Role
Sorian Aerospace is building autonomous supersonic aircraft for advanced training and test. Sandman is an unmanned supersonic trainer. Unforgiven is a fighter-class advanced trainer designed for piloted and unmanned operation. Both aircraft share a common foundation across autonomy, avionics, flight controls, and aircraft systems.
As Lead Manufacturing Engineer, you’ll build the manufacturing system for a vertically integrated aircraft company. You’ll own tooling, work instructions, assembly planning, inspection, quality, supplier development, and production planning while creating repeatable processes that preserve engineering speed.
This is a hands-on role with clear ownership over how designs become flight hardware and how Sorian builds its internal manufacturing capability.
Note: U.S. citizenship or permanent residency is required due to regulatory constraints.
Responsibilities
- Own manufacturing engineering across prototype and low-rate aircraft production
- Develop tooling, work instructions, assembly plans, inspection methods, and quality controls
- Drive design for manufacturing and assembly into upstream engineering work
- Establish configuration control, traceability, and repeatable production processes
- Own tooling strategy, shop capability, production planning, and make-versus-buy decisions
- Develop suppliers and coordinate outside partners without losing internal ownership
- Hire, train, and lead a small, high-output team of machinists and manufacturing engineers
Requirements
- 5–10 years of experience in aerospace or high-performance manufacturing
- Proven ability to run prototype shops and scale toward low-rate production
- Deep knowledge of tolerances, GD&T, inspection, and quality control systems
- Hands-on experience with CNC machining, composites, and other aerospace materials
- Familiarity with DFM, lean principles, and ERP/MRP systems
- Comfortable owning timelines and delivering under pressure
Results
- Build a flexible manufacturing system that produces traceable, high-quality aircraft hardware
- Integrate manufacturing feedback into engineering cycles to reduce cost and complexity
- Create repeatable processes that support rapid iteration and low-rate production
- Build a small manufacturing organization known for precision, speed, and ownership
Availability
Full-time, based in Long Beach, CA
Evenings and weekends may be required during build, integration, or test milestones
Compensation Range
$200,000–$250,000 base salary
- meaningful equity
- complete healthcare benefits for you and your dependents
Company Core Values
We run it hotter. We run it faster.
We simplify systems. We eliminate complexity. We deliver hardware that works.
Execution is the culture. We expect leaders to be hands-on, fast-moving, and accountable from day one.
To apply: Email your resume and a brief summary of the hardest thing you’ve ever built, how you did it, and why it mattered to manufacturing@sorianaero.com or click the “Apply Now” button below.