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M&P Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

1. Blending compound formulation per baseline recipe 2. Review MPE & ATP test data, release compound for FA / production 3. Manage chemical TDS, receiving inspection, shelf life, Manage inventory ...

Sr. Engineer, M&P - Test

Irvine, CA ยท On-site

$112K - $154K/yr

Virgin Galactic is seeking a talented and motivated technical engineer to join our Materials & Process team to help get our next generation of spaceships to space! Guided by our values, "Safety above ...

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M P information

See California salary details

$13

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How much do m&p jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average hourly pay for m&p in California is $16.61, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.43 and $17.79 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between M&P vs Machinist?

AspectM&P (Machinist & Programmer)Machinist
Required CredentialsTechnical certifications, vocational training, or apprenticeshipsHigh school diploma or equivalent, on-the-job training
Work EnvironmentManufacturing shops, machine shops, production facilitiesFactories, workshops, manufacturing plants
Employer & Industry UsageCommon in manufacturing, aerospace, automotive industriesPrimarily in manufacturing and metalworking sectors
Job FocusProgramming, setting up, and operating CNC machines; precision machiningOperating manual machines, basic metalworking tasks

The main difference between M&P and Machinist is that M&P typically involves programming and operating CNC machines with a focus on precision, while Machinists often operate manual machines and perform basic metalworking tasks. M&P roles usually require additional technical certifications and involve more complex programming tasks, whereas Machinists focus on manual operations and craftsmanship.

What is an M&P job?

M&P jobs refer to roles in 'Methods & Processes' or 'Manufacturing & Production,' depending on the industry. These positions focus on developing, optimizing, and overseeing the procedures used in manufacturing or business operations. M&P professionals work to improve efficiency, ensure quality, and maintain safety standards. They may be responsible for analyzing workflows, implementing new technologies, and training staff on best practices. M&P roles are common in industries such as aerospace, automotive, and large-scale manufacturing.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an M&P professional?

To excel as a Manufacturing & Production (M&P) professional, you need strong knowledge of manufacturing processes, quality control, and safety standards, often supported by a degree in engineering or a related field. Familiarity with tools like CAD software, ERP systems, Six Sigma, or Lean Manufacturing certifications is highly valuable. Attention to detail, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities are essential soft skills that help optimize production flow and resolve issues efficiently. These skills ensure efficient operations, product quality, and continuous improvement in a competitive manufacturing environment.

What are some typical challenges faced by professionals in M&P engineering, and how can they be addressed?

Professionals in M&P engineering often encounter challenges such as ensuring material compatibility, adhering to strict industry standards, and troubleshooting unexpected material behavior during fabrication or testing. These challenges can be addressed by staying current with industry regulations, collaborating closely with design and manufacturing teams, and leveraging advanced testing methods to validate material performance. Regular communication with suppliers and cross-functional teams is also key to proactively identifying and resolving potential issues.

Materials & Process (M&P) Engineer

Space Kinetic

El Segundo, CA โ€ข On-site

$78K - $103K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO

Posted 9 days ago


Job description

A New Paradigm For Space Operations.
Who We Are:
Space Kinetic is a dual use space technology startup building a completely new architecture for space operations - one that brings the advantages of proliferated drone technology (low-cost, operationally flexible, attainable, distributed) to space missions while reducing the ecosystem's reliance on consumable fuel. In a world where many companies are focused on incrementally improving the status quo, we are focused on creating something entirely different - an architecture underpinned by new first principles to meet the opportunities and challenges of the third space age head-on. Our goal is to move away from one-to-one space architectures - where each satellite in a constellation has one (or a small # of) primary payloads attached to the bus -- and unlock a 'one-to-many' system, where each satellite has a large number of payloads which can be deployed from their host spacecraft at high velocities without firing a thruster.
This is not a role for someone looking for a traditional 40-hour work week. Space Kinetic is building ambitious, first-of-its-kind technology, and that requires urgency, ownership, and a high level of commitment to changing the foundational assumptions for everything we do in space.
What You'll Do:
The Materials and Processes (M&P) Engineer will serve as a core technical authority supporting the development, fabrication, integration, and testing of Space Kinetic's spacecraft mechanisms and flight hardware.
You will work closely with design, manufacturing, quality, and test teams to ensure materials, treatments, and manufacturing processes meet the demands of launch and space environments. The ideal candidate has broad aerospace materials experience and is comfortable supporting hardware from design and qualification through production and failure investigation.
Job Responsibilities:
  • Guide mechanical designers on material selection, surface treatments, joint design, and space-environment risks, including atomic oxygen, vacuum outgassing, galvanic corrosion, and thermal cycling.
  • Author, review, and approve engineering drawings, material specifications, and process procedures for compliance with aerospace standards.
  • Plan and execute qualification programs for metallics, composites, coatings, paints, adhesives, lubricants, and other critical materials and processes.
  • Coordinate with internal laboratories and external vendors to characterize materials, analyze test data, and document qualification results.
  • Support PDR, CDR, MRR, and other technical reviews by providing M&P risk assessments and actionable recommendations.
  • Manage M&P verification activities and ensure materials and processes are approved before flight-hardware assembly.
  • Support the Material Review Board by developing technical dispositions for non-conformances identified during manufacturing, assembly, and testing.
  • Lead destructive and non-destructive failure investigations, identify root causes, and implement corrective actions.

What It Takes:
  • Bachelor's degree in Materials Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
  • 3 to 7 years of materials and processes engineering experience supporting spaceflight or similarly high-reliability aerospace hardware.
  • Experience with aerospace metallics, including aluminum, titanium, stainless steel, and high-strength alloys.
  • Experience with structural composites, carbon-fiber layups, core materials, and associated manufacturing processes.
  • Experience with thermal-control hardware and materials, including heat pipes, heaters, thermal-interface materials, coatings, primers, adhesives, potting compounds, sealants, and space-qualified lubricants.
  • Hands-on experience investigating manufacturing anomalies, resolving non-conformances, and supporting hardware through qualification or production.

What We'd Love:
  • Experience applying NASA materials and processes standards, including NASA-STD-6016.
  • Familiarity with cleanroom operations, contamination control, or planetary protection requirements.
  • Experience supporting spacecraft mechanisms or other spaceflight hardware.
  • Experience supporting government, national security, NASA, or commercial spaceflight programs.
  • Ability to operate with urgency, ownership, and autonomy in a demanding startup environment.
  • Passion for advancing the commercial and National Security space industry.

Where You'll Be:
The position is onsite at our headquarters in El Segundo CA . Domestic travel may be required (up to ~20% of the year).
What We Offer:
  • Competitive Base Salary + Equity-Based Compensation
  • Highly Competitive PTO and Holiday Calendar
  • Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage
  • Unique Performance-Based Bonus Structure

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. ยง 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. ยง 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about ITAR here
Equal Employment Opportunity:
Space Kinetic provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status.
The annual base salary for this role is below. Pay Grades are determined by role, level, location, and alignment with market data. Individual pay will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: interviews and an assessment of several factors that are unique to each candidate, job-related skills, relevant education/experience, certifications, abilities of the candidate and internal equity.
Pay Range
$130,000-$165,000 USD