Forging Manager Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Our client is an established aerospace closed die forging operation located in Southern California. The company produces precision forgings for the aerospace and defense industries, serving major OEM and Tier 1 customers across commercial aviation, military, and space applications. Operating in an AS9100D-certified environment, the facility maintains strict process controls across forging, heat treat, and machining operations and is known for its technical depth and commitment to quality.

POSITION SUMMARY

Our client is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer with 2–5 years of experience in aerospace forging to join their Southern California operation. This is a hands-on engineering role embedded on the production floor, responsible for supporting and improving closed die forging processes, tooling, and manufacturing workflows. The ideal candidate brings direct forging industry experience, strong technical fundamentals, and a continuous improvement mindset.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Process Engineering & Support

•     Support and optimize closed die forging processes including press setup, die design, billet preparation, and transfer sequencing

•     Develop, review, and maintain manufacturing process plans, routers, work instructions, and standard operating procedures

•     Identify and resolve process non-conformances through root cause analysis and corrective action implementation

•     Monitor and improve key process parameters including temperature, strain rate, die fill, and grain flow to ensure consistent mechanical properties

•     Support the introduction of new part numbers from initial process development through first article qualification

Tooling & Equipment

•     Design and specify forging dies, tooling, and fixtures in collaboration with the tool room and outside vendors

•     Evaluate tooling performance and drive improvements to extend tool life, reduce scrap, and improve dimensional consistency

•     Support press setup, changeovers, and preventive maintenance activities in coordination with maintenance and operations teams

Quality & Compliance

•     Support AS9100D quality system requirements including process documentation, inspection planning, and corrective action

•     Collaborate with Quality Engineering on first article inspection (FAI), FAIR documentation, and customer-specific requirements

•     Participate in internal and customer audits; prepare and present process data and engineering documentation as required

•     Ensure compliance with applicable aerospace material and process specifications (AMS, ASTM, customer-specific)

Continuous Improvement

•     Identify and lead process improvement projects targeting scrap reduction, yield improvement, cycle time reduction, and cost savings

•     Apply lean manufacturing tools — including value stream mapping, 5S, and Kaizen — to improve production flow and efficiency

•     Analyze production data to identify trends, drive corrective actions, and support manufacturing performance metrics

Cross-Functional Collaboration

•     Work closely with production supervisors, die makers, quality engineers, and planning teams to coordinate daily manufacturing activities

•     Interface with customers and program management teams to support engineering change orders (ECOs), deviations, and waivers

•     Provide technical support and mentorship to production operators and technicians on the shop floor

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

•     2–5 years of manufacturing engineering experience in a forging environment — closed die forging experience required

•     Strong understanding of forging process fundamentals: die design, billet preparation, press operations, flash removal, and heat treat

•     Familiarity with aerospace material specifications (AMS, ASTM) and aerospace quality standards (AS9100D)

•     Experience with root cause analysis tools (8D, 5-Why, Fishbone) and corrective action processes

•     Proficiency in SolidWorks, AutoCAD, or equivalent CAD software for tooling and fixture design

•     Strong analytical skills with ability to interpret engineering drawings, GD&T, and material certifications

•     Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Engineering, or a related technical discipline

Preferred

•     Experience with aluminum, titanium, or nickel-based alloy forgings for aerospace applications

•     Familiarity with heat treat processes (solution anneal, aging, stress relief) and their relationship to forging microstructure

•     Knowledge of FEA or forging simulation tools (DEFORM, Simufact) a plus

•     Lean / Six Sigma training or certification

•     Experience supporting FAI / FAIR documentation and OEM customer qualification requirements

KEY COMPETENCIES

•     Technically grounded with hands-on presence on the production floor — this is not a desk role

•     Detail-oriented with strong documentation and communication skills

•     Problem solver who thrives in a fast-paced, high-accountability manufacturing environment

•     Team player who can work effectively across engineering, quality, operations, and tooling

•     Self-directed and proactive — able to manage multiple priorities and drive projects to completion