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Lead Manufacturing Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

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Manufacturing Engineer

Concord, CA · On-site

$90K - $104K/yr

The Manufacturing Engineer works closely with Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, Maintenance and Product Engineering to lead the development of robust and scalable manufacturing solutions that ...

Manufacturing Engineer 3

Los Angeles, CA

$78K - $101K/yr

The Manufacturing Process Engineer responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the tasks ... Lead manufacturing process improvement and operations execution strategies to support quality ...

New

We are seeking a Lead Manufacturing Engineer to own the operational engine of that function. You will lead a growing team of manufacturing engineers who assess and quote parts at high volume, and you ...

Showing results 41-60

Lead Manufacturing Engineer information

See California salary details

$46.4K

$105.5K

$163.8K

How much do lead manufacturing engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 1, 2026, the average yearly pay for lead manufacturing engineer in California is $105,486.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $81,900.00 and $116,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a lead manufacturing engineer do?

A Lead Manufacturing Engineer is responsible for overseeing and optimizing production processes within a manufacturing facility. They lead a team of engineers and technicians to improve efficiency, ensure product quality, and implement cost-saving measures. Their duties often include designing manufacturing systems, troubleshooting issues, coordinating with other departments, and ensuring compliance with safety and industry standards. By leveraging their technical expertise and leadership skills, they help drive continuous improvement in manufacturing operations.

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

To thrive as a Lead Manufacturing Engineer, you need a strong background in manufacturing processes, problem-solving, and engineering principles, usually supported by a degree in mechanical, industrial, or manufacturing engineering. Proficiency with CAD software, lean manufacturing systems, Six Sigma methodologies, and ERP/MES platforms is typically required, and certifications such as Six Sigma Black Belt can be advantageous. Leadership, effective communication, and project management are essential soft skills for coordinating teams and driving continuous improvement. These skills and qualities are crucial for optimizing production efficiency, ensuring quality, and leading successful engineering projects within a manufacturing environment.

What are some common challenges lead manufacturing engineers face when introducing new processes on the production floor?

Lead Manufacturing Engineers often encounter challenges such as ensuring seamless integration of new technologies or processes with existing equipment, minimizing downtime during transitions, and gaining buy-in from production staff. They must carefully coordinate with cross-functional teams, including quality assurance and maintenance, to troubleshoot unforeseen issues and maintain product standards. Effective communication, comprehensive training, and continuous monitoring are key to overcoming these obstacles and achieving successful implementation.

What is the difference between Lead Manufacturing Engineer vs Manufacturing Engineer?

AspectLead Manufacturing EngineerManufacturing Engineer
ResponsibilitiesOversees manufacturing processes, leads teams, implements improvementsDesigns and develops manufacturing processes, supports production
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Engineering, experience in manufacturing, leadership skillsBachelor's in Engineering, process knowledge, technical skills
Work EnvironmentLeadership roles in production facilities, cross-functional teamsOperational settings, production lines, process development
Industry UsageCommon in manufacturing plants, automotive, aerospaceWidespread in manufacturing sectors, electronics, consumer goods

The main difference is that a Lead Manufacturing Engineer typically manages teams and oversees process improvements, while a Manufacturing Engineer focuses on designing and supporting manufacturing processes. The lead role involves more leadership and strategic planning, whereas the manufacturing engineer is more technical and hands-on in process development.

What job categories do people searching Lead Manufacturing Engineer jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Lead Manufacturing Engineer jobs in California are:

Infographic showing various Lead Manufacturing Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $105,486 per year, or $50.7 per hour.

Lead Manufacturing Engineer, Connected Warfare

ANDURIL INDUSTRIES

Santa Ana, CA • On-site

$146K - $194K/yr

Full-time

Posted 20 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 76,423 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
Connected Warfare is the team at Anduril dedicated to the modernization of the command and control systems of U.S. and Allied forces. New technologies and new adversaries demand a new approach to battlefield intelligence, and our products are rapidly scaling in production to deliver the volumes that our customers need. You will have opportunities to work on products like Menace-I, Menace-X, Menace-T, and TITAN as well as a wide array of future upcoming products. You will be the owner of one of these products in production and you will have the opportunity to drive their production ramps. Your work will help to change the balance of defense capabilities on a global scale. Apply now and become part of our mission to secure a safer tomorrow.
As a Lead Manufacturing Engineer in Connected Warfare, you will support products from the early design phase, develop/improve the manufacturing process and support production ramps for several products. The diverse responsibilities of this role will require you to leverage your technical expertise as well as leadership skills to set objectives, build cross-functional teams, and drive rapid project execution. You will play a crucial role in optimizing manufacturing processes, reducing costs, and increasing efficiencies on existing technologies while also developing new products and scaling to full scale production.
WHAT YOU'LL DO
  • Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing team of Manufacturing Engineers with deep product knowledge in mechanical, electrical, system integration, and end of line tests
  • Lead the transition of products from concept to prototype, pilot, and full production with speed, flexibility, scalability, and first-time quality
  • Provide daily sustaining support to ensure each product line performs as intended, including real-time problem-solving related to mechanical fitment issues, electrical and harnessing issues, as well as software and firmware issues
  • Work with cross functional team (design, quality, supply chain, etc.) during the development process to drive design for manufacturing best practices into the design effort, and help facilitate the transition from design to prototype to rate production
  • Own documentation required for successfully manufacturing product group hardware at scale, such as MBOM's, work instructions & requirements, etc.
  • Uphold and advise on quality management and business application programs as they pertain to manufacturing within your area
  • Facilitate make versus buy decisions, and coordinate with internal supply chain teams to manage vendors to ensure quality deliveries on time
  • Contribute to end-customer hardware mechanical or electrical design, including interconnects, board fabrication and inspection, etc.
  • Analyze metrics for continuous improvement initiatives (cost reduction, QI reduction & capacity increase)
  • Instill a culture of innovation, teamwork, and accountability within the manufacturing engineering product team

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
  • Degree in a technical field such as engineering, math, or a hard science
  • 5+ years in manufacturing or similar prototyping position
  • Demonstrated in-kind or direct team leadership skills, with backing examples
  • An attitude of world-class mission assurance, quality, attention to detail, and dedication
  • A genuine interest in manufacturing and thirst for learning
  • Demonstrated ability to creatively deliver hardware in a resource-constrained environment
  • Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Top Secret security clearance

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
  • Experience building or transforming successful production operation organizations and leading large-scale change management initiatives that influence culture, define tools & processes and improve competencies
  • Harness & PCBA fabrication experience including prior work with or setup/modification/monitoring SMT processes
  • Experience leading and managing teams on fast-paced, complex projects
  • Knowledge of manufacturing processes including sheet metal, machining, and 3D printing
  • Software scripting experience in any language
  • Experience in NX/Teamcenter

US Salary Range
$146,000-$194,000 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 [email protected].
  • 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 [email protected]. 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

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


Anduril Industries logo

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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