Manufacturing Engineering Manager Jobs in California
Manufacturing Engineering Manager jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in aerospace and defense, semiconductor fabrication, medical devices, and automotive supply chain, with demand running from production-floor supervisors stepping into management through senior-level engineering directors. The largest hiring metros are Los Angeles, San Jose, and San Diego, where established names like Northrop Grumman, Applied Materials, and Edwards Lifesciences consistently recruit for these roles. Process optimization, lean manufacturing, and advanced automation integration are the most in-demand specialties across California facilities. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 4 of 91+ Manufacturing Engineering Manager jobs
Archer is an aerospace company based in San Jose, California building an all-electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft with a mission to advance the benefits of sustainable air mobility. We are designing, manufacturing, and operating an all-electric aircraft that can carry four passengers while producing minimal noise.
Our sights are set high and our problems are hard, and we believe that diversity in the workplace is what makes us smarter, drives better insights, and will ultimately lift us all to success. We are dedicated to cultivating an equitable and inclusive environment that embraces our differences, and supports and celebrates all of our team members.
About The Role:
At Archer, we're scaling production of our High Voltage Electric Propulsion System — the heart of our eVTOL aircraft, which includes the High Voltage Battery, Electric Motor and Propeller assemblies and represents one of the most technically demanding, highly automated manufacturing systems in our factory.
We're seeking a highly motivated Manufacturing Design Engineering (MDE) Manager to lead the Electric Motor/Drive Unit manufacturing team. This role sits on the Manufacturing Design Engineering group and owns the specification, design, launch and ramp of advanced powertrain manufacturing equipment in a high-volume production environment.
You'll be hands-on, deeply technical, and accountable for solving complex manufacturing problems—often under real schedule pressure.
What You'll Do:
- Lead & Scale the Team: Direct a high-performing MDE team responsible for Electric Motor/Drive Unit production lines; own hiring, career development, and resource planning.
- Capital Equipment Ownership: Own end-to-end equipment execution from RFQ and design specs through FAT, SAT, commissioning, and ramp up, managing capex budgets and executive approvals.
- Design for Manufacturability (DFM): Partner closely with Product Design and Manufacturing Engineering to drive DFM feedback into early-stage designs and optimize products for automated assembly.
- Integrator & Supplier Management: Lead relationships with custom equipment builders and key automation suppliers in close collaboration with Global Supply Chain.
- Executive Communication: Present program status, capital spend forecasts, and capacity models to executive leadership, adapting quickly to evolving enterprise schedules.
- Production Capacity Planning: Ensure manufacturing equipment meets throughput, yield, and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) targets to satisfy present and future delivery schedules.
What You Need:
- Education & Experience: B.S. in Mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronics, or Robotics Engineering (or equivalent) with 2+ years of technical management and 5+ years in high-volume, automated manufacturing (EV, Aerospace, or Semiconductor preferred).
- Technical Domain Expertise: Deep core expertise in at least one key drive unit subsystem—Stator, Rotor, Inverter, Gearbox, or Actuators—alongside strong knowledge of automated assembly processes.
- Equipment & Automation Mastery: Hands-on experience developing specifications for PLCs, industrial robotics (Fanuc, Kuka, ABB), vision systems, dispense systems, torque tools, and human/machine safety devices.
- Financial & Project Acumen: Proven experience in capex budgeting, vendor RFQ management, line balancing, layout design (AutoCAD/NX), and executing FAT/SAT protocols.
- Problem-Solving & Quality Systems: Mastery of structured root-cause methodologies (DMAIC, 8D, 5-Why) alongside practical application of GD&T, SPC, and PFMEAs.
- Software Competency: Proficiency using 3D CAD (Siemens NX preferred), PLM (Teamcenter), MES, and ERP platforms to manage factory designs and product lifecycle data.
- Leadership Mindset: Clear communicator with a high-ownership, bias-for-action attitude capable of thriving in a fast-paced hardware development environment.
Bonus Qualifications:
- Advanced Automation Controls: Direct programming or architecture experience with PLC platforms (Siemens, Beckhoff, Allen-Bradley) and complex MES integrations.
- Regulatory & Safety Standards: Strong working knowledge of electrical and industrial safety codes, including NFPA 79, NEC, UL508A, ANSI/RIA 15.06, and OSHA regulations.
- Advanced DFM/DFA: Experience taking complex electromagnetic assemblies from initial NPI prototype builds through full-scale automated line qualification.
Please note that this job description is intended to provide a general overview of the position and does not include an exhaustive list of responsibilities and qualifications.
At Archer we aim to attract, retain, and motivate talent that possess the skills and leadership necessary to grow our business. We drive a pay-for-performance culture and reward performance that supports the Company's business strategy. For this position we are targeting a base pay between $152,100 - $190,100. Actual compensation offered will be determined by factors such as job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.
Archer is committed to provide a safe workplace and a safe aircraft. This is a safety sensitive designated role. Employment in safety sensitive positions is contingent on successful passage of a background check and is subject to pre-employment and random drug screening.
Archer is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to job applicants with physical or mental disabilities, and those with sincerely held religious beliefs. Applicants who may require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should provide their name and contact information to Archer's People Team at people@archer.com. Reasonable accommodations will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
Information collected and processed as part of any job applications you choose to submit is subject to Archer's Candidate Privacy Policy.
Archer is unable to provide work visa sponsorship for this position at the present time.
Archer is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusivity in the workplace. All aspects of employment are decided on the basis of merit, qualifications, and business needs. We do not discriminate based upon race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
Archer Aviation does not engage with external recruiting agencies/individual recruiters with whom it does not have a prior written agreement. Archer reserves the right to make use of any unsolicited resumes that it receives and bears no responsibility for payment of any fees asserted from the use of unsolicited resumes. If you are a recruiting agency or individual recruiter wishing to do business with Archer, please reach out to People@archer.com. All employment processes are managed by the Archer People Team.
Archer is an aerospace company based in San Jose, California building an all-electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft with a mission to advance the benefits of sustainable air mobility. We are designing, manufacturing, and operating an all-electric aircraft that can carry four passengers while producing minimal noise.
Our sights are set high and our problems are hard, and we believe that diversity in the workplace is what makes us smarter, drives better insights, and will ultimately lift us all to success. We are dedicated to cultivating an equitable and inclusive environment that embraces our differences, and supports and celebrates all of our team members.
About The Role:
At Archer, we're scaling production of our High Voltage Electric Propulsion System — the heart of our eVTOL aircraft, which includes the High Voltage Battery, Electric Motor and Propeller assemblies and represents one of the most technically demanding, highly automated manufacturing systems in our factory.
We're seeking a highly motivated Manufacturing Design Engineering (MDE) Manager to lead the Electric Motor/Drive Unit manufacturing team. This role sits on the Manufacturing Design Engineering group and owns the specification, design, launch and ramp of advanced powertrain manufacturing equipment in a high-volume production environment.
You'll be hands-on, deeply technical, and accountable for solving complex manufacturing problems—often under real schedule pressure.
What You'll Do:
- Lead & Scale the Team: Direct a high-performing MDE team responsible for Electric Motor/Drive Unit production lines; own hiring, career development, and resource planning.
- Capital Equipment Ownership: Own end-to-end equipment execution from RFQ and design specs through FAT, SAT, commissioning, and ramp up, managing capex budgets and executive approvals.
- Design for Manufacturability (DFM): Partner closely with Product Design and Manufacturing Engineering to drive DFM feedback into early-stage designs and optimize products for automated assembly.
- Integrator & Supplier Management: Lead relationships with custom equipment builders and key automation suppliers in close collaboration with Global Supply Chain.
- Executive Communication: Present program status, capital spend forecasts, and capacity models to executive leadership, adapting quickly to evolving enterprise schedules.
- Production Capacity Planning: Ensure manufacturing equipment meets throughput, yield, and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) targets to satisfy present and future delivery schedules.
What You Need:
- Education & Experience: B.S. in Mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronics, or Robotics Engineering (or equivalent) with 2+ years of technical management and 5+ years in high-volume, automated manufacturing (EV, Aerospace, or Semiconductor preferred).
- Technical Domain Expertise: Deep core expertise in at least one key drive unit subsystem—Stator, Rotor, Inverter, Gearbox, or Actuators—alongside strong knowledge of automated assembly processes.
- Equipment & Automation Mastery: Hands-on experience developing specifications for PLCs, industrial robotics (Fanuc, Kuka, ABB), vision systems, dispense systems, torque tools, and human/machine safety devices.
- Financial & Project Acumen: Proven experience in capex budgeting, vendor RFQ management, line balancing, layout design (AutoCAD/NX), and executing FAT/SAT protocols.
- Problem-Solving & Quality Systems: Mastery of structured root-cause methodologies (DMAIC, 8D, 5-Why) alongside practical application of GD&T, SPC, and PFMEAs.
- Software Competency: Proficiency using 3D CAD (Siemens NX preferred), PLM (Teamcenter), MES, and ERP platforms to manage factory designs and product lifecycle data.
- Leadership Mindset: Clear communicator with a high-ownership, bias-for-action attitude capable of thriving in a fast-paced hardware development environment.
Bonus Qualifications:
- Advanced Automation Controls: Direct programming or architecture experience with PLC platforms (Siemens, Beckhoff, Allen-Bradley) and complex MES integrations.
- Regulatory & Safety Standards: Strong working knowledge of electrical and industrial safety codes, including NFPA 79, NEC, UL508A, ANSI/RIA 15.06, and OSHA regulations.
- Advanced DFM/DFA: Experience taking complex electromagnetic assemblies from initial NPI prototype builds through full-scale automated line qualification.
Please note that this job description is intended to provide a general overview of the position and does not include an exhaustive list of responsibilities and qualifications.
At Archer we aim to attract, retain, and motivate talent that possess the skills and leadership necessary to grow our business. We drive a pay-for-performance culture and reward performance that supports the Company's business strategy. For this position we are targeting a base pay between $152,100 - $190,100. Actual compensation offered will be determined by factors such as job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.
Archer is committed to provide a safe workplace and a safe aircraft. This is a safety sensitive designated role. Employment in safety sensitive positions is contingent on successful passage of a background check and is subject to pre-employment and random drug screening.
Archer is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to job applicants with physical or mental disabilities, and those with sincerely held religious beliefs. Applicants who may require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should provide their name and contact information to Archer's People Team at people@archer.com. Reasonable accommodations will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
Information collected and processed as part of any job applications you choose to submit is subject to Archer's Candidate Privacy Policy.
Archer is unable to provide work visa sponsorship for this position at the present time.
Archer is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusivity in the workplace. All aspects of employment are decided on the basis of merit, qualifications, and business needs. We do not discriminate based upon race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
Archer Aviation does not engage with external recruiting agencies/individual recruiters with whom it does not have a prior written agreement. Archer reserves the right to make use of any unsolicited resumes that it receives and bears no responsibility for payment of any fees asserted from the use of unsolicited resumes. If you are a recruiting agency or individual recruiter wishing to do business with Archer, please reach out to People@archer.com. All employment processes are managed by the Archer People Team.
See All 91 Manufacturing Engineering Manager Jobs in California
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Find JobsManufacturing Engineering Manager Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Manufacturing Engineering Manager Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Tesla15
- Thermo Fisher Scientific8
- DIVERGENT3
- Alcon2
- archer2
Top Industries Hiring
- Electronics & Hardware
- Consulting & Professional Services
- Manufacturing
- Medical Devices
- Science & Research
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in manufacturing engineering manager jobs across California.
- Bachelor's degree in mechanical, industrial, or manufacturing engineering from an accredited program
- Seven or more years of manufacturing engineering experience including direct people management
- Demonstrated proficiency with lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, or Kaizen methodologies
- Experience managing NPI or sustaining engineering programs in a regulated California industry
- Proficiency with CAD tools and manufacturing execution systems used in California production environments
- Strong cross-functional collaboration skills with supply chain, quality, and operations teams
Manufacturing Engineering Manager Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a manufacturing engineering manager in California?
The typical California path starts with a bachelor's degree in mechanical, industrial, or manufacturing engineering, followed by several years of hands-on engineering work in a California production environment. While the role does not require a state-issued license, Professional Engineer registration through the California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists strengthens candidates significantly. Most hiring managers look for a combination of technical depth, lean or Six Sigma credentials, and demonstrated team leadership before promoting or hiring into a manager role.
Which companies hire manufacturing engineering managers in California?
Employers hiring manufacturing engineering managers in California right now include Tesla, Thermo Fisher Scientific, and DIVERGENT, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. California's concentration of aerospace primes, semiconductor equipment makers, and medical device manufacturers means demand for this role is distributed across both large defense contractors in Southern California and high-tech industrial firms throughout the Bay Area and San Diego corridor.
Which California cities have the most manufacturing engineering manager jobs?
Fremont, San Jose, and San Diego have the most manufacturing engineering manager openings in California. Los Angeles anchors the list through its aerospace and defense industrial base, San Jose reflects demand from semiconductor and advanced electronics manufacturers, and San Diego draws on its concentration of medical device and defense contractors including several large facilities that consistently post senior engineering management roles.
Are there remote manufacturing engineering manager jobs in California?
Yes, but they're rare. About 8% of manufacturing engineering manager openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting the hands-on nature of the role. The portions most compatible with remote work include design review, supplier qualification, documentation, and cross-functional program coordination, while direct floor oversight, equipment qualification, and production escalations almost always require physical presence at the California facility.
How can I get hired as a manufacturing engineering manager in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is moving up from a manufacturing or process engineer role at a California employer that promotes from within, particularly in aerospace, medical devices, or semiconductor equipment where structured career ladders exist. Large California manufacturers like Raytheon, Boston Scientific, and Lam Research run formal new-grad and rotational engineering programs that expose candidates to process, quality, and operations functions early. Building a record in a lead engineer or technical program coordinator role, combined with a Six Sigma Green Belt or lean certification, positions candidates for a first management opening without prior direct reports.
Where can I find and apply to manufacturing engineering manager jobs in California?
You can find and apply to manufacturing engineering manager jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings. Find roles that fit your experience and target location, then apply directly to each one.
See All 91 Manufacturing Engineering Manager Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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