Job Description Summary
The Lead Manufacturing Readiness Engineer supports manufacturing readiness, process maturation, and launch execution for Next Gen Product and process technologies. This role serves as the tactical execution arm of manufacturing readiness—translating readiness strategies into detailed action plans, driving closure of manufacturing gaps, and partnering closely with engineering, quality, supply chain, and operations to ensure successful production launch.
This role is responsible for executing readiness activities that bridge product and process development to production implementation. The Lead Manufacturing Readiness Engineer works directly with production and functional teams to mature manufacturing methods, collect readiness evidence, track risk reduction, and support operating cadences that improve Safety, Quality, Delivery, and Cost performance. This role helps standardize readiness execution and sustain momentum through disciplined follow-up, visual management, and action-oriented problem solving. This draft is derived from the senior role’s emphasis on MRL execution, production readiness plans, dashboards, readiness reviews, process maturation, and FLIGHT DECK operating mechanisms.
Job Description
Roles & Responsibilities
Execute manufacturing readiness plans for assigned programs, including action tracking, readiness assessments, evidence collection, and support for gate and milestone reviews
Support Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL) activities by identifying gaps, driving closure actions, and maintaining visibility to readiness status and risk
Translate product and technology requirements into detailed manufacturing development and production readiness action plans
Partner with design engineering to identify producibility concerns early and help implement manufacturing-focused risk mitigation plans
Support the development and maturation of manufacturing processes, including production methods, tooling concepts, fixtures, and implementation planning
Coordinate follow-up from readiness reviews, tollgates, and tier meetings by documenting actions, owners, due dates, and closure evidence
Build and maintain dashboards, trackers, and visual management tools that monitor launch risk, deployment progress, MRL maturity, and SQDC metrics
Support APQP, PFMEA, control plans, and structured problem-solving efforts to reduce manufacturing risk and improve execution stability
Work directly with production teams to ensure processes are prepared to meet rate, yield, quality, and delivery targets
Support internal and supplier readiness activities, including process reviews, implementation coordination, and deployment follow-up where needed
Capture lessons learned and help standardize best practices, readiness tools, and repeatable methods for future launches
Foster a lean operating culture through the use of FLIGHT DECK principles, including standard work, daily management, action planning, and problem solving
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing, Mechanical, Materials, Chemical, Aerospace, Industrial Engineering , or a related technical field .
Minimum of 3 years of experience in manufacturing engineering, process development, new product introduction (NPI), industrialization, or production readiness
Experience with MRL, APQP, PFMEA, control plans, launch tollgates, or similar readiness frameworks
Experience working cross-functionally with engineering, operations, quality, and supply chain teams
Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills, with the ability to convert data and open issues into clear execution priorities
Experience supporting implementation of new manufacturing technologies in production environments
Preferred Qualifications
Experience in aerospace, defense, or other regulated manufacturing environments
Experience with advanced or special manufacturing processes
Experience supporting manufacturing readiness or technology maturation efforts
Lean / Six…