Senior Manufacturing Engineer
About this role
Job DetailsLevel: ExperiencedJob Location: Torrance, CA 90505Position Type: Full TimeSalary Range: $120,000.00 - $145,000.00 SalaryJob Shift: DayJob Category: EngineeringPOSITION OVERVIEW:
Robinson Helicopter Company (RHC) is seeking a Senior Manufacturing Engineer to support the design, development, and continuous improvement of manufacturing processes used in the production of world-class rotorcraft.
This role is responsible for transforming engineering designs into robust, efficient, and repeatable manufacturing systems across machining, fabrication, assembly, and testing operations. The Senior Manufacturing Engineer works cross-functionally with Design Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and Production to ensure that aircraft components and assemblies are produced safely, efficiently, and in compliance with aerospace regulatory standards.
Manufacturing engineers in aerospace act as the bridge between product design and factory execution, defining the processes, equipment, tooling, and documentation required to produce aircraft hardware reliably and at scale.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Manufacturing Process Development
• Develop and implement manufacturing processes for rotorcraft structures, mechanical assemblies, powertrain components, and aircraft systems.
• Translate engineering drawings, specifications, and design intent into production-ready manufacturing plans.
• Design and validate production layouts, tooling, fixtures, and workstations.
• Establish standard work, manufacturing instructions, and process documentation.
Production Support & Technical Leadership
• Provide hands-on engineering support to the factory floor, resolving technical issues affecting production, quality, or schedule.
• Serve as the technical authority for manufacturing processes within assigned production areas.
• Mentor junior engineers and manufacturing technicians.
Continuous Improvement
• Lead Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and operational excellence initiatives.
• Analyze production performance metrics including:
o throughput
o first-pass yield
o cycle time
o cost of quality
• Identify opportunities to increase productivity, reduce waste, and improve product quality.
• New Product Introduction (NPI)
• Support introduction of new helicopter models, aircraft modifications, and configuration changes.
• Lead manufacturability reviews and Design for Manufacturing & Assembly (DFMA) assessments.
• Develop tooling strategies and process qualification plans.
Compliance & Quality Assurance
• Ensure manufacturing processes meet aerospace regulatory and quality requirements including:
o FAA regulations
o AS9100 quality management systems
o internal quality procedures
• Participate in root cause analysis and corrective actions for production issues.
Capital Equipment & Automation
• Identify, justify, and implement advanced manufacturing technologies, including automation, robotics, CNC machining, and digital manufacturing tools.
• Lead capital equipment selection, specification, and commissioning.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Coordinate with:
o Design Engineering
o Quality Assurance
o Production Control
o Supply Chain
o Tooling and Maintenance
• Support production planning and execution to meet aircraft delivery schedules.
QualificationsRequired Qualifications
Education
• Bachelor’s degree in:
o Mechanical Engineering
o Aerospace Engineering
o Manufacturing Engineering
o Industrial Engineering
o or related engineering discipline
Experience
• 8+ years of manufacturing engineering experience
• Experience in aerospace or regulated manufacturing environments preferred
• Demonstrated experience supporting production operation
Technical Skills
• Strong knowledge of:
• machining and fabrication processes
• mechanical assembly
• tooling and fixture design
• process validation
• Proficiency with:
• CAD systems
• ERP/MES manufacturing systems
• process documentation and control
Manufacturing Methodologies
• Lean Manufacturing
• Six Sigma / Continuous Improvement
• Root Cause Analysis
• Process capability and statistical analysis
Manufacturing engineers typically evaluate and improve manufacturing processes, design systems for production, and implement technical solutions to improve efficiency and quality.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Experience in rotorcraft or aircraft manufacturing
Familiarity with FAA Part 21 / production certification environments
Knowledge of aerospace materials including
aluminum alloys
titanium
stainless steels
composites
Experience with CNC machining, assembly lines, or automated manufacturing systems
Project management experience leading cross-functional engineering initiatives
KEY COMPENTENCIES:
Strong analytical and problem-solving capability
Leadership and mentoring ability
Excellent technical communication
Hands-on factory mindset
Data-driven decision making
Salary Range: $120,000.00-$145,000.00
Company at a glance
Robinson Helicopter Company was founded in 1973 by Frank Robinson, whose
vision was to produce the world’s highest quality, most reliable helicopters in the most efficient, cost effective way possible. Robinson introduced the two-place piston powered R22 in 1979. The affordable, personal-type design quickly made helicopter ownership accessible to a broader audience and changed the face of general aviation. Today, the company’s top sellers are its R44 and R66 helicopters, respectively. To date, Robinson Helicopter Company has produced more than 13,000 helicopters.
Robinson puts great emphasis on research and development, continually making
improvements and offering new technology. Among its latest introductions are a cargo hook for the R66 and an autopilot designed specifically for helicopters.
Robinson manufactures, assembles, inspects, and flight tests all of its helicopters at its Torrance, California factory. To ensure the highest quality and to maximize efficiency, the company manufactures a large percentage of parts in house and
employs a highly skilled workforce. Robinson also offers monthly pilot safety and maintenance courses at the factory that attract a global audience.
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