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Graduate Manufacturing Engineer Jobs in California

$73K - $136K/yr

The Senior Associate, Manufacturing Engineer will work under moderate supervision. Works ... Graduate Degree or equivalent with 0 to 2 years of prior related experience. In lieu of a degree ...

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Graduate Manufacturing Engineer information

See California salary details

$46.9K

$84.5K

$118.4K

How much do graduate manufacturing engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for graduate 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 can I expect in terms of career growth as a Graduate Manufacturing Engineer?

As a Graduate Manufacturing Engineer, you can typically expect a structured development path that may include mentorship, additional training, and involvement in a variety of projects to build your technical skills. Many companies offer rotational programs or clear promotion tracks leading to roles such as Manufacturing Engineer, Process Engineer, or Production Manager. With experience, you may also have the opportunity to specialize in areas like automation, quality assurance, or project management. Active participation in cross-functional teams and taking ownership of improvement initiatives can also accelerate your advancement within the organization.

What is a Graduate Manufacturing Engineer job?

A Graduate Manufacturing Engineer is an entry-level role in the manufacturing industry, focused on improving production processes, ensuring product quality, and supporting the design and implementation of manufacturing systems. They work closely with engineers, technicians, and other departments to optimize efficiency and reduce costs. Responsibilities may include process improvement, troubleshooting equipment issues, and implementing lean manufacturing principles. This role provides hands-on experience and professional development for recent graduates in engineering fields.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Graduate Manufacturing Engineer position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Graduate Manufacturing Engineer, you need a degree in engineering (typically mechanical, manufacturing, or industrial) and a solid understanding of manufacturing processes, quality control, and problem-solving techniques. Familiarity with CAD software, Lean manufacturing principles, and ERP systems is highly beneficial, along with any relevant internships or certifications like Six Sigma Yellow Belt. Strong analytical thinking, effective communication, and a proactive attitude help set you apart in team-based environments. These skills and qualifications enable you to contribute to process improvements, ensure product quality, and support efficient production operations.

What job categories do people searching Graduate Manufacturing Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Graduate Manufacturing Engineer jobs in California are:
Lead, Manufacturing Engineer

Lead, Manufacturing Engineer

L3Harris Technologies

Los Angeles, CA

$116K - $216K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Posted 3 days ago


Job description

L3Harris is dedicated to recruiting and developing high-performing talent who are passionate about what they do. Our employees are unified in a shared dedication to our customers’ mission and quest for professional growth. L3Harris provides an inclusive, engaging environment designed to empower employees and promote work-life success. Fundamental to our culture is an unwavering focus on values, dedication to our communities, and commitment to excellence in everything we do.

L3Harris is the Trusted Disruptor in defense tech. With customers’ mission-critical needs always in mind, our employees deliver end-to-end technology solutions connecting the space, air, land, sea and cyber domains in the interest of national security.

Job Title: Lead, Manufacturing Engineer

Job Code: 36729

Job Location: On-site at our Canoga Park, CA facility 

Job Schedule: 9/80  Employees work 9 out of every 14 days – totaling 80 hours worked – and have every other Friday off

Job Description:

This position is responsible for mechanical component manufacture assembly and integration into rocket engine and power systems products.

Responsibilities include:

  • Designing and planning of layout component fabrication, assembly and material handling, planning of sequence of operations, and specification procedures. 
  • Making moderate to substantial improvement or enhancements to systems and processes to improve performance of job area.

Opportunities for problem solving and innovation are complex and may require comprehensive information gathering, analysis and investigation to understand the problem. Problems typically involve consideration of multiple issues, job areas or specialties and are generally solved through drawing from prior experience and in-depth analysis of issues.

Essential Functions:

  • Managing Projects: Manage processes in accordance with the Lean methodology which will include process certification, process improvement methods (e.g. Kaizen, 3P, VSM, etc.) and other lean tools. 
    • Prepare, develop, and defend to management key strategic manufacturing plans, risk assessments and proposals that target customer and business goals.
    • Differentiate between suppliers based on their technical process (Repeatability, Reliability) and business (Reliability, Rates, CSP, ISO compliant) capability.
    • Develop rework dispositions and work instructions for a wide variety of components, assemblies, and materials.
  • Developing and Implementing Manufacturing and Assembly Processes Improvements: Determine tooling requirements to safely support and maintain dimensional requirements, determine machine loading, setups, and hardware handling instructions.
  • Welding Support: Develop and implement the process of welding of complex configurations on a wide range of material types. They will also determine tooling requirements for the welding process, and support and maintain dimensional requirements.
  • Change Management: Use engineering and business software (Creo CAD, Windchill PLM, Oracle MRP & MES, MS Office applications, and/or other CAD/virtual manufacturing tools/software) to monitor hardware design configuration updates, specification updates, and procedure updates, then incorporate the necessary changes to manufacturing support items (MBOMs, work instructions, CNC programs, special tooling, etc.) to maintain alignment between engineering and manufacturing configurations and compliance with all command media. Also will support design change reviews.
  • Tight Tolerance Machining Support: Determine complex design geometric dimensioning and tolerancing for various machining and measuring methods that meet specifications, tooling and equipment requirements.
  • Perform risk assessments to ensure risks to personnel and environment are eliminated and risk to hardware and facility are accurately assessed and communicated to management.
  • A small amount of travel may be required depending on actual assignment.  

Basic Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s Degree and minimum 9 years of prior relevant experience. Graduate Degree and a minimum of 7 years of prior related experience. In lieu of a degree, minimum of 13 years of prior related experience.

Preferred Additional Skills:

  • Specialty within discipline, 2 Years of weld experience and 2 years machining experience.
  • Broad knowledge of project management. 

In compliance with pay transparency requirements, the salary range for this role in California is $116,500 - $216,500. This is not a guarantee of compensation or salary, as final offer amount may vary based on factors including but not limited to experience and geographic location. L3Harris also offers a variety of benefits, including health and disability insurance, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, EAP, education assistance, parental leave, paid time off, and company-paid holidays. The specific programs and options available to an employee may vary depending on date of hire, schedule type, and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements.

#LI-HJ1

L3Harris Technologies is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. L3Harris is committed to treating all employees and applicants for employment with respect and dignity and maintaining a workplace that is free from unlawful discrimination. All applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or other related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, characteristic or membership in any other group protected by federal, state or local laws. L3Harris maintains a drug-free workplace and performs pre-employment substance abuse testing and background checks, where permitted by law.

Please be aware many of our positions require the ability to obtain a security clearance. Security clearances may only be granted to U.S. citizens. In addition, applicants who accept a conditional offer of employment may be subject to government security investigation(s) and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.

By submitting your resume for this position, you understand and agree that L3Harris Technologies may share your resume, as well as any other related personal information or documentation you provide, with its subsidiaries and affiliated companies for the purpose of considering you for other available positions.

L3Harris Technologies is an E-Verify Employer. Please click here for the E-Verify Poster in English or Spanish. For information regarding your Right To Work, please click here for English or Spanish.