Manufacturing Jobs in San Diego, CA
Manufacturing jobs in San Diego are concentrated in Otay Ranch, Kearny Mesa, and Miramar, anchored by defense, biotech, and electronics sectors that keep demand active year-round. Employers hiring right now include Tesla, Anduril, and Hydroponic Research. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Position Overview
Natilus is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer to join our engineering team in San Diego, CA. In this role, you will be responsible for developing and implementing manufacturing processes, supporting aircraft fabrication and assembly, and ensuring engineering designs can be efficiently translated into high-quality, flight-ready hardware. You will work closely with design engineers, technicians, suppliers, and cross-functional teams to develop manufacturing solutions that support the development and production of our blended-wing-body aircraft. This is a hands-on opportunity to contribute directly to aircraft development, establish manufacturing processes, and help build the foundation for future production operations.
Responsibilities
- Develop and implement manufacturing processes for aircraft structures, mechanical systems, and assemblies.
- Collaborate with design engineering teams to ensure designs are manufacturable, cost-effective, and suitable for assembly and integration.
- Develop manufacturing plans, work instructions, assembly procedures, and production documentation.
- Support prototype fabrication, aircraft assembly, integration, and testing activities.
- Design and develop manufacturing tooling, fixtures, jigs, and assembly aids.
- Identify and resolve manufacturing challenges related to materials, tolerances, fabrication methods, and assembly processes.
- Work with suppliers and vendors to evaluate manufacturing capabilities, resolve technical issues, and ensure component quality.
- Support inspection, quality control, and verification activities to ensure compliance with engineering requirements.
- Participate in design reviews and provide manufacturing input throughout the product development lifecycle.
- Identify opportunities to improve manufacturing efficiency, reduce costs, and streamline production processes.
- Support the transition from prototype development to repeatable manufacturing and production processes.
- Work directly with engineering and technical teams to troubleshoot manufacturing and assembly issues.
Requirements
Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical discipline.- 3+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering within aerospace or aviation industry.
- Experience developing manufacturing processes, assembly procedures, and production documentation.
- Experience with composite structures, metallic aircraft structures, or both.
- Familiarity with aerospace manufacturing standards and quality systems, including AS9100.
- Experience designing manufacturing tooling, fixtures, and assembly aids.
- Proficiency with CAD software such as Siemens NX, CATIA, or SolidWorks.
- Strong understanding of mechanical fabrication, machining, assembly techniques, and manufacturing tolerances.
- Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, CAD models, and technical specifications.
- Familiarity with GD&T and engineering change processes.
- Experience working collaboratively with design engineers, manufacturing technicians, and suppliers.
- Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently in a fast-paced engineering environment.
- Willingness to take a hands-on approach to manufacturing challenges and aircraft development.
Preferred
- Experience in aircraft manufacturing, prototype development, or experimental aircraft programs.
- Experience supporting aircraft integration, ground testing, or flight-test preparation.
- Experience establishing manufacturing processes within an early-stage aerospace or hardware development company.
Benefits
Health Care Plan (Medica, Dental, Vision)
Retirement Plan – 401k
Unlimited PTO
Onsite Gym Access
Natilus Inc. hires solely based on qualifications, merit and competence. Natilus Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Natilus Inc. does not hire on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
Please note: Recruiters will never ask for sensitive personal or financial information during the application phase
Position Overview
Natilus is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer to join our engineering team in San Diego, CA. In this role, you will be responsible for developing and implementing manufacturing processes, supporting aircraft fabrication and assembly, and ensuring engineering designs can be efficiently translated into high-quality, flight-ready hardware. You will work closely with design engineers, technicians, suppliers, and cross-functional teams to develop manufacturing solutions that support the development and production of our blended-wing-body aircraft. This is a hands-on opportunity to contribute directly to aircraft development, establish manufacturing processes, and help build the foundation for future production operations.
Responsibilities
- Develop and implement manufacturing processes for aircraft structures, mechanical systems, and assemblies.
- Collaborate with design engineering teams to ensure designs are manufacturable, cost-effective, and suitable for assembly and integration.
- Develop manufacturing plans, work instructions, assembly procedures, and production documentation.
- Support prototype fabrication, aircraft assembly, integration, and testing activities.
- Design and develop manufacturing tooling, fixtures, jigs, and assembly aids.
- Identify and resolve manufacturing challenges related to materials, tolerances, fabrication methods, and assembly processes.
- Work with suppliers and vendors to evaluate manufacturing capabilities, resolve technical issues, and ensure component quality.
- Support inspection, quality control, and verification activities to ensure compliance with engineering requirements.
- Participate in design reviews and provide manufacturing input throughout the product development lifecycle.
- Identify opportunities to improve manufacturing efficiency, reduce costs, and streamline production processes.
- Support the transition from prototype development to repeatable manufacturing and production processes.
- Work directly with engineering and technical teams to troubleshoot manufacturing and assembly issues.
Requirements
Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical discipline.- 3+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering within aerospace or aviation industry.
- Experience developing manufacturing processes, assembly procedures, and production documentation.
- Experience with composite structures, metallic aircraft structures, or both.
- Familiarity with aerospace manufacturing standards and quality systems, including AS9100.
- Experience designing manufacturing tooling, fixtures, and assembly aids.
- Proficiency with CAD software such as Siemens NX, CATIA, or SolidWorks.
- Strong understanding of mechanical fabrication, machining, assembly techniques, and manufacturing tolerances.
- Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, CAD models, and technical specifications.
- Familiarity with GD&T and engineering change processes.
- Experience working collaboratively with design engineers, manufacturing technicians, and suppliers.
- Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently in a fast-paced engineering environment.
- Willingness to take a hands-on approach to manufacturing challenges and aircraft development.
Preferred
- Experience in aircraft manufacturing, prototype development, or experimental aircraft programs.
- Experience supporting aircraft integration, ground testing, or flight-test preparation.
- Experience establishing manufacturing processes within an early-stage aerospace or hardware development company.
Benefits
Health Care Plan (Medica, Dental, Vision)
Retirement Plan – 401k
Unlimited PTO
Onsite Gym Access
Natilus Inc. hires solely based on qualifications, merit and competence. Natilus Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Natilus Inc. does not hire on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
Please note: Recruiters will never ask for sensitive personal or financial information during the application phase
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Who's Hiring
- Tesla68
- Anduril34
- Hydroponic Research34
- Tandem Diabetes Care34
- BD17
Manufacturing Jobs in San Diego: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a manufacturing job in San Diego?
Start by targeting San Diego's strongest manufacturing clusters: defense contractors in Miramar and Kearny Mesa, biotech and medical device firms in Torrey Pines and Sorrento Valley, and electronics producers near Otay Ranch. Hands-on certifications in CNC operation, quality inspection, or lean manufacturing stand out here. Candidates who can clear a background check for defense-related work gain a meaningful edge over the competition.
Which companies hire manufacturings in San Diego?
Companies currently hiring manufacturings in San Diego include Tesla, Anduril, and Hydroponic Research, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. San Diego's employer mix skews heavily toward defense prime contractors, medical device manufacturers, and semiconductor companies, many of which maintain production facilities across Kearny Mesa and the Otay Ranch corridor.
Are there remote manufacturing jobs in San Diego?
Yes, but only for certain roles. Hands-on production, assembly, and quality control positions are almost always on-site by nature. About 33% of manufacturing openings tied to San Diego are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, concentrated in roles like production planning, supply chain coordination, and manufacturing process engineering that do not require physical floor presence.
How can I get a manufacturing job in San Diego with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path in San Diego is landing a production associate or assembly technician role with one of the area's medical device or defense subcontractors, many of which actively hire and train entry-level candidates in Kearny Mesa and National City. San Diego Continuing Education and MiraCosta College both offer manufacturing skills certificates that local employers recognize. Reliability and a clean background check matter as much as credentials for first roles.
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