1

Manufacturing Assembly Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

The ideal candidate will bring strong Design for Manufacturing & Assembly (DFMA) experience, a deep understanding of producibility, and practical experience scaling hardware from low-volume ...

Manufacturing Engineer III

Santa Ana, CA ยท On-site

$76K - $97K/yr

Liaison between the Program Design, Procurement, Assembly, and Quality Departments to promote an efficient and well-organized manufacturing operation. Ideally with experience in Aerospace and Defense ...

Manufacturing Engineer IV

Santa Ana, CA ยท On-site

$113K - $142K/yr

Liaison between the Program Design, Procurement, Assembly, and Quality Departments to promote an efficient and well-organized manufacturing operation. A prior background within an EMS/CM strongly ...

Senior Manufacturing Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA ยท On-site

$106K - $146K/yr

Develop manufacturing assembly processes and test methods for new product development accessories. * Design, document, procure, qualify, implement, and improve fixtures, tools and equipment.

Senior Manufacturing Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA ยท On-site

$106K - $146K/yr

Develop manufacturing assembly processes and test methods for new product development accessories. * Design, document, procure, qualify, implement, and improve fixtures, tools and equipment.

Manufacturing Tech

San Luis Obispo, CA ยท On-site

$26 - $30/hr

We are looking for a manufacturing assembler and technician for our unique solar monitoring ... In this role you will help with pre-assembly wiring harnesses, solar panels, and mechanical ...

We are looking for a manufacturing assembler and technician for our unique solar monitoring ... In this role you will help with pre-assembly wiring harnesses, solar panels, and mechanical ...

Previous manufacturing, assembly, production, or warehouse experience preferred. * Ability to ... perform repetitive tasks throughout an entire shift. * Comfortable working in a fast-paced ...

Assembly Tech

Moorpark, CA ยท On-site

$17 - $18/hr

Previous experience in a manufacturing, assembly, or mechanical trade environment. * Proven proficiency in using a variety of hand tools, power tools, and measuring instruments. * Ability to follow ...

Be Seen First

Production Technician - Insole Finishing & Assembly

Fresno, CA ยท On-site

$15.25 - $18.25/hr

Experience in manufacturing, assembly, footwear production, composites, woodworking, upholstery, or ... similar hands-on production environments is a plus. * Strong manual dexterity and attention to ...

Showing results 21-40

Manufacturing Assembly information

See California salary details

$12

$17

$23

How much do manufacturing assembly jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 10, 2026, the average hourly pay for manufacturing assembly in California is $17.80, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.67 and $19.23 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is manufacturing assembly?

Manufacturing assembly refers to the process of putting together individual components or parts to create a finished product, typically in a factory or production line setting. Assemblers may work with machinery, tools, and manual techniques to connect, fasten, or assemble parts according to blueprints or specifications. The job often requires attention to detail, the ability to follow instructions, and teamwork to ensure quality and efficiency. Manufacturing assembly is essential in industries like automotive, electronics, and consumer goods, where products are made from many separate pieces.

What is the difference between Manufacturing Assembly vs Manufacturing Technician?

AspectManufacturing AssemblyManufacturing Technician
CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; on-the-job trainingHigh school diploma or equivalent; technical certification often preferred
Work EnvironmentFactories, assembly lines, production floorsFactories, testing labs, maintenance areas
Job FocusAssembling products and componentsMaintaining, troubleshooting, and testing manufacturing equipment
Common UsageUsed in assembly line roles across manufacturing industriesUsed in roles requiring technical skills for equipment operation and maintenance

Manufacturing Assembly primarily involves assembling products on the production line, focusing on putting components together. Manufacturing Technicians often handle equipment maintenance, troubleshooting, and testing to ensure smooth manufacturing processes. While both roles work in manufacturing environments, their responsibilities and required skills differ, with assembly roles emphasizing manual assembly and technician roles emphasizing technical maintenance.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a manufacturing assembly worker, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Manufacturing Assembly Worker, you need strong manual dexterity, attention to detail, and a high school diploma or equivalent as a baseline qualification. Familiarity with assembly line machinery, hand tools, and basic safety certifications like OSHA are commonly required. Teamwork, reliability, and effective communication are essential soft skills that help maintain workflow and resolve issues quickly. These skills ensure products are assembled accurately and efficiently, contributing to overall production quality and workplace safety.

What are some common challenges faced in a manufacturing assembly role and how can they be overcome?

One common challenge in manufacturing assembly is maintaining high accuracy and speed while adhering to strict quality standards. Workers may also face repetitive tasks, which can lead to fatigue or minor errors over time. To overcome these challenges, it's important to take regular breaks, follow standardized procedures, and communicate proactively with team members and supervisors. Additionally, continuous training and cross-training can help improve efficiency and reduce mistakes, fostering a supportive work environment.
What cities in California are hiring for Manufacturing Assembly jobs? Cities in California with the most Manufacturing Assembly job openings:
Infographic showing various Manufacturing Assembly job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 70% Full Time, 20% Contract, and 10% Nights. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $37,029 per year, or $17.8 per hour.

Manufacturing Engineer - Effectors

Hikinex

Los Angeles, CA โ€ข On-site

$110K - $160K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 27 days ago


Job description

Location: The Greater Los Angeles Metropolitan Area, CA (Onsite)
If you're interested in learning more about this opportunity or beginning the interview process, feel free to connect directly via LinkedIn:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ra...
Manufacturing Engineer - Effectors
An advanced aerospace and defense technology company is seeking a hands-on Manufacturing Engineer to help scale next-generation interceptor and autonomous defense systems from prototype development into high-rate production.
This role sits at the intersection of product engineering, manufacturing strategy, and production execution. The ideal candidate will bring strong Design for Manufacturing & Assembly (DFMA) experience, a deep understanding of producibility, and practical experience scaling hardware from low-volume development into repeatable, cost-optimized manufacturing environments.
This is a highly collaborative and hands-on position for someone who enjoys working directly with hardware, influencing design decisions early, and helping build manufacturing capability from the ground up.
Responsibilities
Design for Manufacturing & Assembly (DFMA)
  • Lead DFMA reviews throughout concept development, design reviews, prototyping, and production readiness phases
  • Influence hardware designs for manufacturability, scalability, cost efficiency, and assembly optimization
  • Evaluate tolerance stack-ups, GD&T strategies, joining methods, and assembly flow
  • Help simplify part counts, interfaces, fastener strategies, and production processes
  • Develop assembly sequencing approaches optimized for throughput and takt time
  • Support material and process selection decisions with a focus on scalable production
Producibility & Production Engineering
  • Perform producibility assessments, process capability evaluations, and yield analysis
  • Develop manufacturing plans, work instructions, routing flows, and MBOM structures
  • Support make-versus-buy decisions alongside supply chain and operations teams
  • Identify tooling, fixture, and capital equipment requirements needed for scale-up
  • Analyze bottlenecks, cycle times, and production rate sensitivities
  • Drive process improvements focused on throughput, quality, and cost reduction
Prototype & Transition-to-Production Support
  • Support manual prototype builds, assembly activities, and early production efforts
  • Provide hands-on troubleshooting support during pilot builds and ramp activities
  • Participate in root cause investigations and corrective action implementation
  • Support First Article Inspection (FAI), qualification efforts, and production validation
  • Collaborate closely with design, quality, supply chain, and test engineering teams
  • Assist with supplier readiness, manufacturing transfers, and production scaling initiatives
Continuous Improvement & Factory Scaling
  • Develop scalable manufacturing strategies for high-rate production environments
  • Implement automation, poka-yoke, and error-proofing concepts where appropriate
  • Support MES, ERP, and PLM manufacturing workflows
  • Analyze yield, cost, rework, and throughput metrics to improve manufacturing performance
  • Help establish long-term production infrastructure and scalable manufacturing operations
Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or related STEM field
  • 5+ years of experience in aerospace, defense, automotive, robotics, semiconductor, or other high-rate manufacturing environments
  • Strong DFMA and producibility engineering experience
  • Experience transitioning hardware from development/prototype phases into production
  • Working knowledge of:
    • GD&T (ASME Y14.5)
    • Tolerance stack-up analysis
    • Manufacturing process capability concepts (Cp/Cpk)
    • Root cause methodologies (8D, RCCA, Fishbone, etc.)
  • Experience developing:
    • Manufacturing documentation
    • MBOMs
    • Work instructions
    • Process flows
    • Production routing sequences
  • Proficiency with CAD tools such as SolidWorks, Creo, CATIA, or similar
  • Ability to work hands-on in fast-paced development and production environments
  • U.S. citizenship required; ability to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance required
Preferred Experience
  • Missile, interceptor, UAV, autonomous system, or aerospace hardware manufacturing
  • High-rate production scaling experience (100k+ units/year environments strongly valued)
  • Startup or greenfield manufacturing build-out experience
  • Automated assembly systems or robotics integration
  • Composites, harness integration, or electromechanical assembly experience
  • Experience with PLM, MES, or ERP manufacturing systems
  • Experience conducting Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL) assessments
  • Exposure to contract manufacturing, supplier industrialization, or production transfer activities
What Makes This Opportunity Unique
This role offers the opportunity to help build a manufacturing capability from the ground up inside a rapidly scaling aerospace and defense environment.
The team is looking for engineers who can bridge product development and manufacturing execution - people who understand not only how to design hardware, but also how to build it efficiently, repeatedly, and at scale.
You'll have significant ownership early, working directly with prototype hardware today while helping shape long-term production strategy for future high-rate manufacturing operations.
Additional Information
  • Competitive compensation and equity package
  • Comprehensive healthcare coverage
  • 401(k) matching
  • PTO flexibility
  • Relocation assistance may be available
  • Full-time onsite collaboration environment
  • U.S. citizenship required due to security and export control requirements

Location: The Greater Los Angeles Metropolitan Area, CA (Onsite)
To learn more or express interest, connect directly via LinkedIn:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ra...

Hikinex logo

About Hikinex

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Hikinex is a multi-channel integrated service provider designed to help Companies scale fast and drive more profit. We leverage diverse resources to provide Superior services at a fraction of the cost.

Industry

Strategic planning consulting services

Company size

51 - 200 Employees

Headquarters location

San Francisco, CA, US

Year founded

2016

Social media