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Senior Manufacturing Engineer Jobs in Ladera Ranch, CA

Senior Manufacturing Engineer

Santa Ana, CA · On-site

$94K - $129K/yr

A resultsdriven Senior Manufacturing Engineer with deep expertise in designing, optimizing, and sustaining manufacturing processes in a regulated medical device environment. Skilled in developing ...

Senior Manufacturing Engineer

Santa Ana, CA · On-site

$94K - $129K/yr

A resultsdriven Senior Manufacturing Engineer with deep expertise in designing, optimizing, and sustaining manufacturing processes in a regulated medical device environment. Skilled in developing ...

Showing results 21-40

Senior Manufacturing Engineer information

See Ladera Ranch, CA salary details

$69.6K

$115.2K

$157.9K

How much do senior manufacturing engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 20, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior manufacturing engineer in Ladera Ranch, CA is $115,230.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $96,700.00 and $132,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a Senior Manufacturing Engineer, you need expertise in process optimization, production systems, and a degree in engineering or a related field, often with several years of manufacturing experience. Proficiency with CAD software, Six Sigma or Lean Manufacturing certifications, and familiarity with ERP/MES systems are typically required. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication skills help you lead cross-functional teams and drive improvements. These skills and qualities are essential for ensuring efficient production processes, high product quality, and continuous operational improvement.

What are some common challenges faced by senior manufacturing engineers, and how can they be addressed?

Senior Manufacturing Engineers often encounter challenges such as integrating new technologies into existing production lines, maintaining high-quality standards while increasing efficiency, and managing cross-functional project teams. To address these challenges, effective communication, continuous process improvement, and staying current with industry advancements are crucial. Collaborating closely with design, quality, and operations teams helps ensure smooth implementation and quick resolution of production issues.

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

AspectSenior Manufacturing EngineerManufacturing Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's degree in engineering, often with 3+ years experienceBachelor's degree in engineering or related field
Work EnvironmentLeading projects, mentoring, process optimizationSupporting manufacturing processes, implementing improvements
Industry UsageUsed across manufacturing sectors for experienced rolesEntry to mid-level manufacturing roles

The main difference is experience level and responsibilities. Senior Manufacturing Engineers typically lead projects and mentor teams, while Manufacturing Engineers focus on supporting and improving manufacturing processes. Both roles require similar credentials and are common in manufacturing industries.

How much does a senior manufacturing engineer make in the US?

A senior manufacturing engineer in the US typically earns between $85,000 and $125,000 annually, with the median around $105,000. Compensation varies based on experience, industry, location, and company size, and may include bonuses and benefits.

What does a senior manufacturing engineer do?

A senior manufacturing engineer designs, develops, and improves manufacturing processes to increase efficiency, quality, and safety. They analyze production workflows, troubleshoot issues, and implement solutions using tools like CAD and Lean methodologies. They often oversee production teams and collaborate with other engineering and quality departments to meet operational goals.

What are the most commonly searched types of Manufacturing Engineer jobs in Ladera Ranch, CA?

The most popular types of Manufacturing Engineer jobs in Ladera Ranch, CA are:

What cities near Ladera Ranch, CA are hiring for Senior Manufacturing Engineer jobs?

Cities near Ladera Ranch, CA with the most Senior Manufacturing Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Senior Manufacturing Engineer job openings in Ladera Ranch, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 71% Full Time, and 29% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $115,230 per year, or $55.4 per hour.

Senior Manufacturing Engineer, Maritime Systems

Anduril Industries

Santa Ana, CA • On-site

$94K - $129K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 29 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 75,712 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
Anduril's Manufacturing Technology, Maritime Team is seeking a Senior Manufacturing Engineer, Maritime Systems. The Maritime Manufacturing Technology Team is responsible for rapidly developing and implementing manufacturing technologies and processes for cutting-edge defense hardware, including deployable static and moving surface, undersea and sea to air vehicles and scaling these products in our new manufacturing facilities.
ABOUT THE JOB
As a Senior Manufacturing Engineer, you will own the critical bridge between engineering design and full-rate production for our advanced autonomous systems. This role is a hybrid of manufacturing process development and manufacturing planning, requiring you to design and validate how we build our hardware while also creating the detailed plans and documentation to execute it at scale. You will develop and implement robust manufacturing processes that are efficient, repeatable, and compliant with rigorous customer requirements, including those specified by NAVSEA, enabling the delivery of mission-critical capabilities.
WHAT YOU'LL DO
  • Manufacturing Process: Design, develop, and qualify robust manufacturing processes for complex maritime systems, from component fabrication and sub-assembly through final vehicle integration and testing.
  • Manufacturing Planning: Author and maintain comprehensive manufacturing plans, translate complex 2D/3D engineering drawings into clear work instructions, and create optimized process routings in our MES (Forge).
  • Own the creation and maintenance of the Manufacturing Bill of Materials (MBOM), ensuring accurate translation from the Engineering Bill of Materials (EBOM) and meticulously documenting the as-built configuration.
  • Lead Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and producibility assessments, providing critical, data-driven feedback to the design team to optimize for cost, quality, and scalability.
  • Identify, specify, and qualify all tooling, fixtures, and test equipment required to support manufacturing and assembly operations in accordance with program requirements.
  • Drive continuous improvement by leading process validation activities, applying statistical methods, and performing root cause analysis to resolve manufacturing discrepancies and enhance production efficiency.
  • Serve as the primary technical interface between design engineering, supply chain, and production operations, ensuring alignment and resolving issues to meet delivery commitments.
  • Provide hands-on, on-floor engineering support during new product introduction (NPI), critical build phases, and troubleshooting activities.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
  • 5+ years of experience as a Manufacturing Engineer, with a demonstrated background in both manufacturing process development and production planning.
  • Proven experience in a New Product Introduction (NPI) environment, successfully taking complex products from design into a production environment.
  • Strong technical understanding of manufacturing processes and techniques (e.g., mechanical assembly, electrical integration, composite fabrication, precision machining).
  • Proficiency in reading and interpreting complex engineering drawings and technical specifications, including an understanding of GD&T.
  • Hands-on experience with Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) and Product Data Management (PDM) software.
  • Ability to thrive and communicate effectively in a fast-paced, rapidly scaling R&D and production environment.
  • Must be a U.S. Person due to required access to U.S. export-controlled information or facilities.
  • Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
  • Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
  • Direct experience in the maritime, naval, or aerospace defense industry, with an understanding of associated quality and documentation standards (e.g., NAVSEA, MIL-SPEC).
  • Experience with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems for material and production planning.
  • Background in process characterization, statistical process control (SPC), and designing/qualifying automated manufacturing and test equipment.
  • Experience leading cross-functional teams to resolve complex manufacturing challenges.

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 contact@anduril.com.
  • 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 contact@anduril.com. 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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