Lead Manufacturing Readiness Engineer - Next Gen Products

About the role

The Lead Manufacturing Readiness Engineer supports manufacturing readiness, process maturation and launch execution for Next Gen product and process technologies. The role turns readiness strategies into detailed action plans, closes manufacturing gaps and partners with engineering, quality, supply chain and operations to ensure successful production launch. It works directly with production and functional teams to mature manufacturing methods, collect readiness evidence and track risk reduction.

Key responsibilities

• Execute manufacturing readiness plans for assigned programs, including action tracking, readiness assessments, evidence collection and support for gate and milestone reviews
• Support Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL) activities by identifying gaps, driving closure actions and keeping readiness status and risk visible
• Translate product and technology requirements into detailed manufacturing development and production readiness action plans
• Partner with design engineering to identify producibility concerns early and implement manufacturing-focused risk mitigation plans
• Support the development and maturation of manufacturing processes, including production methods, tooling concepts, fixtures and implementation planning
• Follow up readiness reviews, tollgates and tier meetings by documenting actions, owners, due dates and closure evidence
• Build and maintain dashboards, trackers and visual management tools monitoring launch risk, deployment progress, MRL maturity and SQDC metrics
• Support APQP, PFMEA, control plans and structured problem-solving to reduce manufacturing risk
• Work with production teams to prepare processes for rate, yield, quality and delivery targets, and support internal and supplier readiness activities
• Capture lessons learned and standardize best practices, readiness tools and repeatable methods for future launches
• Foster a lean operating culture using FLIGHT DECK principles such as standard work, daily management, action planning and problem solving

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing, Mechanical, Materials, Chemical, Aerospace, Industrial Engineering or a related technical field
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in manufacturing engineering, process development, new product introduction (NPI), industrialization or production readiness
• Experience working cross-functionally with engineering, operations, quality and supply chain teams
• Experience supporting implementation of new manufacturing technologies in production environments
• Preferred: aerospace, defense or other regulated manufacturing experience; advanced or special manufacturing processes; Lean / Six Sigma or continuous improvement training

Required skills

• Experience with MRL, APQP, PFMEA, control plans, launch tollgates or similar readiness frameworks
• Strong analytical, organizational and communication skills
• Preferred: dashboarding, KPI management and visual operating systems

This role requires access to U.S. export-controlled information, so U.S. person status is required. Relocation assistance is provided.