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Fastener Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

MS Aerospace

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Maintenance Mechanic - Fastener Manufacturing

Sylmar, CA · On-site

$60K - $100K/yr

S. Aerospace Inc. (MSA) is an aerospace manufacturer of high strength specialty fasteners ... Materials Engineer Evaluates materials and develops machinery and processes to manufacture ...

Howmet Aerospace

Manufacturing Engineer II

Carson, CA

$115K/yr

Responsibilities Howmet Fastening Systems (HFS) is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer in our Carson, CA location. HFS is a business unit of Howmet Aerospace, headquartered in Torrance, California. We ...

Howmet Aerospace

Manufacturing Engineer II

Carson, CA

$90K - $115K/yr

Howmet Fastening Systems (HFS) is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer in our Carson, CA location. HFS is a business unit of Howmet Aerospace, headquartered in Torrance, California. We hold the number ...

Howmet Aerospace

Manufacturing Engineer II

Carson, CA

$90K - $115K/yr

Howmet Fastening Systems (HFS) is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer in our Carson, CA location. HFS is a business unit of Howmet Aerospace, headquartered in Torrance, California. We hold the number ...

TriMas Corporation

Quality Engineer

City Of Industry, CA

$72K - $93K/yr

PennAero is hiring a Quality Engineer at our Allfast Fastening Systems location in City of Industry ... Allfast Fastening Systems is a leading global manufacturer of solid and blind rivets, blind bolts ...

Howmet

Manufacturing Engineer II

Carson, CA · On-site

$90K - $115K/yr

Our high-tech, multi-material fastening systems are found nose to tail on aircraft and aerospace ... Provide engineering and/or technical support to other manufacturing sites as required.

Howmet Aerospace

Manufacturing Engineer II

Carson, CA

$90K - $115K/yr

Howmet Fastening Systems (HFS) is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer in our Carson, CA location. HFS is a business unit of Howmet Aerospace, headquartered in Torrance, California. We hold the number ...

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All JobsFastener Engineer JobsFastener Engineer Jobs in California

Fastener Engineer information

See California salary details

$38.5K

$100.4K

$135.7K

How much do fastener engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for fastener engineer in California is $100,420.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $82,900.00 and $115,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a Fastener Engineer, you need expertise in mechanical engineering principles, materials science, and fastening technologies, typically supported by a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with CAD software, finite element analysis (FEA) tools, and industry standards such as ASTM or ISO is essential, and certifications like Professional Engineer (PE) can be advantageous. Strong problem-solving, communication, and project management skills help differentiate top candidates in this specialization. These abilities ensure safe, reliable fastener solutions and effective collaboration with cross-functional product development teams.

What does a fastener engineer do?

A typical day for a Fastener Engineer involves designing and selecting appropriate fastening solutions for mechanical assemblies, conducting performance testing, and collaborating with manufacturing and quality teams to ensure optimal application. You'll often review technical drawings, analyze load requirements, and troubleshoot issues with existing fastener systems. Fastener Engineers work closely with design engineers, suppliers, and procurement specialists to coordinate specifications and support seamless production. This collaborative environment allows for ongoing learning and the opportunity to make a significant impact on product reliability and safety.

What is a fastener engineer?

A Fastener Engineer specializes in the design, selection, testing, and application of fasteners such as bolts, screws, and rivets in various industries. They work to ensure fasteners meet performance, safety, and material specifications for specific applications. Their role involves collaboration with design engineers, manufacturers, and quality teams to improve fastening solutions and resolve technical challenges.

What are popular job titles related to Fastener Engineer jobs in California? For Fastener Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Fastener Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Fastener Engineer jobs in California are:
Fastener Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Fastener Engineer job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, 4% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $100,420 per year, or $48.3 per hour.

Supplier Development Engineer, Hardware & Fasteners (Starship)

SpaceX

Hawthorne, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 19 days ago

SpaceX rating

8.8

Company rating: 8.8 out of 10

Based on 147 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

14th of 71 rated aerospace companies

Job description

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.
SUPPLIER DEVELOPMENT ENGINEER, MECHANICAL HARDWARE & FASTENER STARSHIP
Every Starship flight depends on thousands of bolts, nuts, screws, fittings, and joining hardware performing flawlessly under extreme load, temperature, and vibration. In this role, you own that commodity end to end: the manufacturers who form and machine, the heat treat and chemical processing that finish, and the quality systems that ensure reliable function. SpaceX is building a supply chain that can scale from prototype to high-cadence flight hardware without sacrificing reliability. We need an engineer who will be the extreme owner of fasteners and hardware - and who will push suppliers, processes, and designs until quality, cost, and rate all win.
This is a hands-on, highly technical role. You will spend time on shop floors, at heat treat and coating lines, in metrology labs, and in design reviews - not just in meetings. The ideal candidate has manufacturing depth, a genuine interest in mechanical fasteners, and the urgency to solve hard problems that protect the flight manifest.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Own the mechanical hardware commodity for Starship: Fasteners (bolts, nuts, screws), Dynamic Hardware (springs, bearings, rod ends) and Fluid Control (fluid fittings, filters), and related joining devices - from supplier selection through rate production.
  • Serve as the primary technical point of contact for assigned parts and suppliers; resolve emergent manufacturing, quality, and capacity issues that threaten the build or flight schedule.
  • Lead new product introduction (NPI) and work transfers for fastener and hardware products: qualify suppliers, validate processes, and ramp production to aggressive takt times.
  • Drive production part approval and process validation (PPAP, FAIR, capability studies) so every critical characteristic is controlled and proven before hardware reaches the vehicle.
  • Lead containment on nonconforming hardware; define scope with engineering, quality, and production; execute disposition (rework, repair, use-as-is, or scrap); and prevent recurrence.
  • Root-cause defects at the supplier, at SpaceX, or both - including heat treat, plating/coating, thread forming/rolling, machining, forging, material certs, and dimensional/GD&T escapes.
  • Partner with design and manufacturing engineering to improve part designs, specifications, and process callouts for manufacturability, lead time, cost, and defect reduction.
  • Assess supplier capability and capacity (equipment, tooling, personnel, quality systems) and develop underperforming suppliers or dual-source/re-source when required.
  • Work with procurement to identify, vet, and grow exceptional fastener and specialty hardware suppliers who can meet aerospace quality and SpaceX rate.
  • Become the go-to expert on your parts and processes; own supply-chain-related defects and drive them to zero escapes.
  • Serve as SpaceX's SAE representative; attend technical committee meetings and advocate for company positions on fastener, hardware, and related standards.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline
  • 2+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering, process engineering, or supplier development

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
  • Hands-on familiarity with mechanical fasteners and joining hardware (bolts, nuts, screws, studs, washers, pins, springs, fittings, inserts, etc.)
  • Experience with fastener or precision hardware manufacturing processes: cold heading/forging, thread rolling or cutting, machining, heat treatment, surface finishing, plating/coating, passivation, and secondary ops
  • Familiarity with destructive and nondestructive inspection methods relevant to fasteners and hardware (e.g., hardness, tensile, fatigue, magnetic particle, fluorescent penetrant, dimensional metrology)
  • Working knowledge of aerospace and industry fastener/material standards (e.g., NAS, AN, MS, ASTM, AMS, NASA/JSC, ISO)
  • Experience assessing supplier technical capability and capacity (equipment, process control, operations, and people)
  • Knowledge of supplier quality frameworks: PPAP, APQP, FAIR, control plans, PFMEA, MSA
  • Experience with quality systems (AS9100, ISO 9001) and high-reliability or high-volume production environments
  • Proven ability to drive root cause and corrective action using structured methods (8D, 5-Why, fishbone, Pareto) and statistical tools (capability, DOE, SPC; Minitab or equivalent a plus)
  • Comfort reading engineering drawings, including GD&T, material callouts, and special process requirements
  • Experience with CAD and drawing creation or revision collaboration with design engineering
  • Experience implementing process improvements, automation, or advanced inspection in manufacturing or quality
  • Strong written and verbal communication; ability to influence suppliers and internal stakeholders under schedule pressure
  • Knowledge of lean manufacturing and continuous improvement methods

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
  • Ability to work extended hours, including some nights and/or weekends when flight or production priorities demand it
  • Ability to travel frequently to suppliers (up to 50-75%)
  • Valid driver's license

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
Pay Range:
Level 1: $100,000.00 - $117,500.00
Level 2: $115,000.00 - $140,000.00
Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.
Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.
ITAR REQUIREMENTS:
  • To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.

SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX's Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to EEOCompliance@spacex.com.

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About SpaceX

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Industry

Aerospace product and parts manufacturing, data services, guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing and satellite telecommunications

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Hawthorne, CA, US

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