Internship Manufacturing Engineering Jobs in California

Position Summary

The manufacturing engineer will play an integral role in the company’s future success as they continue bringing in new product. The ideal candidate has experience leading new product from introduction to maturity, plus experience in both a machining (repeatable) production environment and a new product/R&D manufacturing environment. This is an entry-level engineering role supporting manufacturing processes across our sheet metal forming and CNC machining operations. Working under the guidance of the Engineering Supervisor, this individual will support New Product Introduction (NPI) and help develop/improve work instructions, tooling, and process routings, troubleshoot production issues on the shop floor, and support root cause and corrective action activities within our AS9100D-certified quality system. This is a great fit for a recent engineering graduate who is hands-on, analytical, and eager to build a foundation in aerospace manufacturing processes. The incumbent will work cross-functionally with production planning, quality, tooling, and shop floor personnel.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Support the introduction of new part numbers into production, including process planning, routing development, and basic time studies.
• Support the development and maintenance of manufacturing process routers, work instructions, and standard operating procedures for sheet metal forming and CNC machining operations.
• Assist in troubleshooting production issues on the shop floor, working with operators and supervisors to identify root cause and implement corrective actions.
• Support tooling and fixture selection or design for new and existing part numbers, working with senior engineers and toolmakers.
• Provide Engineering support for AS9100D-compliant inspection and quality documentation.
• Assist with CNC program review and post-processing support under the guidance of senior manufacturing engineers.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives (Lean, 5S, kaizen events) to reduce cycle time and improve quality on the shop floor.
• Assist in investigating non-conformances and support corrective action requests (CARs) from customers or internal audits.
• Collaborate with production planning and document control on engineering changes, revision updates, and affected parts lists.
• Maintain accurate engineering records and documentation in compliance with ITAR and customer quality requirements.
• Know and follow general company, department, and corporate policies and procedures.
• Other various duties as needed or as assigned.

Position Requirements

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Industrial, Manufacturing, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field required
• 1-2 years of experience in a manufacturing engineering, process engineering, or production support role; internships and co-ops count
• Experience or coursework related to Aerospace, defense, or another regulated industry is a plus
• Exposure to AS9100D, ISO 9001, or similar quality management systems is a plus

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, GD&T, and basic tolerancing.
• Basic proficiency with CAD software (CATIA V5, SolidWorks, Fusion 360, or similar) is required.
• Foundational understanding of manufacturing processes such as CNC milling/turning, press brake forming, deburr, and inspection.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to investigate root cause using structured methods (5-Why, fishbone).
• Proficiency in Excel (basic formulas, lookups) and general comfort learning ERP/database systems (Infor VISUAL, SAP, Epicor, or similar).
• Clear written and verbal communication skills for cross-functional coordination with production, quality, and shop floor personnel.
• Willingness to learn AS9100D quality system requirements as they relate to manufacturing engineering.
• Interest in aerospace manufacturing, CNC machining, or sheet metal forming processes.
• Proficient with MS Office.