Manufacturing Specialist Jobs
Manufacturing Specialist jobs are open across aerospace, automotive, electronics, and medical device manufacturing, from entry-level technician roles to senior and lead positions, with specializations in process improvement, quality assurance, and production operations. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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L3Harris is dedicated to recruiting and developing high-performing talent who are passionate about what they do. Our employees are unified in a shared dedication to our customers’ mission and quest for professional growth. L3Harris provides an inclusive, engaging environment designed to empower employees and promote work-life success. Fundamental to our culture is an unwavering focus on values, dedication to our communities, and commitment to excellence in everything we do.
L3Harris is the Trusted Disruptor in defense tech. With customers’ mission-critical needs always in mind, our employees deliver end-to-end technology solutions connecting the space, air, land, sea and cyber domains in the interest of national security.
Job Title: Senior Specialist, Manufacturing Engineer (Precision Optics Technical Lead)
Job Code: 47218
Job Location: Rochester, New York
Job Schedule: 5/8 (Monday-Friday)
Job Description:
L3Harris’s Optics department in Rochester, NY, is seeking an experienced Optics Manufacturing Engineering Technical Lead to produce high-quality optical components for cutting-edge astronomical, high-energy laser, and earth imaging applications. As a Technical Lead you will provide technical leadership and coordination for complex optics across fabrication and inspection. This role will bring manufacturing, design, metrology, and quality together to resolve difficult problems, assess how recovery options affect final performance, and the material needed for later processing. Be a part of a team that pioneers precision manufacturing in optical technologies. If you have the skills and passion for precision optics, apply now to join us and contribute to groundbreaking projects in a dynamic and innovative environment.
Essential Functions:
- Plan the technical reviews and handoffs needed for a complex optical component.
- Resolve questions between manufacturing, design, metrology, supply chain and quality.
- Evaluate technical alternatives and communicate their impact on performance, cost, and schedule.
- Verify completion of required technical checks before critical manufacturing steps.
- Support complex manufacturing issues through troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and corrective action.
- Guide less experienced Technical Leads in evaluating requirements and resolving technical challenges.
- Prioritize tasks based on schedule requirements and process availability.
- Translate complex technical requirements into clear, actionable guidance for engineers and shop-floor technicians.
- Keep supervisors and project leaders informed of significant technical risks.
- Interpret technical requirements and communicate the impact on manufacturing process decisions.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s Degree and minimum 6 years of prior relevant experience. Graduate Degree and a minimum of 4 years of prior related experience. In lieu of a degree, minimum of 10 years of prior related experience.
- Ability to obtain a Secret security clearance
Preferred Additional Skills:
- Have or the ability to obtain SSBI with Polygraph.
- Able to support multiple projects in various stages of readiness.
- Independently coordinate complex manufacturing and measurement activities.
- Experience with large-aperture optics or other demanding precision components.
- Experience resolving problems involving both fabrication and metrology.
- Strong communicator, written and verbal communication skills within and outside of function.
- Background in optics, precision machining, polishing, metrology, CNC, or process engineering.
- Requires strong knowledge of optics manufacturing.
In compliance with pay transparency requirements, the salary range for this role in New York is $84,000 - $156,000. This is not a guarantee of compensation or salary, as final offer amount may vary based on factors including but not limited to experience and geographic location. L3Harris also offers a variety of benefits, including health and disability insurance, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, EAP, education assistance, parental leave, paid time off, and company-paid holidays. The specific programs and options available to an employee may vary depending on date of hire, schedule type, and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements.
#LI-ZB1
L3Harris Technologies is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. L3Harris is committed to treating all employees and applicants for employment with respect and dignity and maintaining a workplace that is free from unlawful discrimination. All applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or other related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, characteristic or membership in any other group protected by federal, state or local laws. L3Harris maintains a drug-free workplace and performs pre-employment substance abuse testing and background checks, where permitted by law.
Please be aware many of our positions require the ability to obtain a security clearance. Security clearances may only be granted to U.S. citizens. In addition, applicants who accept a conditional offer of employment may be subject to government security investigation(s) and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.
By submitting your resume for this position, you understand and agree that L3Harris Technologies may share your resume, as well as any other related personal information or documentation you provide, with its subsidiaries and affiliated companies for the purpose of considering you for other available positions.
L3Harris Technologies is an E-Verify Employer. Please click here for the E-Verify Poster in English or Spanish. For information regarding your Right To Work, please click here for English or Spanish.
L3Harris is dedicated to recruiting and developing high-performing talent who are passionate about what they do. Our employees are unified in a shared dedication to our customers’ mission and quest for professional growth. L3Harris provides an inclusive, engaging environment designed to empower employees and promote work-life success. Fundamental to our culture is an unwavering focus on values, dedication to our communities, and commitment to excellence in everything we do.
L3Harris is the Trusted Disruptor in defense tech. With customers’ mission-critical needs always in mind, our employees deliver end-to-end technology solutions connecting the space, air, land, sea and cyber domains in the interest of national security.
Job Title: Senior Specialist, Manufacturing Engineer (Precision Optics Technical Lead)
Job Code: 47218
Job Location: Rochester, New York
Job Schedule: 5/8 (Monday-Friday)
Job Description:
L3Harris’s Optics department in Rochester, NY, is seeking an experienced Optics Manufacturing Engineering Technical Lead to produce high-quality optical components for cutting-edge astronomical, high-energy laser, and earth imaging applications. As a Technical Lead you will provide technical leadership and coordination for complex optics across fabrication and inspection. This role will bring manufacturing, design, metrology, and quality together to resolve difficult problems, assess how recovery options affect final performance, and the material needed for later processing. Be a part of a team that pioneers precision manufacturing in optical technologies. If you have the skills and passion for precision optics, apply now to join us and contribute to groundbreaking projects in a dynamic and innovative environment.
Essential Functions:
- Plan the technical reviews and handoffs needed for a complex optical component.
- Resolve questions between manufacturing, design, metrology, supply chain and quality.
- Evaluate technical alternatives and communicate their impact on performance, cost, and schedule.
- Verify completion of required technical checks before critical manufacturing steps.
- Support complex manufacturing issues through troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and corrective action.
- Guide less experienced Technical Leads in evaluating requirements and resolving technical challenges.
- Prioritize tasks based on schedule requirements and process availability.
- Translate complex technical requirements into clear, actionable guidance for engineers and shop-floor technicians.
- Keep supervisors and project leaders informed of significant technical risks.
- Interpret technical requirements and communicate the impact on manufacturing process decisions.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s Degree and minimum 6 years of prior relevant experience. Graduate Degree and a minimum of 4 years of prior related experience. In lieu of a degree, minimum of 10 years of prior related experience.
- Ability to obtain a Secret security clearance
Preferred Additional Skills:
- Have or the ability to obtain SSBI with Polygraph.
- Able to support multiple projects in various stages of readiness.
- Independently coordinate complex manufacturing and measurement activities.
- Experience with large-aperture optics or other demanding precision components.
- Experience resolving problems involving both fabrication and metrology.
- Strong communicator, written and verbal communication skills within and outside of function.
- Background in optics, precision machining, polishing, metrology, CNC, or process engineering.
- Requires strong knowledge of optics manufacturing.
In compliance with pay transparency requirements, the salary range for this role in New York is $84,000 - $156,000. This is not a guarantee of compensation or salary, as final offer amount may vary based on factors including but not limited to experience and geographic location. L3Harris also offers a variety of benefits, including health and disability insurance, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, EAP, education assistance, parental leave, paid time off, and company-paid holidays. The specific programs and options available to an employee may vary depending on date of hire, schedule type, and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements.
#LI-ZB1
L3Harris Technologies is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. L3Harris is committed to treating all employees and applicants for employment with respect and dignity and maintaining a workplace that is free from unlawful discrimination. All applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or other related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, characteristic or membership in any other group protected by federal, state or local laws. L3Harris maintains a drug-free workplace and performs pre-employment substance abuse testing and background checks, where permitted by law.
Please be aware many of our positions require the ability to obtain a security clearance. Security clearances may only be granted to U.S. citizens. In addition, applicants who accept a conditional offer of employment may be subject to government security investigation(s) and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.
By submitting your resume for this position, you understand and agree that L3Harris Technologies may share your resume, as well as any other related personal information or documentation you provide, with its subsidiaries and affiliated companies for the purpose of considering you for other available positions.
L3Harris Technologies is an E-Verify Employer. Please click here for the E-Verify Poster in English or Spanish. For information regarding your Right To Work, please click here for English or Spanish.
See All 394+ Manufacturing Specialist Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Manufacturing Specialist JobsManufacturing Specialist Job Market
Who's Hiring
- L3Harris27
- SpaceX11
- Texas Instruments7
- Maverick Tech6M
- MaxIT Consulting - Max Corporate6M
Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services
- Chemicals & Materials
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals
- Construction & Real Estate
- Manufacturing
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in manufacturing specialist jobs.
- High school diploma or associate degree in a manufacturing or technical field
- Hands-on experience operating or maintaining production machinery and equipment
- Familiarity with lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement methods
- Knowledge of quality control standards such as ISO 9001 or GMP regulations
- Ability to read and interpret technical drawings, schematics, and work instructions
- OSHA safety certification or demonstrated compliance with workplace safety protocols
Tips for Your Manufacturing Specialist Job Search
Tailor your resume to process keywords
Manufacturing specialist job postings vary widely by industry, so mirror the exact terminology used in each listing. If the posting says 'lean manufacturing' or 'GMP compliance,' your resume needs those phrases in context, not buried in a skills list.
List certifications before job experience
Hiring managers for manufacturing roles scan for credentials like Six Sigma, OSHA 10 or 30, or IPC-A-610 before reading your work history. Put your certifications in a dedicated section near the top so they don't get missed in an ATS screen.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists manufacturing specialist openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Filter by facility type, not just title
The day-to-day reality of a manufacturing specialist role differs sharply between a cleanroom semiconductor plant and a high-volume automotive line. When searching, use facility or industry filters to find openings where your specific environment experience is a direct match.
Prepare a process improvement example in advance
Almost every manufacturing specialist interview includes a question about a time you identified and resolved a production inefficiency. Have one concrete example ready that names the problem, what you changed, and the measurable outcome, without overstating your individual role.
Negotiate shift differential and overtime terms early
Manufacturing roles often include rotating shifts or mandatory overtime that significantly affects total compensation. Clarify scheduling expectations and how premium pay is calculated during the offer stage, before you accept, so there are no surprises in your first pay period.
Manufacturing Specialist Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most manufacturing specialists?
The most active employers for manufacturing specialists right now are L3Harris, SpaceX, and Texas Instruments, and the most openings are in Texas, California, and Ohio, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Demand tends to concentrate near large industrial corridors and automotive or aerospace production hubs.
How many manufacturing specialist jobs are remote?
About 18% of manufacturing specialist openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the hands-on nature of most production environments. The sub-areas most likely to offer remote or hybrid arrangements include process documentation, quality systems management, and manufacturing engineering support roles that do not require physical line presence.
How do you become a manufacturing specialist?
Start by completing a relevant technical program, an associate degree in manufacturing technology, industrial engineering, or a related field gives you a strong foundation. Build hands-on experience through internships, apprenticeships, or entry-level production technician roles. Earning a lean or quality certification, such as Six Sigma Green Belt or an OSHA credential, strengthens your candidacy considerably when applying to specialist-level positions.
Can you get a manufacturing specialist job with little experience?
Yes, many employers hire candidates with limited experience into manufacturing specialist roles if they demonstrate strong technical aptitude and a willingness to learn specific processes. Highlighting coursework in manufacturing technology, any hands-on lab or shop experience, and a relevant certification like OSHA 10 helps offset a shorter work history. Smaller manufacturers and contract production facilities tend to be more open to developing less experienced candidates.
What does the manufacturing specialist interview process look like?
Most manufacturing specialist interviews begin with a phone or video screen focused on your technical background and familiarity with specific processes or equipment. An in-person stage typically follows, often including a facility tour so the hiring team can gauge your comfort in that environment. Expect scenario-based questions about troubleshooting production issues, quality escapes, or process improvement initiatives you have led or supported.
Where can I find and apply to manufacturing specialist jobs?
You can find and apply to manufacturing specialist jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Search the listings to find roles that match your background, skills, and preferred location, then apply directly to each opening that fits.
See All 394+ Manufacturing Specialist Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Manufacturing Specialist Jobs