Manufacturing Specialist II at APR Consulting Inc in Pasadena, CA

A Manufacturing Specialist II position just opened up at JPL/NASA in Pasadena, CA. In this role you will be responsible to perform manufacturing engineering functions supporting the development of mechanical hardware.

Location: Pasadena, CA 91109 (In Office)
Position: Manufacturing Specialist II
Pay Rate: $36 – 68/hr DOE
Duration: 22 months
Schedule: 1st shift, 9/80 (You’ll be working 80 hours over 9 days, instead of the traditional 10; So for example, you may work 9-hour days Monday through Thursday, and on Fridays, you either work an 8-hour day or take regular day off.)
We do offer paid time offs, holidays, 401k, medical, dental, and vision

Job Summary
As the Manufacturing Specialist, you will work for JPL’s Mechanical Fabrication and Test Section, which maintains technical support facilities and resources to fabricate, assemble, and test electro-mechanical developmental and flight hardware. The Section develops and matures equipment and technologies that enable and enhance fabrication and environmental test capability for current and future missions. At Level II, you will perform varied manufacturing engineering assignments of moderate complexity, working independently on assigned tasks with limited supervision and seeking guidance for unusual or especially difficult issues.

Work Schedule and Location
This position is primarily onsite to support the hands-on nature of manufacturing operations, hardware development, and collaboration with engineering and fabrication teams. Depending on project requirements, operational needs, and management approval, there may be limited flexibility for part-time remote work or a hybrid schedule. Full-time onsite presence remains the preferred arrangement to ensure effective collaboration, timely technical support, and responsiveness to mission-critical activities.

Responsibilities

• Perform manufacturing engineering functions supporting the development of mechanical hardware.
• Establish and maintain interfaces with JPL customers, cognizant engineers, and group members.
• Review drawings and models for Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and recommend practical improvements to manufacturing and assembly processes.
• Develop, maintain, and prepare manufacturing instructions and sequences for fabrication and assembly.
• Support fixture design and prepare manufacturing process plans for assigned hardware.
• Assist in locating, evaluating, and establishing vendors as laboratory resources for fabrication; coordinate with outside vendors as needed.
• Plan, initiate, and monitor assigned hardware fabrication activities through delivery; identify technical, cost, or schedule concerns and elevate issues as appropriate.
• Use applicable Oracle Discrete Manufacturing modules to monitor work, estimate work in process (WIP), and track technical progress.
• Contribute to make-or-buy evaluations and manufacturing estimates for in-house and outsourced work.
• Support equipment and tooling inspections, identify efficiency or process issues, and recommend corrective actions or improvements.
• Attend Manufacturing Engineering group meetings, follow applicable attendance requirements, and perform ad-hoc assignments as directed.

Required Skills

• Experience in aerospace, or other high-precision hardware manufacturing, or assembly.
• Ability to review drawings for Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and recommend improvements to manufacturability.
• Ability to prepare fabrication instructions and sequences.
• Ability to support fixture/tooling design
• Ability to collaborate with engineers and customers on feasibility, design, and evaluation of equipment and experiments.
• Ability to communicate effectively with suppliers, peers, customers, and line or project management.
• Good verbal and written communication skills and ability to work independently on assigned tasks with limited supervision.
• Ability to develop manufacturing estimates and plans for in-house fabrication and outsourced work.
• Willingness to work extended shift and weekends as required to meet project schedules

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical discipline with 3 years of related experience; or Master’s degree with 1 year of related experience; or PhD with 0 years of related experience.
• Related experience should include manufacturing engineering, fabrication, assembly, or development of precision hardware.

Desired Skills

• Familiarity with JPL policies, procedures, best practices, and methodologies related to manufacturing engineering.
• Experience planning (storyboarding) and executing mechanical assembly activities.
• Understanding of critical equipment-handling sequences and precision hardware requirements.
• Experience interpreting incomplete or preliminary design information and helping engineering personnel identify practical manufacturing solutions.
• Experience with configuration management software for mechanical hardware design release.
• Self-motivated and able to manage multiple assignments of varied complexity using sound practical judgment.

Since 1980 APR Consulting, Inc. has provided professional recruiting and contingent workforce solutions to a diverse mix of clients, industries, and skill sets nationwide.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Don't miss out on this amazing opportunity! If you feel your experience is the match for this position please apply today and join our team. We look forward to working with you!

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