Manufacturing Engineer II - Stage Machining

About the Team:

The Stage Manufacturing team turns design into reality, owning the build of Terran R’s primary structures. This isn’t about turning the same bolt every day; it’s about building the systems to build the rocket. Engineers and technicians work side by side, with deep collaboration and real-time feedback, to shape how we build better and faster. With a manifest and a launch date, it’s up to the team to deliver on Terran R: solving challenges in real time, optimizing for scale, and constantly improving processes. As the vehicle evolves, so will the factory, with opportunities to apply automation, machine learning, and advanced technologies. What we build here sets the blueprint for the future of scaled launch.

About the Role:

• Share ownership of operations on our 2 large 3-axis mills (20’x8’), 2 large 5-axis mills (20’x8’) and VTL (20’ diameter)
• Help introduce new products to these machines as well as improve current high-volume work across the 2 large 3-axis mills (20’x8’) and 2 large 5-axis mills (20’x8’)
• Collaborate closely with a diverse team of engineers specializing in design, manufacturing, and reliability, as well as internal production teams and external vendors, leveraging their collective expertise to drive progress
• Create work instructions, specifications, and best practices across multiple high-fidelity processes. Help standardize processes across the manufacturing team
• Help establish new machining work centers by championing the tooling and process definition needed to build parts for Terran R
• Support the shop floor through live issue resolution and provide upstream feedback as we innovate the next generation of manufacturing technology
• Provide Design for Manufacturing feedback to structures teams during the development phase and through the first prototype and flight build

About You:

• Bachelor’s degree in manufacturing, aeronautical, mechanical engineering, or other engineering discipline
• 5+ years progressive and related experience required
• 3D & 2D design/drafting skills per ASME Y14.5M (NX preferred)
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to interface with engineering and manufacturing groups to understand process constraints and provide design inputs for improved manufacturability
• Direct experience with CNC milling and turning operations across multiple materials
• Understanding of machine programming (G-code) and machine set-up
• Strong engineering fundamentals in statics, mechanics of materials, process improvement/factory design, fastening and joining, machining

Nice to haves, but not required:

• Extensive experience with CNC milling, turning, and drilling operations across multiple materials
• Aluminum experience and large parts >6’ is preferred
• Extensive experience with designing work holding for complicated machining operations
• New product introduction of an aerospace hardware system into a manufacturing, test, and production system with proven success
• Experience in managing projects in a fast-paced environment