Manufacturing Engineer – Assembly Full Time

RAM Aviation, Space & Defense is a leader in aerospace innovation, powering flight and space exploration with precision solenoids, valves, and actuators. Since 1975, we’ve supported missions like the Space Shuttle and continue to deliver mission-critical components for commercial, defense, and satellite systems. As one of Southern Utah’s largest employers, we drive economic growth and offer high-skilled careers in engineering and manufacturing. From our advanced facility in St. George, we build the future of aerospace—on time, with excellence, and as a team. Join us to work on groundbreaking technology and help shape the future of flight and space exploration. Your career takes off here!

As a Manufacturing Engineer (Assembly), you are the architect of efficiency on our main production floor. This is a “boots-on-the-ground” role where you will work directly with technicians to optimize the assembly of our flight-critical hardware. Your mission is to make the complex simple. You will design efficient workflows, troubleshoot production bottlenecks in real-time, and implement Lean solutions that make the operator’s job safer and more consistent. If you are an engineer who prefers the energy of the shop floor to the quiet of a cubicle, we want you to help us build the future of flight.

Duties And Responsibilities

• Process Optimization (Lean Focus): Lead the implementation of Lean Manufacturing principles on the assembly line. You will continuously analyze value streams to reduce cycle time, eliminate waste (Muda), and improve product flow.
• Shop Floor Support: Serve as the technical first responder. When production stalls or a fixture isn’t working right, you are there to troubleshoot, problem-solve, and get the line moving again.
• Work Instructions & Standards: Author and maintain clear, user-friendly Work Instructions and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). You ensure that every product is built exactly to spec, every time.
• Continuous Improvement: Plan and facilitate Kaizen events with cross-functional teams (operators, quality, maintenance) to solve chronic production issues and improve line layout.
• Operator Training: Partner with supervisors to train and certify operators on new processes or equipment. You act as a coach, ensuring the team understands the “why” behind the process.
• Equipment & Maintenance: Monitor the health of assembly equipment and coordinate with maintenance to establish preventative maintenance schedules.
• New Product Introduction (NPI): Collaborate with Design Engineering to ensure new products are “Designed for Assembly” (DFA). You provide the manufacturing voice early in the design phase to prevent production headaches later.

Requirements

• Legal: Must be able to pass a comprehensive criminal background check and drug screening.
• ITAR: Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum (due to ITAR requirements).
• Education: B.S. degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Industrial Engineering is required.
• Experience: Demonstrated experience in a manufacturing environment supporting assembly operations.
• Lean Mindset: Strong understanding of Lean principles (5S, One-Piece Flow, Visual Management). Practical experience participating in or leading continuous improvement projects is highly preferred.
• Technical Writing: Ability to translate complex engineering requirements into simple, step-by-step instructions for operators.
• Problem Solving: Practical troubleshooting skills. You can look at a mechanical assembly issue and use root cause analysis (5 Whys) to find the solution.
• Communication: Excellent interpersonal skills. You must be comfortable working with everyone from the assembler on the bench to the Operations Manager.

Preferred Skills

• Basic knowledge of CAD (SolidWorks) for interpreting drawings or sketching simple tooling concepts.
• Familiarity with electro-mechanical assembly processes.

Why You’ll Love Working At RAM – Our Benefits

At RAM Aviation, Space & Defense, we believe our people are our greatest asset. That’s why we offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package designed to support your well-being, work-life balance, and long-term success.

Our Benefits Include

• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance – Comprehensive coverage to keep you and your family healthy.
• Short-Term Disability & Voluntary Benefits – Additional protection and peace of mind when you need it most.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – Confidential support for personal, financial, and emotional well-being.
• Paid Time Off (PTO) & Paid Holidays – Generous time off to relax, travel, and spend time with loved ones.
• Paid Parental Leave – Time to bond with your new addition and transition smoothly back to work.
• 401(K) Retirement Account – Plan for your future with our 401(K) retirement account, complete with an employer match.
• Tuition Assistance – Invest in your education and future growth with our tuition assistance program.
• Flexible Work Schedule – Balance your work and personal life with a flexible work schedule.

We are committed to creating an environment where our employees can thrive both personally and professionally.

EEO (Equal Employment Opportunity)

RAM Aviation, Space & Defense is an equal opportunity employer. All aspects of employment including the decision to hire, promote, discipline, or discharge, will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law. In addition, it is the policy of RAM Aviation, Space & Defense to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified employees who have protected disabilities to the extent required by applicable laws, regulations, and ordinances where a particular employee works.

We welcome former military and law enforcement applicants!