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Director Manufacturing Engineering Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Director Manufacturing Engineering information

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$73K

$194.7K

$254K

How much do director manufacturing engineering jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 31, 2026, the average yearly pay for director manufacturing engineering in the United States is $194,709.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $141,500.00 and $253,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a Director of Manufacturing Engineering do?

A Director of Manufacturing Engineering oversees the design, implementation, and improvement of manufacturing processes within an organization. They lead teams of engineers, manage projects, and collaborate with other departments to ensure efficient production, quality standards, and cost-effectiveness. Their responsibilities often include strategic planning, process optimization, technology integration, and ensuring compliance with safety and regulatory requirements. This leadership role is critical in driving innovation and maintaining competitive manufacturing operations.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Director of Manufacturing Engineering, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Director of Manufacturing Engineering, you need deep expertise in manufacturing processes, engineering management, and process optimization, usually supported by a bachelor’s or master’s degree in engineering and significant leadership experience. Familiarity with enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, lean manufacturing methodologies, Six Sigma certifications, and advanced manufacturing technologies is typically required. Strong leadership, strategic thinking, and excellent communication skills help drive cross-functional teams and foster innovation. These capabilities are vital for ensuring operational efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and continuous improvement in a competitive manufacturing environment.

What are some common challenges faced by a Director of Manufacturing Engineering and how can they be addressed?

A Director of Manufacturing Engineering often encounters challenges such as integrating new technologies, scaling production efficiently, and managing cross-functional teams. Balancing cost, quality, and speed while implementing process improvements requires strong project management and communication skills. Proactively fostering collaboration between engineering, operations, and quality teams helps address issues early and ensures alignment with organizational goals. Staying updated on industry advancements and investing in team development are also key to overcoming these challenges.

What is the difference between Director Manufacturing Engineering vs Manufacturing Engineer?

AspectDirector Manufacturing EngineeringManufacturing Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Engineering, often with leadership experienceBachelor's in Engineering or related field, entry to mid-level
Work EnvironmentStrategic planning, team leadership, cross-department collaborationHands-on production, process improvement, equipment troubleshooting
Industry UsageOversees manufacturing operations, sets long-term goalsExecutes manufacturing processes, supports production teams

The main difference between a Director Manufacturing Engineering and a Manufacturing Engineer lies in scope and responsibility. The director focuses on strategic planning, leadership, and overseeing multiple teams, while the manufacturing engineer handles day-to-day process improvements and technical tasks. Both roles are essential in manufacturing, but they operate at different levels of management and technical involvement.

More about Director Manufacturing Engineering jobs
What cities are hiring for Director Manufacturing Engineering jobs? Cities with the most Director Manufacturing Engineering job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Manufacturing Engineering jobs? The most popular types of Manufacturing Engineering jobs are:
What states have the most Director Manufacturing Engineering jobs? States with the most job openings for Director Manufacturing Engineering jobs include:
Infographic showing various Director Manufacturing Engineering job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 84% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $194,709 per year, or $93.6 per hour.

Director, Manufacturing Engineering

ANDURIL INDUSTRIES

Costa Mesa, CA

$292K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 10 days ago


Anduril rating

9.1

Company rating: 9.1 out of 10

Anduril

Based on 17 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

7.4

Company rating compared to similar companies: 7.4 out of 10

Manufacturers average

Based on 74,622 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Anduril Industries is a defense technology company with a mission to transform U.S. and allied military capabilities with advanced technology. By bringing the expertise, technology, and business model of the 21st century's most innovative companies to the defense industry, Anduril is changing how military systems are designed, built and sold. Anduril's family of systems is powered by Lattice OS, an AI-powered operating system that turns thousands of data streams into a realtime, 3D command and control center. As the world enters an era of strategic competition, Anduril is committed to bringing cutting-edge autonomy, AI, computer vision, sensor fusion, and networking technology to the military in months, not years.
ABOUT THE TEAM
We are seeking an experienced and results-driven Director of Manufacturing Engineering to lead and drive the strategic development, execution, and continuous improvement of manufacturing processes across the organization. This leader will oversee engineering teams across diverse product lines, ensuring efficient production, scalability, and quality while supporting new product introductions, automation initiatives, and operational excellence. The role also emphasizes scaling production in a fast-paced environment, advancing digital manufacturing tools, and supporting the development of classified systems that meet stringent operational and security requirements.
ABOUT THE ROLE
As the Director of Manufacturing Engineering, your role encompasses the strategic oversight and tactical management of manufacturing engineering and systems to support both the development of new products and the scaling of high-volume production at Arsenal. You are charged with ensuring rigorous manufacturing processes are in place, resulting in the consistent delivery of superior quality products to our customers. Your leadership will also guarantee the fulfillment of manufacturing's capacity commitments while driving advancements in digital tools and methodologies to improve design, analysis, and execution. This role demands an innovative and adaptable approach to solving complex manufacturing challenges in a highly dynamic environment.
WHAT YOU'LL DO
Strategic Leadership
  • Develop and implement a long-term manufacturing engineering strategy aligned with company goals.
  • Drive innovation in manufacturing processes, automation, and technology adoption to enhance efficiency and scalability for both development and high-volume production.
  • Define KPIs, measure performance, and ensure alignment with operational and business objectives.
  • Architect the requirements and roadmaps for next-generation digital manufacturing tools to improve manufacturing design, analysis, and production efficiency.
  • Build systems and processes to support the manufacturing design and production of classified products in compliance with security and regulatory requirements.
Operational Excellence
  • Oversee the optimization of manufacturing methods, tooling, and processes to improve quality, reduce costs, and increase throughput.
  • Lead initiatives in lean manufacturing to reduce waste and improve production attainment and efficiency.
  • Develop scalable processes to support rapid growth and adapt to a highly dynamic production environment.
  • Ensure all manufacturing practices meet safety, quality, and regulatory compliance standards, including classified product handling.
  • Manage manufacturing plans across the product portfolio to adapt to fluctuations in capacity and demand, ensuring seamless production continuity and resource optimization.
Team Development
  • Build, lead, and mentor a high-performing team of manufacturing engineers and technical staff.
  • Foster cross-functional collaboration across Production, Quality, Supply Chain, and Product Development teams.
  • Promote a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.
New Product Introduction (NPI)
  • Partner with R&D and product development teams to ensure seamless transition of new products from design to production.
  • Drive Design for Manufacturability (DfM) and Design for Assembly (DfA) principles during product development, ensuring smooth scaling into production.
  • Develop capacity plans and provide oversight for factory scoping, setup, and ramp-up to support production scaling and operational readiness.
Resource Planning
    • Manage budgets, resources, and staffing for the manufacturing engineering department.
    • Forecast future operational and headcount needs to support scaling efforts for high-growth production environments.
    • Plan for rapid response to large-scale program demands, including classified systems, with short ramp-up times.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical, Industrial, or Electrical Engineering (or related field).
  • 10+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering, with 5+ years in a leadership role.
  • Proven track record of scaling manufacturing operations in highly dynamic and fast-paced environments.
  • Expertise in lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, and process optimization.
  • Strong knowledge of automation, robotics, and advanced manufacturing technologies.
  • Experience in developing, implementing, and utilizing digital manufacturing tools for design and analysis.
  • Familiarity with manufacturing processes for classified systems, including security and compliance considerations.
  • Excellent leadership, communication, and project management skills.
  • Experience in managing New Product Introduction (NPI) and scaling production for high-growth environments.
  • Familiar with Product Life Cycle (PLM) systems, Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), and Test Execution Systems (TES).
  • Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance.

US Salary Range
$220,000-$292,000 USD
The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full time offers; and are considered part of Anduril's total compensation package. Additionally, Anduril offers top-tier benefits for full-time employees, including:
Benefits
At Anduril, we invest in our people. Our comprehensive, competitive benefits package (available at little to no cost to employees) ensures you're supported in health, recovery, and whatever comes next. For more information, Explore Our Benefits.
Protecting Yourself from Recruitment Scams
Anduril is committed to maintaining the integrity of our Talent acquisition process and the security of our candidates. We've observed a rise in sophisticated phishing and fraudulent schemes where individuals impersonate Anduril representatives, luring job seekers with false interviews or job offers. These scammers often attempt to extract payment or sensitive personal information.
To ensure your safety and help you navigate your job search with confidence, please keep the following critical points in mind:
  • No Financial Requests: Anduril will never solicit payment or demand personal financial details (such as banking information, credit card numbers, or social security numbers) at any stage of our hiring process. Our legitimate recruitment is entirely free for candidates.
  • Please always verify communications:
    • Direct from Anduril: If you receive an email from one of our recruiters, it will only come from an @anduril.com address.
    • Via Agency Partner: If contacted by a recruiting agency for an Anduril role, their email will clearly identify their agency. If you suspect any suspicious activity, please verify the agency's authenticity by reaching out to contact@anduril.com.
  • Exercise Caution with Unsolicited Outreach: If you receive any communication that appears suspicious, contains grammatical errors, or makes unusual requests, do not engage. Always confirm the sender's email domain is @anduril.com before providing any personal information or clicking on links.
  • What to Do If You Suspect Fraud: Should you encounter any questionable or fraudulent outreach claiming to be from Anduril, please report it immediately to contact@anduril.com. Your proactive caution is invaluable in protecting your personal information and upholding the security and trustworthiness of our recruitment efforts.

Data Privacy
To view Anduril's candidate data privacy policy, please visit https://anduril.com/applicant-privacy-notice/.
By submitting your application, you consent to Anduril Industries using a third-party service provider to conduct pre-employment risk, integrity, and due diligence screening and assessing potential risks as part of your application process. This third-party service provider provides risk-intelligence services that may include analysis of sanctions and watchlists, adverse media, public-record information, and other lawful open-source or commercial data sources. This third-party service provider does not act as a consumer reporting agency. Use of this provider helps to ensure compliance with applicable laws and protect technology, intellectual property, and organizational security.

Working at Anduril

About Anduril, in their own words

From Anduril

As the world enters an era of strategic competition, Anduril delivers cutting-edge autonomy, AI, computer vision, sensor fusion, and networking technology to the warfighter in months, not years.


What Anduril employees say

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About Anduril Industries

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Anduril Industries is a trailblazer in the technology industry based in Costa Mesa, CA, US. Founded in 2017 by Palmer Luckey, the creator of Oculus VR, the company focuses on developing innovative technology to equip and empower those in the defense sector. Its primary products include cutting-edge autonomous systems and AI software that assist in combating threats to national and global security. The mission of Anduril Industries is to integrate technology and defense by building transformative, scalable solutions that ensure a safer world.

Industry

Guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing

Company size

501 - 1,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Costa Mesa, CA, US

Year founded

2017

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