Sr. Manufacturing Engineer

Why LeoLabs? At LeoLabs, we’re building the living map of activity in space. Through our proprietary global radar network and AI-enabled analytics platform, we collect millions of measurements daily on more than 25,000 objects in low Earth orbit (LEO). Our radar-powered intelligence protects billions in assets, monitors adversarial behavior, and ensures safe operations for commercial and government missions. We’re not just building technology, we are redefining global security, safety, and transparency in space. As orbital activity accelerates and threats grow more complex, LeoLabs is a trusted partner for Space Domain Awareness, Space Traffic Management, and Satellite Operations for top-tier space operators and allied defense organizations. If you're looking to work on mission-critical challenges at the forefront of aerospace, national security, and AI, your impact starts here. As a Senior Manufacturing Engineer, you will help bridge the gap between engineering and production, ensuring our hardware is designed for efficient, repeatable manufacturing. You will work closely with design engineers, supply chain, and contract manufacturers to develop production processes, improve manufacturability, and guide new products from prototype builds into production. This is a hands-on role for an engineer who enjoys solving practical problems and building manufacturing systems that scale.  You will support manufacturing across printed circuit board assemblies, electromechanical systems, and complex radar hardware while helping establish the processes, documentation, and workflows that enable reliable production. This is a full-time, onsite position based in Menlo Park, California.  You will be responsible for:  Lead Design for Manufacturability (DFM) reviews throughout the hardware development lifecycle  Develop manufacturing processes, work instructions, and assembly documentation for complex radar hardware  Serve as the primary technical interface between Hardware Engineering and contract manufacturers  Support prototype builds and guide products through New Product Introduction (NPI) into production  Partner with engineering to improve manufacturability, serviceability, and production readiness of PCBAs and electromechanical assemblies  Develop production tooling, fixtures, inspection methods, and manufacturing workflows  Support root cause investigations and implement process improvements that improve quality, yield, and throughput  Collaborate with Supply Chain to ensure manufacturing documentation, BOMs, and production releases are complete and accurate  Drive continuous improvement across manufacturing processes, documentation, and factory readiness  Qualifications  Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related technical discipline  7+ years of experience supporting the manufacture of complex electronic or electromechanical products  Strong understanding of Design for Manufacturability (DFM) principles for PCBAs and mechanical assemblies  Experience supporting New Product Introduction (NPI) from prototype through production  Working knowledge of PCB fabrication, SMT assembly, panelization, IPC workmanship standards, and electronics manufacturing processes  Experience creating manufacturing documentation, assembly instructions, and production workflows  Familiarity with Arena or another PLM system, NetSuite or another ERP system, and SolidWorks  Excellent communication skills with experience working across engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, and external suppliers  Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. personnel security clearance  Preferred Qualifications  Experience supporting low- to medium-volume production of complex hardware systems  Experience working directly with contract manufacturers and electronics suppliers  Familiarity with PCB test strategies, fixture development, and manufacturing validation  Experience with root cause analysis, process validation, and continuous improvement methodologies  Experience supporting aerospace, defense, robotics, or other high-reliability hardware products  Experience developing scalable manufacturing processes in a fast-paced engineering environment  Within 1 month, you’ll:  Complete onboarding and become familiar with LeoLabs' products, manufacturing workflows, and hardware development process  Learn our existing production processes, contract manufacturers, and documentation systems  Begin supporting active prototype and production builds   Within 3 months, you’ll:  Lead DFM reviews for active hardware programs   Develop manufacturing documentation and assembly processes for new products   Establish working relationships with our contract manufacturers and key suppliers   Within 6 months, you’ll:  Drive multiple products through prototype builds and into production  Improve manufacturing workflows, documentation, and production readiness across the Hardware Engineering organization  Become the technical lead for manufacturing process development on new hardware programs  Within 12 months, you’ll:  Lead manufacturing engineering activities across multiple radar development programs  Deliver scalable production processes that improve quality, yield, and manufacturability  Establish yourself as the technical authority on how LeoLabs designs hardware for efficient manufacturing and long-term production success  Compensation The base salary range for this position is $148,000 + bonus + stock options + benefits   Compensation Note: The salary range for this position is benchmarked based on the designated primary work location for the role. Final compensation may vary depending on the selected candidate's work location, applicable market data, experience, qualifications, and other job-related factors.Perks and Benefits Global workforce: flexible remote/hybrid opportunities Work on complex, meaningful missions with real-world impact Unlimited paid time off for most roles Competitive salary and equity packages Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage Access to the forefront of commercial space operations and defense innovation   ITAR Requirements  To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. More information regarding ITAR can be found at DDTC’s website.     Vendor Notification LeoLabs does not engage external staffing agencies or third-party recruiting firms for this role. Unsolicited candidate submissions will not be considered.   All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.