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Contract Manufacturing Engineer Jobs in California

Astranis

Manufacturing Engineer, Additive

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$86K - $110K/yr

Manufacturing Engineer, Additive This role is our first Manufacturing Engineer focused on additive ... Work with supplier quality and contract manufacturers, to develop their manufacturing and quality ...

Diality

Manufacturing Engineer III

Irvine, CA · On-site

$78K - $100K/yr

Work closely with vendors and contract manufacturers on technical and operational issues * Assist ... Four-year engineering degree * At least 2 years of design transfer experience is a mus * Biomedical ...

Astranis

Manufacturing Engineer, Additive

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$86K - $110K/yr

Manufacturing Engineer, Additive This role is our first Manufacturing Engineer focused on additive ... Work with supplier quality and contract manufacturers, to develop their manufacturing and quality ...

Rocket EMS

PCBA Manufacturing Engineer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$85K - $110K/yr

Experience in an EMS or contract manufacturing environment. * Experience with high-mix, low- to medium-volume PCBA production. * Experience with SMT programming, stencil design, reflow profiling ...

Rocket EMS

PCBA Manufacturing Engineer

Santa Clara, CA

$85K - $110K/yr

Experience in an EMS or contract manufacturing environment. * Experience with high-mix, low- to medium-volume PCBA production. * Experience with SMT programming, stencil design, reflow profiling ...

Etched

Thermal Manufacturing Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$2.0K/mo

You'll work hands-on with contract manufacturing partners and internal hardware, thermal, and ... Own the end-to-end manufacturing engineering for thermal components and assemblies (focus on cold ...

Etched

Thermal Manufacturing Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$2.0K/mo

You'll work hands-on with contract manufacturing partners and internal hardware, thermal, and ... Own the end-to-end manufacturing engineering for thermal components and assemblies (focus on cold ...

Ferrotec Usa

Manufacturing Engineer II

Livermore, CA · On-site

$82K - $106K/yr

The manufacturing engineer determines the necessary personnel and equipment capabilities for ... Must have related experience in semiconductor manufacturing equipment and/or contract manufacturing.

Vantedge Medical - VDB

Manufacturing Engineer III

San Jose, CA · On-site

$85K - $110K/yr

The primary responsibility is to apply strong engineering and problem-solving skills to drive improvements in quality, delivery, cost and capacity in a contract manufacturing environment. This role ...

Apple

Advanced Manufacturing Engineer

Cupertino, CA · On-site

Advanced Manufacturing Engineer (AME) is responsible for designing precision assembly and ... and contract manufacturer's factory - Engage machine suppliers for automated equipment design ...

Hikinex

Manufacturing Engineer - Effectors

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$110K - $160K/yr

Manufacturing Engineer - Effectors An advanced aerospace and defense technology company is seeking ... Exposure to contract manufacturing, supplier industrialization, or production transfer activities ...

Specter

Manufacturing Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$86K - $110K/yr

Specter is hiring a Manufacturing Engineer to bridge the gap between hardware engineering design ... Travel as needed to suppliers, contract manufacturers, and deployment sites to support builds and ...

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsContract Manufacturing Engineer JobsContract Manufacturing Engineer Jobs in California

Contract Manufacturing Engineer information

See California salary details

$46.9K

$84.5K

$118.4K

How much do contract manufacturing engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for contract manufacturing engineer in California is $84,492.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $72,000.00 and $92,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges contract manufacturing engineers face when managing multiple vendor relationships?

Contract Manufacturing Engineers often juggle several vendor relationships simultaneously, which can present challenges in maintaining consistent quality standards, ensuring timely delivery, and managing clear communication across different teams. Balancing the expectations of internal stakeholders with the capabilities and constraints of external partners requires strong organizational and negotiation skills. Proactively addressing production issues and fostering transparent communication with vendors are key strategies for overcoming these challenges and ensuring project success.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a contract manufacturing engineer?

To thrive as a Contract Manufacturing Engineer, you need a solid background in engineering principles, manufacturing processes, and quality assurance, typically supported by a bachelor's degree in engineering or a related field. Familiarity with CAD software, ERP systems, and Lean or Six Sigma certifications are commonly required for overseeing production efficiency and compliance. Strong project management, problem-solving skills, and effective communication with both internal teams and external vendors make professionals stand out in this role. These skills are crucial for ensuring high-quality, cost-effective manufacturing solutions and seamless collaboration across organizations.

What is the difference between Contract Manufacturing Engineer vs Manufacturing Engineer?

AspectContract Manufacturing EngineerManufacturing Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's in Engineering, certifications like Six Sigma or LeanBachelor's in Engineering, certifications like Six Sigma or Lean
Work EnvironmentContract-based, often project-specific, in manufacturing plants or supplier facilitiesFull-time, in manufacturing plants or corporate offices
Employer & Industry UsageManufacturing firms, suppliers, contract manufacturersManufacturing companies, industrial firms, OEMs

Both roles require similar technical credentials and work in manufacturing environments. However, Contract Manufacturing Engineers focus on managing outsourced production projects, while Manufacturing Engineers oversee ongoing production processes within a company. The choice depends on whether the role is project-specific or continuous process improvement.

What is a contract manufacturing engineer?

A Contract Manufacturing Engineer is a professional who is hired on a temporary or project basis to manage and optimize manufacturing processes for a company. Their responsibilities often include designing efficient production systems, ensuring product quality, and collaborating with suppliers or contract manufacturers. They may also help with scaling production, troubleshooting issues, and implementing cost-saving measures. Contract Manufacturing Engineers are typically employed for their specialized expertise and flexibility, supporting organizations during periods of transition, growth, or when specific skills are needed.
What are the most commonly searched types of Manufacturing Engineer jobs in California? The most popular types of Manufacturing Engineer jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Contract Manufacturing Engineer jobs in California? For Contract Manufacturing Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Contract Manufacturing Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Contract Manufacturing Engineer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Contract Manufacturing Engineer jobs? Cities in California with the most Contract Manufacturing Engineer job openings:
Contract Manufacturing Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Contract Manufacturing Engineer job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 4% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 3% Contract, and 2% Nights. Highlights an 96% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $84,492 per year, or $40.6 per hour.

Manufacturing Engineer, Additive

Astranis

San Francisco, CA • On-site

$86K - $110K/yr

Full-time

Posted 26 days ago

Job description

Manufacturing Engineer, Additive

This role is our first Manufacturing Engineer focused on additive manufacturing and will be responsible for building Astranis's additive manufacturing capability from the ground up. This Engineer owns the entire lifecycle of our additive components - from working closely with the mechanical engineering team to ensure parts are designed for manufacturability to developing production processes, tooling, and inspection procedures on the factory floor. The Manufacturing Engineer is a highly cross-functional role requiring both technical and hands on skills to bridge the gap between design and production. A successful candidate will apply knowledge of GD&T, 5-axis CNC machining, additive qualification processes, and CMM/ optical inspection to solve difficult problems in real time and drive improvements that directly impact our ability to get to space faster. 

Role

  • Own additive metal by developing Astranis's Laser Bed Powder Fusion process from the ground up.
  • Own PEEK, ULTEM, and other engineered thermoplastic 3D printing processes.  
  • Work with design engineering to drive Design for Additive Manufacturing (DFAM), including participating in design reviews and assisting in tolerance stack up analysis.
  • Develop standard operating procedures for printer calibration and maintenance.
  • Develop process monitoring capability and print quality inspection criteria to ensure high print quality with minimal yield loss.
  • Develop qualification tests and standard coupons for printed part quality and as-printed material properties.
  • Write work instructions, work order templates, process specifications, and other build documents.
  • Troubleshoot non-conformances on the floor to determine a disposition, root cause, and drive corrective actions. 
  • Assist in machining and programming operations as required for R&D and production.
  • Assist in designing and creating fixturing for production.
  • Work with supplier quality and contract manufacturers, to develop their manufacturing and quality processes and respond to questions and issues.
  • Design and implement lean systems for continuous improvement.
  • Own 5S activities throughout the additive manufacturing area.

Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, manufacturing engineering, physics, or equivalent technical degree.
  • 2+ years of direct professional experience in additive manufacturing, more specifically metal (Laser Bed Powder Fusion).
  • Experience with explosive/combustible powder storage and handling best practices. 
  • Familiarity with additive software (nTop, 3DXpert, Materialise Magics, Netfabbm Ansys Additivem Altair Inspire Print 3D, or equivalents)
  • 1+ years of experience in CNC machining, with exposure to complex machining centers (5-axis mills).
  • Experience with 3D CAD software (Solidworks, Siemens NX, or similar).
  • Highly competent in GD&T and drawing reviews.
  • Experience in writing technical documents. 
  • Knowledge of different manufacturing process and their general quality capability. 
  • Mechanical design experience including creating solid models and prints.
  • Must be onsite 5 days a week.

Bonus

  • Masters degree in relevant STEM field, especially with applications in Additive Manufacturing.
  • Experience with advanced post processing techniques such as annealing and Hot Isostatic Pressing. 
  • Experience with CAM software (Fusion 360, Mastercam, Siemens NX, or similar).
  • Hands on experience working as a Machinist programming and running 5-axis parts. 
  • Experience working with complex machining centers (mill/ turns, horizontals, multi-channel machines, and automated systems).
  • Has worked with contract manufacturers to set up and qualify manufacturing processes.
  • Hands-on experience reading and interpreting first article inspection reports, using precision hand tools, and implementing tolerance stack up analysis on parts.
  • Experience with MES/ MRP systems in a production environment. 

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