Manufacturing Engineer.

Job Function:  Manufacturing Engineer

Employment type: Full Time, hourly

Location: Ventura, CA

Reports to: Engineering Manager

Industry: Defense, Space, Aircraft, Medical

About the Role

We are seeking a motivated, hands-on Manufacturing Engineer to join our growing engineering team at Strand Products, a 100% employee-owned manufacturer serving the medical device, aerospace, and defense industries.

In this role, you will lead the development, implementation, validation, and continuous improvement of manufacturing processes used to produce high-precision wire and cable assemblies. You will work cross-functionally with Engineering, Quality, Production, Maintenance, and Supply Chain to improve quality, increase productivity, reduce manufacturing costs, and successfully introduce new products into production.

This position is ideal for an engineer who enjoys spending time on the manufacturing floor solving technical problems, implementing automation, improving processes through data, and driving operational excellence.

What You’ll Do

Operations

• Develop, validate, document, and continuously improve manufacturing processes.
• Lead or support New Product Introduction (NPI) activities.
• Design and optimize tooling, fixtures, and production equipment.
• Create and maintain work instructions, PFMEAs, Control Plans, BOMs, routers, and engineering change documentation.
• Lead IQ/OQ/PQ and process verification activities.
• Develop validation protocols and reports.
• Perform capability studies, GR&R, DOE, and statistical analysis using Minitab.
• Lead Lean initiatives, Kaizen events, and waste reduction projects.
• Improve throughput, yield, OEE, and reduce scrap and downtime.
• Monitor KPIs and implement corrective actions.
• Specify, install, qualify, and integrate manufacturing equipment.
• Support automation initiatives including PLC-controlled equipment, machine vision systems, sensors, data acquisition, and manufacturing equipment integration.
• Collaborate with Maintenance and equipment suppliers to improve equipment reliability and uptime.
• Provide daily production engineering support.
• Troubleshoot manufacturing issues using structured problem-solving methodologies.
• Support cleanroom manufacturing operations and train production personnel.
• Identify and implement cost reduction opportunities through process optimization, waste elimination, and equipment improvements.

Quality & Compliance Support

• Partner with Quality to investigate manufacturing-related nonconformances and customer complaints, perform root cause analysis using 5 Why, Fishbone, FMEA, and related tools, and implement corrective actions related to manufacturing processes.
• Support MRB activities by providing technical evaluations and disposition recommendations and implementing resulting process improvements.
• Provide technical support for customer quality requests, corrective actions, and quality reporting activities.
• Assist with supplier qualification and monitoring activities.
• Support applicable ISO 9001, AS9100, ISO 13485, customer, and audit requirements as they relate to manufacturing processes and engineering documentation.

Who You Are

• BS/MS Degree in Engineering or related field.
• 5+ years of experience in Engineering in a medical device or aerospace manufacturing environment.
• Must have excellent analytical and computer skills including Minitab, SolidWorks (preferred), 3D printing, MRP or ERP systems, and Microsoft Office.
• Experience working within ISO9001, AS9100, and/or ISO 13485 quality management systems.
• Able to communicate at all levels.
• Excellent communication skills (both written and verbal) required.
• Demonstrated high attention to detail
• Process-oriented mindset focused on continuous improvement, excellent problem-solving skills.
• Exhibits a strong sense of self-awareness and humility.
• Collaborative work style, able to work well within and across departments.
• Result & action oriented with a sense of urgency.
• Rational thinker with the ability to excel in stressful situations.

What You’ll Get

• Employee ownership through our ESOP program.
• Comprehensive benefits including health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance.
• Paid holidays and up to 3 weeks of paid time off annually.
• The opportunity to contribute to innovative, high-precision products used in critical global applications.

One Strand. One Purpose — to save, protect, and enhance lives.