Principal Manufacturing Engineer - High-Volume Composites Production

Company: Approach Venture
Location: Los Angeles
Posted on: February 13, 2026

Job Description:

Job Description Job Description Principal Manufacturing Engineer - Come lead advanced composite manufacturing at a fast-growing defense startup! El Segundo, CA | On-site Opportunity Summary A venture-backed defense technology company is building next-generation composite manufacturing systems to support high-volume production for critical national security applications. Their proprietary processes enable complex, high-strength parts to be produced faster and more efficiently than traditional fabrication methods, helping strengthen domestic manufacturing capability. This is a rare opportunity for a senior manufacturing leader to own the scale-up of composite production lines, drive operational excellence, and shape the future of advanced manufacturing in a mission-driven environment. If you thrive in hands-on leadership roles and enjoy taking products from pilot to production, this role offers both technical challenge and long-term growth. About Us We are a fast-moving defense-focused startup developing innovative manufacturing processes for advanced composite structures used in demanding operational environments. Our work supports critical government and defense programs, with a strong emphasis on reshoring manufacturing, improving production speed, and delivering reliable, high-performance components at scale. Our team is made up of experienced engineers and operators who value execution, ownership, and continuous improvement. Job Duties Lead the design, build, and deployment of composite manufacturing lines from pilot to higher-rate production Establish stable, repeatable processes to achieve consistent yield, quality, and cycle time performance Develop and maintain detailed work instructions, routings, and production documentation Specify tooling, fixtures, and process parameters to support efficient manufacturing Drive line optimization efforts including takt balancing, changeover reduction, and throughput improvements Track production metrics and implement corrective actions when performance deviates from targets Partner with quality, machining, and automation teams to improve reliability and reduce scrap Support production line ramp-ups at internal and external facilities as needed Lead continuous improvement initiatives using structured problem-solving tools Mentor and guide technicians and junior engineers on the manufacturing floor Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing, Mechanical, Industrial, or a related engineering field 4 years of experience in manufacturing engineering or production scale-up Proven experience optimizing production lines for yield, reliability, and efficiency Background in bringing products from early production into higher-volume manufacturing Strong experience creating work instructions and maintaining production documentation Familiarity with SPC, first article inspections, FMEA, and root cause analysis methods Experience implementing 5S or similar workplace organization systems Ability to support production line launches across multiple U.S. locations Comfortable working in fast-paced, hands-on manufacturing environments Preferred Experience Composite materials manufacturing and process development CNC or manual machining experience Process engineering in molding or advanced fabrication environments Experience specifying custom tooling and fixtures Working with external suppliers or in-house machine shops Exposure to ISO 9001 or similar quality management systems Why Join Us Play a key leadership role in scaling advanced manufacturing operations Work on mission-critical programs that support national defense Opportunity to influence long-term production strategy and process design Join a growing company with strong technical leadership High-impact role with real ownership and responsibility Stock options Paid time off 401k with employer matching up to 4 percent Medical, dental, and vision coverage Compensation Details $140,000 - $200,000 LI-AV

Keywords: Approach Venture, Palmdale , Principal Manufacturing Engineer - High-Volume Composites Production, Engineering , Los Angeles, California