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Engineering
Manufacturing Engineer 5 Berkeley, MO Posted: 4/24/2026
Job Description
Job ID#:
217027
Job Category:
Engineering
Position Type:
Associate – W2
Duration:
12 mo
Shift:
2
PDS Defense, Inc. is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer 5, in Berkeley, MO. Job ID#217027
Job Description:
We are seeking a senior, Level 5 Manufacturing Engineer to provide technical leadership across manufacturing programs and production lines. This role emphasizes enterprise-level manufacturing strategy, process architecture, and organizational influence rather than focus on any single subsystem. The ideal candidate will lead cross-functional initiatives that increase throughput, reduce cost, improve quality, and enable production scaling for complex aerospace products.
Key Responsibilities:
Provide technical leadership and strategic direction for manufacturing process development, qualification, and sustainment across multiple programs and product lines.
Define and implement manufacturing strategies (automation, lean, DFMA, digital thread) that improve throughput, reduce cost, and enhance quality and reliability.
Lead production readiness planning, risk identification and mitigation, and readiness metric definition for program ramps and sustainment.
Architect and drive investments in tooling, workstations, automation, and capital equipment; lead business cases and justification for manufacturing improvements.
Establish and maintain standardized processes, best practices and controls across production lines; champion scalable, repeatable solutions.
Lead complex problem solving and continuous improvement activities (root cause analysis, corrective actions, Six Sigma methodologies).
Integrate manufacturing considerations early into product and process decisions; represent manufacturing in design and program reviews.
Mentor, develop and provide technical oversight to engineering teams; review and approve engineering deliverables, installation plans, and process documentation.
Use data analytics, simulation and model-based approaches to validate processes, balance flow, and support capacity planning.
Coordinate cross-functional teams (design, quality, supply chain, production, industrial engineering) and external partners to deliver on schedule and on budget.
This position is expected to be 100% onsite.
These positions are for both 1st and 2nd shift. Candidates must be open to both shifts and will be assigned one or the other at time of offer.
Basic Qualifications (Required):
· Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited course of study in engineering, engineering technology (includes manufacturing engineering technology), chemistry, physics, mathematics, data science, or computer science.
12+ years of relevant work experience with a Bachelor’s degree OR an equivalent combination of work-related experience and technical education.
Preferred Qualifications (Desired Skills/Experience):
Advanced degree (M.S. or Ph.D.) in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Aerospace or related engineering discipline.
15+ years of progressive manufacturing engineering experience in aerospace/defense or other complex, high-reliability manufacturing environments.
Strong experience with process qualification, lean manufacturing, automation/robotics, and digital manufacturing tools.
Demonstrated capability in project and program leadership, including schedule, budget and stakeholder management.
Experience with manufacturing engineering and factory tools such as CREO, CATIA, MES, DELMIA, FlexSim, ProModel, or equivalent.
Familiarity with Manufacturing Execution System Common Image (MESci) and model-based enterprise practices (MBD/MBE).
Experience leading supplier integration, qualification and production transfers.
Proven track record of mentoring engineers and reviewing/approving engineering work products.
Certifications or training in Lean, Six Sigma, Systems Engineering or Project Management (e.g., PMP, Lean/Six Sigma Black Belt) are a plus.
Education / Experience:
Education/experience typically acquired through advanced technical education from an accredited course of study in engineering, engineering technology (includes manufacturing engineering technology), computer science, engineering data science, mathematics, physics or chemistry (e.g. Bachelor) and typically 14 or more years’ related work experience or an equivalent combination of technical education and experience or non-US equivalent qualifications. In the USA, ABET accreditation is the preferred, although not required, accreditation standard.
Benefits offered to vary by the contract. Depending on your temporary assignment, benefits may include direct deposit, free career counseling services, 401(k), select paid holidays, short-term disability insurance, skills training, employee referral bonus, affordable medical coverage plan, and DailyPay (in some locations). For a full description of benefits available to you, be sure to talk with your recruiter.
Job Requirements
Minimum Security Clearance:
Secret
Military connected talent encouraged to apply.
VEVRAA Federal Contractor / Request Priority Protected Veteran Referrals / Equal Opportunity Employer / Veterans / Disabled
To read our Candidate Privacy Information Statement, which explains how we will use your information, please visit http://www.tadpgs.com/candidate-privacy/ or https://pdsdefense.com/candidate-privacy/
The Company will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with federal, state, and local laws and/or security clearance requirements, including, as applicable:
The California Fair Chance Act
Los Angeles City Fair Chance Ordinance
Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers
San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance
VEVRAA Federal Contractor / Request Priority Protected Veteran Referrals / Equal Opportunity Employer / Veterans / Disabled
