical teams.
- Experience in aerospace, defense, automotive, commercial manufacturing, or another highly regulated manufacturing environment.
- Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing principles and Six Sigma methodologies.
- Experience with electro-mechanical manufacturing, engineering drawings, manufacturing procedures, bills of materials, and production documentation.
- Experience developing or implementing assembly, test, inspection, tooling, fixture, or automated manufacturing systems.
- Experience with manufacturing capacity planning, capital equipment planning, production readiness, and process improvement.
- Experience with Design for Manufacturing, cost and reliability analysis, Make/Buy evaluations, and structured root-cause analysis.
- Experience working with suppliers and contract manufacturers.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Access, and Project.
- Experience with manufacturing and engineering tools such as Minitab, Oracle, Agile, and CAD systems; SolidWorks experience is preferred.
- Ability to travel to supplier or contract-manufacturer sites, as required; travel may be up to approximately 30%.
Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies
- Master’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Operations, or a related discipline is preferred.
- Experience manufacturing Small Unmanned Air Vehicles or other complex aerospace products is preferred.
- Experience with automation, robotics, production-test systems, new manufacturing technology development, or capital equipment projects is preferred.
- Experience with sheet metal fabrication, plastics, composite layups, printed circuit board assembly, mechanical assembly, calibration, and testing processes is preferred.
- Experience with production scaling, factory layout, line balancing, takt time, Value Stream Mapping, capacity expansion, or formal project management is preferred.
- Strong people leadership, coaching, delegation, team-building, communication, organization, planning, prioritization, and time-management skills.
- Ability to analyze data, make sound technical and business decisions, manage competing priorities, and work independently in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
- Demonstrated initiative, ownership, accountability, problem-solving ability, and commitment to continuous improvement.
- Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively across functions and prioritize team and company success.
Physical Demands
- Ability to work in both office and manufacturing environments.
- Ability to sit and stand for extended periods.
- Frequent use of hands and fingers to operate a computer, telephone, keyboard, and other workplace equipment.
- Ability to communicate verbally and exchange information in office, production, laboratory, and supplier environments.
- Occasional travel to supplier and contract-manufacturer locations may be required.
Clearance Level
No Clearance
The salary range for this role is:
$117,500 - $179,250AeroVironment considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the location, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills.
ITAR Requirement:
This position requires access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations (“ITAR”) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”). In order to comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants must qualify as a U.S. person under the ITAR and the EAR, or a person to be approved for an export license by the governing agency whose technology comes under its jurisdiction. Please understand that any job offer that requires approval of an export license will be conditional on AeroVironment’s determination that it will be able to obtain an export license in a time frame consistent with AeroVironment’s business requirements. A “U.S. person” according to the ITAR definition is a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or protected individual such as a refugee or asylee. See 22 CFR § 120.15. Some positions will require current U.S. Citizenship due to contract requirements.
Benefits: AV offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental vision, 401K with company matching, a 9/80 work schedule and a paid holiday shutdown. For more information about our company benefit offerings please visit: http://www.avinc.com/myavbenefits.
We also encourage you to review our company website at http://www.avinc.com to learn more about us.
Principals only need apply. NO agencies please.
About AV:
AV isn’t for everyone. We hire the curious, the relentless, the mission-obsessed. The best of the best.
We don’t just build defense technology—we redefine what’s possible. As the premier autonomous systems company in the U.S., AV delivers breakthrough capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber. From AI-powered drones and loitering munitions to integrated autonomy and space resilience, our technologies shape the future of warfare and protect those who serve.
Founded by legendary innovator Dr. Paul MacCready, AV has spent over 50 years pushing the boundaries of what unmanned systems can do. Our heritage includes seven platforms in the Smithsonian—but we’re not building history, we’re building what’s next.
If you're ready to build technology that matters—with speed, scale, and purpose—there’s no better place to do it than AV.
We are proud to be an EEO/AA Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans. AeroVironment, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Qualified applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic data, sexual orientation, gender identity or other legally protected status.
ITAR
U.S. Citizenship requiredWorker Type
Regular
Job Description
Summary
The Manufacturing Engineering Manager leads the manufacturing engineering function supporting AeroVironment’s Unmanned Air Vehicle production operations. This position provides strategic and hands-on leadership for the development, implementation, qualification, and continuous improvement of manufacturing systems, processes, equipment, tooling, and documentation. The manager is accountable for manufacturing readiness, process capability, capacity planning, capital resources, team performance, and continuous improvement across production operations.
Position Responsibilities
- Lead, mentor, and develop the manufacturing engineering team; assign work, establish priorities, support career development, and manage performance.
- Establish manufacturing engineering strategies, standards, priorities, and performance objectives aligned with company and program requirements.
- Plan, design, and continuously improve manufacturing systems, production processes, and facility capabilities for Unmanned Air Vehicle production.
- Develop manufacturing strategies and capacity models for new and existing products, including capital equipment and infrastructure requirements.
- Direct the specification, development, qualification, implementation, and support of assembly and test equipment.
- Oversee equipment specifications, qualification records, support plans, work instructions, assembly procedures, and other manufacturing documentation.
- Lead Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma initiatives to improve productivity, quality, throughput, yield, cost, cycle time, and lead time.
- Sponsor Value Stream Mapping and other process-improvement activities to reduce waste, variation, cycle time, and production losses.
- Lead the development and cost estimation of tooling, fixtures, automation, and other manufacturing resources.
- Direct Make/Buy analyses in collaboration with cross-functional teams.
- Provide manufacturing engineering input to new product development, including Design for Manufacturing, cost, reliability, producibility, and process-risk assessments.
- Partner with Design Engineering, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, Test Engineering, and Program Management to support production readiness, product introduction, ramp-up, process validation, and manufacturing transfer.
- Provide technical leadership for applicable electro-mechanical processes, including mechanical assembly, printed circuit board assembly, calibration, testing, sheet metal fabrication, plastics, and composite layups.
- Identify manufacturing risks and lead root-cause analysis and corrective-action activities related to processes, equipment, materials, capacity, tooling, suppliers, quality, and productivity.
- Manage manufacturing engineering budgets, capital requisitions, resource plans, and project schedules.
- Coordinate with suppliers and contract manufacturers to support process readiness and ensure receipt of conforming parts and assemblies.
- Communicate manufacturing status, risks, capacity constraints, improvement results, and resource requirements to leadership.
- Promote ownership, accountability, teamwork, continuous learning, innovation, and disciplined execution.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience)
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related technical field; equivalent education, training, and experience may be considered.
- 8 or more years of progressive experience in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Test Engineering, Operations Engineering, or a related field.
- 3 or more years of demonstrated experience leading or managing manufacturing engineering teams or cross-functional technical teams.
- Experience in aerospace, defense, automotive, commercial manufacturing, or another highly regulated manufacturing environment.
- Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing principles and Six Sigma methodologies.
- Experience with electro-mechanical manufacturing, engineering drawings, manufacturing procedures, bills of materials, and production documentation.
- Experience developing or implementing assembly, test, inspection, tooling, fixture, or automated manufacturing systems.
- Experience with manufacturing capacity planning, capital equipment planning, production readiness, and process improvement.
- Experience with Design for Manufacturing, cost and reliability analysis, Make/Buy evaluations, and structured root-cause analysis.
- Experience working with suppliers and contract manufacturers.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Access, and Project.
- Experience with manufacturing and engineering tools such as Minitab, Oracle, Agile, and CAD systems; SolidWorks experience is preferred.
- Ability to travel to supplier or contract-manufacturer sites, as required; travel may be up to approximately 30%.
Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies
- Master’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Operations, or a related discipline is preferred.
- Experience manufacturing Small Unmanned Air Vehicles or other complex aerospace products is preferred.
- Experience with automation, robotics, production-test systems, new manufacturing technology development, or capital equipment projects is preferred.
- Experience with sheet metal fabrication, plastics, composite layups, printed circuit board assembly, mechanical assembly, calibration, and testing processes is preferred.
- Experience with production scaling, factory layout, line balancing, takt time, Value Stream Mapping, capacity expansion, or formal project management is preferred.
- Strong people leadership, coaching, delegation, team-building, communication, organization, planning, prioritization, and time-management skills.
- Ability to analyze data, make sound technical and business decisions, manage competing priorities, and work independently in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
- Demonstrated initiative, ownership, accountability, problem-solving ability, and commitment to continuous improvement.
- Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively across functions and prioritize team and company success.
Physical Demands
- Ability to work in both office and manufacturing environments.
- Ability to sit and stand for extended periods.
- Frequent use of hands and fingers to operate a computer, telephone, keyboard, and other workplace equipment.
- Ability to communicate verbally and exchange information in office, production, laboratory, and supplier environments.
- Occasional travel to supplier and contract-manufacturer locations may be required.
Clearance Level
No Clearance
The salary range for this role is:
$117,500 - $179,250AeroVironment considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the location, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills.
ITAR Requirement:
This position requires access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations (“ITAR”) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”). In order to comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants must qualify as a U.S. person under the ITAR and the EAR, or a person to be approved for an export license by the governing agency whose technology comes under its jurisdiction. Please understand that any job offer that requires approval of an export license will be conditional on AeroVironment’s determination that it will be able to obtain an export license in a time frame consistent with AeroVironment’s business requirements. A “U.S. person” according to the ITAR definition is a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or protected individual such as a refugee or asylee. See 22 CFR § 120.15. Some positions will require current U.S. Citizenship due to contract requirements.
Benefits: AV offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental vision, 401K with company matching, a 9/80 work schedule and a paid holiday shutdown. For more information about our company benefit offerings please visit: http://www.avinc.com/myavbenefits.
We also encourage you to review our company website at http://www.avinc.com to learn more about us.
Principals only need apply. NO agencies please.
About AV:
AV isn’t for everyone. We hire the curious, the relentless, the mission-obsessed. The best of the best.
We don’t just build defense technology—we redefine what’s possible. As the premier autonomous systems company in the U.S., AV delivers breakthrough capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber. From AI-powered drones and loitering munitions to integrated autonomy and space resilience, our technologies shape the future of warfare and protect those who serve.
Founded by legendary innovator Dr. Paul MacCready, AV has spent over 50 years pushing the boundaries of what unmanned systems can do. Our heritage includes seven platforms in the Smithsonian—but we’re not building history, we’re building what’s next.
If you're ready to build technology that matters—with speed, scale, and purpose—there’s no better place to do it than AV.
We are proud to be an EEO/AA Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans. AeroVironment, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Qualified applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic data, sexual orientation, gender identity or other legally protected status.
ITAR
U.S. Citizenship requiredManufacturing Engineering Manager Jobs by Experience Level
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Find JobsManufacturing Engineering Manager Job Market
Who's Hiring
- Tesla47
- Lockheed Martin27
- L3Harris20
- Amazon18
- Northrop Grumman13
Top Industries Hiring
- Electronics & Hardware24
- Manufacturing21
- Technology & Software9
- Consulting & Professional Services9
- Automotive8
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in manufacturing engineering manager jobs.
- Bachelor's degree in mechanical, industrial, or manufacturing engineering
- Experience managing a team of engineers in a production environment
- Proficiency with lean manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies
- Hands-on experience with CAD software such as SolidWorks or AutoCAD
- Familiarity with ERP systems like SAP or Oracle for production planning
- Preferred certification as a Professional Engineer or Six Sigma Black Belt
Tips for Your Manufacturing Engineering Manager Job Search
Quantify your cost and yield wins
Hiring managers for manufacturing engineering manager roles expect numbers, not descriptions. Pull scrap reduction percentages, cycle time improvements, and capital cost savings from past projects and lead with those figures in your resume summary and bullet points.
Tailor your resume to the product type
A resume built around high-volume injection molding won't land the same way at a low-volume aerospace shop. Mirror the specific processes and materials in each job posting, whether that's CNC machining, stamping, or PCB assembly, so your experience reads as a direct match.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists manufacturing engineering manager openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Filter openings by plant maturity stage
Some plants are scaling up new product lines and need someone who can build processes from scratch. Others need a manager to stabilize and optimize existing production. Read job descriptions carefully for language like 'launch,' 'sustain,' or 'continuous improvement' to match your strengths to the actual need.
Prepare a technical case study for interviews
Panel interviews for this role often include a manufacturing scenario or process failure to diagnose. Walk in ready to whiteboard a root-cause analysis, describe how you'd run a corrective action process, and explain how you've prioritized engineering resources across competing production demands.
Negotiate relocation terms before accepting
Most manufacturing engineering manager roles are site-specific, so relocation comes up often. Know your acceptable geography, ask about relocation packages early in final-round conversations, and get any relocation assistance offer in writing before you sign an offer letter.
Manufacturing Engineering Manager Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most manufacturing engineering managers?
The companies hiring the most manufacturing engineering managers right now include Tesla, Lockheed Martin, and L3Harris, with the largest share of openings in California, Texas, and Minnesota, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Demand tends to be highest at companies running high-volume production lines or launching new product programs.
How many manufacturing engineering manager jobs are remote?
About 10% of manufacturing engineering manager openings are fully remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting the hands-on, plant-floor nature of most roles. Sub-areas most likely to allow remote or hybrid arrangements include design engineering management, supplier quality oversight, and roles focused on documentation and process standardization rather than direct production floor supervision.
How do you become a manufacturing engineering manager?
Most manufacturing engineering managers start as individual contributor engineers, then move into a lead or senior engineer role where they begin supervising small project teams. From there, demonstrating ownership of a product launch, a plant-wide continuous improvement initiative, or a capital equipment project is typically what earns a first management title. A degree in an engineering discipline and a working knowledge of lean or Six Sigma methods are standard prerequisites across most industries.
Can you get hired as a manufacturing engineering manager with limited management experience?
Yes, candidates with strong individual contributor records who have led cross-functional projects, mentored junior engineers, or managed outside contractors can be competitive for a first management role. Emphasize any experience coordinating with operations, quality, and supply chain teams, since manufacturing engineering managers work across all three. Some companies, particularly smaller manufacturers or startups scaling production, will hire a strong senior engineer into a player-coach manager role.
What does the manufacturing engineering manager interview process look like?
The process typically starts with a recruiter or HR screening call, followed by a technical interview with a senior engineering leader covering your process experience and problem-solving approach. A panel interview with operations, quality, and sometimes supply chain stakeholders is common in later rounds. Many companies include a plant tour or a practical scenario exercise asking you to diagnose a process bottleneck or propose a corrective action plan before extending an offer.
Where can I find and apply to manufacturing engineering manager jobs?
You can find and apply to manufacturing engineering manager jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Find roles that match your experience and location, then apply directly to each listing. New postings are added regularly, so checking back often gives you the best shot at roles that fit before they close.
See All 806+ Manufacturing Engineering Manager Jobs
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