Manufacturing Engineering Manager Jobs in Washington
Manufacturing Engineering Manager jobs in Washington are in strong demand, concentrated in aerospace, defense electronics, semiconductor fabrication, and advanced medical device manufacturing, with openings at every level from first-time managers stepping up from senior engineering roles through seasoned operations leaders. The heaviest hiring activity is in the greater Seattle, Tacoma, and Everett corridors, where employers such as Boeing, Microsoft, and Paccar maintain large, long-established manufacturing and engineering operations. Process improvement leadership, lean manufacturing expertise, and NPI (new product introduction) program management are consistently the most sought-after specialties in Washington listings. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Karman Space & Defense is a leader in the rapid design, development, and production of critical, next-generation system solutions that align with the U.S. Department of War and its allies' core mission priorities, and meet the accelerating demand for access to space. Building on nearly 50 years of success, we deliver Payload & Protection Systems, Aero/Hydrodynamic Interstage Systems, and Propulsion & Launch Systems to more than 80 prime contractors supporting over 130 space and defense programs.
This role is part of our Tactical Missiles and Integrated Defense Systems business, which designs and develops integrated missile and defense systems that support critical missions across air, land, and sea. We combine comprehensive analysis, engineering, and program execution capabilities to deliver mission-tailored solutions that reduce lead times, lower costs, and simplify complex multi-vendor supply chains. Backed by decades of flight-proven and fielded performance, we design and build mission-critical technologies including launch systems, propulsion, payload integration solutions, UAV components, missile subsystems, and Safe & Arm systems.
The Manufacturing Engineering Manager leads manufacturing engineering activities across multiple complex production lines, ensuring safe, repeatable, and scalable operations. This role drives process development, production readiness, tooling strategy, and continuous improvement initiatives while serving as a technical connection between Engineering, Operations, Quality, and Supply Chain. It plays a key role in optimizing manufacturing flow, resolving production challenges, and supporting operational growth in a fast-paced aerospace environment.
Responsibilities
- Develops, implements, and optimizes manufacturing processes for complex aerospace production lines.
- Ensures processes are capable, repeatable, and scalable and supports transition from prototype to full-rate production.
- Drives process validation, production readiness, and smooth production ramp-up.
- Provides daily technical support and troubleshoots manufacturing issues affecting safety, quality, delivery, or productivity.
- Leads tooling and fixture design strategy and evaluates, specifies, and implements equipment and automation solutions.
- Collaborates with Design Engineering to ensure manufacturability and efficient process integration.
- Maintains controlled manufacturing documentation and manages revision updates.
- Supports process audits and corrective action activities.
- Leads and develops Manufacturing Engineers, Process Engineers, and Engineering Technicians.
- Establishes engineering priorities aligned with operational goals.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related field.
- 5 or more years of manufacturing engineering experience.
- Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes and systems.
- A current U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Secret security clearance or the ability to obtain and maintain one.
Preferred Qualifications
- 2 or more years of experience in a manufacturing engineering leadership role.
- Aerospace, defense, or highly regulated manufacturing experience.
- Experience with computer numerical control (CNC) machining, assembly operations, and tooling and fixture design.
Benefits
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) with company match
- Paid time off
- Health Savings Account (HSA) with company contribution
- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
- Company‑paid life and ADdummyamp;D insurance
- Short‑ and long‑term disability coverage
- Tuition reimbursement
Karman Space and Defense is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
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Karman Space & Defense is a leader in the rapid design, development, and production of critical, next-generation system solutions that align with the U.S. Department of War and its allies' core mission priorities, and meet the accelerating demand for access to space. Building on nearly 50 years of success, we deliver Payload & Protection Systems, Aero/Hydrodynamic Interstage Systems, and Propulsion & Launch Systems to more than 80 prime contractors supporting over 130 space and defense programs.
This role is part of our Tactical Missiles and Integrated Defense Systems business, which designs and develops integrated missile and defense systems that support critical missions across air, land, and sea. We combine comprehensive analysis, engineering, and program execution capabilities to deliver mission-tailored solutions that reduce lead times, lower costs, and simplify complex multi-vendor supply chains. Backed by decades of flight-proven and fielded performance, we design and build mission-critical technologies including launch systems, propulsion, payload integration solutions, UAV components, missile subsystems, and Safe & Arm systems.
The Manufacturing Engineering Manager leads manufacturing engineering activities across multiple complex production lines, ensuring safe, repeatable, and scalable operations. This role drives process development, production readiness, tooling strategy, and continuous improvement initiatives while serving as a technical connection between Engineering, Operations, Quality, and Supply Chain. It plays a key role in optimizing manufacturing flow, resolving production challenges, and supporting operational growth in a fast-paced aerospace environment.
Responsibilities
- Develops, implements, and optimizes manufacturing processes for complex aerospace production lines.
- Ensures processes are capable, repeatable, and scalable and supports transition from prototype to full-rate production.
- Drives process validation, production readiness, and smooth production ramp-up.
- Provides daily technical support and troubleshoots manufacturing issues affecting safety, quality, delivery, or productivity.
- Leads tooling and fixture design strategy and evaluates, specifies, and implements equipment and automation solutions.
- Collaborates with Design Engineering to ensure manufacturability and efficient process integration.
- Maintains controlled manufacturing documentation and manages revision updates.
- Supports process audits and corrective action activities.
- Leads and develops Manufacturing Engineers, Process Engineers, and Engineering Technicians.
- Establishes engineering priorities aligned with operational goals.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related field.
- 5 or more years of manufacturing engineering experience.
- Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes and systems.
- A current U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Secret security clearance or the ability to obtain and maintain one.
Preferred Qualifications
- 2 or more years of experience in a manufacturing engineering leadership role.
- Aerospace, defense, or highly regulated manufacturing experience.
- Experience with computer numerical control (CNC) machining, assembly operations, and tooling and fixture design.
Benefits
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) with company match
- Paid time off
- Health Savings Account (HSA) with company contribution
- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
- Company‑paid life and ADdummyamp;D insurance
- Short‑ and long‑term disability coverage
- Tuition reimbursement
Karman Space and Defense is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
View our Privacy Policy
See All 23 Manufacturing Engineering Manager Jobs in Washington
Find roles in Washington that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsManufacturing Engineering Manager Jobs by City in Washington
Where Washington roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Manufacturing Engineering Manager Job Market in Washington
A snapshot from current Washington openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Amazon10
- Meta1
- RTCA1
- Shield1
- Cadwell1
Top Industries Hiring
- Medical Devices
What Washington Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in manufacturing engineering manager jobs across Washington.
- Bachelor's degree in mechanical, industrial, or manufacturing engineering from an accredited program
- Five or more years of engineering experience with at least two in a supervisory or lead capacity
- Demonstrated proficiency applying lean manufacturing or Six Sigma methodologies in a production environment
- Experience managing cross-functional teams through new product introduction or capital equipment projects
- Familiarity with AS9100, ISO 9001, or relevant quality management systems common in Washington aerospace and defense manufacturing
- Strong command of CAD tools and manufacturing execution systems used in high-mix, low-volume or high-volume production settings
Manufacturing Engineering Manager Jobs in Washington: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a manufacturing engineering manager in Washington?
Washington does not require a state-issued license to work as a manufacturing engineering manager, though holding a Professional Engineer registration through the Washington State Department of Licensing can strengthen candidacy for senior roles. Most Washington employers expect a bachelor's degree in mechanical, industrial, or manufacturing engineering, several years of hands-on engineering experience, and demonstrated leadership managing projects or people. Lean or Six Sigma certification is a practical differentiator in the aerospace and defense sectors that anchor the state's manufacturing economy.
Which companies hire manufacturing engineering managers in Washington?
Employers hiring manufacturing engineering managers in Washington right now include Amazon, Meta, and RTCA, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Washington's aerospace and defense manufacturing base, anchored by long-established primes and their regional supplier networks, means consistent demand well beyond a single company or industry segment.
Which Washington cities have the most manufacturing engineering manager jobs?
Seattle, Redmond, and Bellevue are the Washington cities with the most manufacturing engineering manager openings. The Seattle-Everett-Tacoma corridor dominates because Boeing's commercial airplane production facilities, a dense defense electronics supplier network, and a growing semiconductor and medical device cluster all concentrate there, while smaller cities in the list typically reflect a specific large plant or defense contractor with a regional footprint.
Are there remote manufacturing engineering manager jobs in Washington?
Yes, but they're rare. Manufacturing engineering managers are responsible for production floor oversight, equipment qualification, and hands-on process improvement, which ties most roles to a physical facility. About 0% of manufacturing engineering manager openings tied to Washington are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, and those positions typically involve program management, supplier development, or NPI coordination work that can be done off-site rather than direct production support.
How can I get hired as a manufacturing engineering manager in Washington with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is moving into a team lead or manufacturing engineering project lead role before applying for a full manager title. Washington's aerospace primes and defense suppliers, including Boeing's manufacturing divisions and the Puget Sound defense electronics community, regularly hire associate manufacturing engineers and production support engineers as developmental roles. Earning a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, building a portfolio of documented process improvement results, and targeting roles titled manufacturing engineering supervisor or program manufacturing lead gives candidates without direct management history a credible bridge into manager-level hiring.
Where can I find and apply to manufacturing engineering manager jobs in Washington?
You can find and apply to manufacturing engineering manager jobs in Washington on Migrate Mate, which lists current Washington openings across the aerospace, defense, semiconductor, and medical device sectors. Search the listings for roles that match your experience level and specialization, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 23 Manufacturing Engineering Manager Jobs in Washington
Find roles in Washington that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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