{"id":1303082,"url":"https://alion.io/job/ast-science-manufacturing-engineer-npi-tooling","title":"Manufacturing Engineer (NPI & Tooling)","company":{"id":2057930,"name":"AST SpaceMobile","domain":"ast-science.com","url":"https://alion.io/company/ast-science","size_band":"1001-5000","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Greenhouse","truth_index":{"grade":"A","score":90,"open_postings":206,"ghost_share":0.083,"stale_share":0,"repost_share":0,"time_to_fill_p50_days":125,"computed_at":"2026-10-17T05:46:00Z"}},"role":"Industrial Engineering","role_family":"Industrial Engineering","seniority":"staff","employment_type":null,"work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Midland, United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":null,"salary_estimate":{"min_usd":101000,"max_usd":199000,"period":"year","method":"role_seniority_country_remote_cell","sample_n":1259},"experience_years_min":10,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[{"name":"Python","optional":false},{"name":"SolidWorks","optional":false}],"status":"closed","first_seen_at":"2026-02-20T14:17:23Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-06-19","last_verified_at":"2026-10-16T20:19:34Z","board_verified":false,"closed_at":"2026-10-16T20:19:34Z","days_open":238,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":0,"flags":["company_stale"],"days_open":237},"description":"AST SpaceMobile is building the first and only global cellular broadband network in space to operate directly with standard, unmodified mobile devices based on our extensive IP and patent portfolio and designed for both commercial and government applications. Our engineers and space scientists are on a mission to eliminate the connectivity gaps faced by today’s five billion mobile subscribers and finally bring broadband to the billions who remain unconnected.\nPosition Overview\nThe Manufacturing Engineer is responsible for developing, optimizing, and automating production processes that support high-reliability automotive and aerospace manufacturing. This role drives end-to-end process design, equipment implementation, and continuous improvement initiatives to enable safe, repeatable, and efficient production. The engineer partners cross-functionally with design, quality, and operations teams to support new product introduction (NPI), improve manufacturability, and scale production capacity in regulated, quality-critical environments.\nKey Responsibilities\nProcess Development & Optimization\nDevelop, validate, and optimize manufacturing processes for new and existing products.\nCreate and maintain process documentation including work instructions, PFMEAs, control plans, process flow diagrams, and SOPs.\nPerform time studies, capacity modeling, and line balancing to improve throughput and efficiency.\nIdentify and eliminate bottlenecks to ensure stable, repeatable production performance.\nLean Manufacturing & Continuous Improvement\nImplement Lean methodologies including 5S, Kaizen, SMED, VSM, and structured root-cause problem solving.\nDrive improvements in cycle time, takt time, yield, and overall process quality.\nSupport TPM initiatives and improve OEE metrics across production assets.\nLead continuous improvement projects focused on waste reduction and operational excellence.\nAutomation & Equipment Engineering\nSpecify, design, and implement automated equipment, robotics, vision systems, PLC-based controls, and automated test equipment (ATE).\nPartner with external vendors for equipment sourcing, installation, commissioning, and validation.\nDevelop or support automation programming using PLCs, Python, LabVIEW, or similar tools.\nConduct equipment capability studies including Gage R&R, MSA, Cp/Cpk, and validation protocols.\nQuality & Compliance\nEnsure manufacturing processes comply with IATF 16949, AS9100, ISO 9001, and related standards.\nLead root cause investigations using 8D, fishbone, and 5-Why methodologies.\nPartner with Quality Engineering to implement robust process controls and improve first-pass yield.\nMaintain documentation and traceability in regulated production environments.\nCross-Functional Collaboration\nSupport new product introduction (NPI) activities from concept through production ramp.\nLead DFM/DFA reviews to ensure manufacturability and cost efficiency.\nCoordinate with supply chain, production, and program teams to enable smooth launches and sustained operations.\nSafety & Operational Excellence\nEnsure all processes meet safety, ergonomic, and environmental standards.\nConduct risk assessments and support EHS initiatives.\nProvide hands-on technical support to shop floor teams to resolve production issues.\nQualifications\nEducation\nBachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical field.\nExperience\n10+ years of experience in automotive, aerospace, or other high-reliability manufacturing environments.\nDemonstrated experience in process automation, robotics, equipment design, or automated test systems.\nStrong background in Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma tools, and continuous improvement.\nExperience developing PFMEA, Control Plans, GD&T application, and DFM/DFA practices.\nHands-on experience with CAD tools (SolidWorks, CATIA, or similar).\nFamiliarity with regulated manufacturing quality systems and standards.\nPreferred Qualifications\nSix Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.\nPLC programming, robotics integration, or automation scripting experience.\nExperience in aerospace satellite assembly, automotive electronics, or precision manufacturing.\nKnowledge of ERP/MES systems and digital manufacturing platforms.\nBackground in reliability engineering or environmental qualification testing.\nSoft Skills\nStrong analytical and problem-solving capability.\nEffective cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder communication.\nProject management and prioritization skills in fast-paced production settings.\nHands-on, solution-oriented mindset with strong ownership.\nTechnology Stack\nCAD: SolidWorks, CATIA, or similar\nControls/Automation: PLCs, robotics systems, vision systems\nProgramming/Scripting: Python, LabVIEW (or similar)\nManufacturing Systems: ERP/MES platforms\nQuality/Analysis: MSA tools, Cp/Cpk, Lean/Six Sigma toolsets\nPhysical Requirements\nFrequent presence on production floor and manufacturing lines.\nAbility to work around automated equipment and testing systems.\nOccasional lifting, standing, and extended time in an industrial environment.\nThis job description may not be inclusive to the duties and responsibilities listed. Additional tasks may be assigned to the employee from time to time or the scope of the job may change as needed by business demands. \nAST SpaceMobile is an Equal Opportunity, at will Employer; employment is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.","description_format":"text","description_chars":5747,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":10,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":{"level":"bachelor","optional":false},"security_clearance":false,"languages":[]},"benefits":[],"hiring_locations":[],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":false,"industries":["Satellite Communications","Satellite Manufacturing","Mobile Networks"],"lifecycle":[{"event":"open","at":"2026-09-26T12:21:47Z"},{"event":"close","at":"2026-10-16T20:19:34Z"}],"visa":[{"country":"US","licensed_sponsor":true,"evidence":"H-1B filings in 12 months: 12 · green card filings: 3","filings_12m":12,"filings_prev_12m":2,"green_card_filings_12m":3,"median_offered_wage_usd":139833,"route":null,"cap_exempt":false,"checked_at":"2026-10-15T11:24:14+00:00","sources":["US Department of Labor: LCA disclosure data (H-1B, H-1B1, E-3)","US Department of Labor: PERM disclosure data (green cards)"],"filings_for_role_12m":0}],"liveness":null,"pay":null,"html_url":"https://alion.io/job/ast-science-manufacturing-engineer-npi-tooling","json_url":"https://alion.io/job/ast-science-manufacturing-engineer-npi-tooling.json","meta":{"generated_at":"2026-10-18T07:13:57Z","cache_seconds":300,"methodology":"https://alion.io/methodology","terms":"https://alion.io/terms","contact":"https://alion.io/contact","api":"https://alion.io/developers","about":"Alion is a live layer of people, companies and AI agents: who they are, whether they are real and active right now, what they do and how to work with them, readable by people and by agents and paid per call.","catalog":"https://alion.io/catalog.json","usage":{"tier":"crawler_verified","counted_by":"address","units_charged":1,"used_today":10856,"day_limit":null,"remaining_today":null,"minute_limit":300,"resets_at":"2026-10-19T00:00:00Z"}},"offers":[{"id":"company.slices","title":"One company in depth, by slice","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002,"plus_per_slice":{"credits":0.05,"usd":0.005}},"unit":"per company, plus each slice with data","note":"the employer in depth","call":{"mcp_tool":"get_company","arguments":{"id":2057930},"rest":"https://alion.io/mcp/rest/get_company?id=2057930"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.slices&for=job%2Fast-science-manufacturing-engineer-npi-tooling"},{"id":"market.stats","title":"A market slice: pay, demand and time to fill","status":"live","price":{"credits":1,"usd":0.1},"unit":"per slice","note":"pay, demand and time to fill for this role and place","call":{"mcp_tool":"market_stats"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=market.stats&for=job%2Fast-science-manufacturing-engineer-npi-tooling"},{"id":"job.search","title":"Open jobs by role, technology, place, pay and visa","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002},"unit":"per posting in a list","note":"similar open postings","call":{"mcp_tool":"search_jobs"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=job.search&for=job%2Fast-science-manufacturing-engineer-npi-tooling"},{"id":"company.verify","title":"Is this company real and active right now","status":"pilot","price":null,"unit":"per company","request":{"url":"https://alion.io/catalog/request","method":"POST","body":"{\"offer\": \"company.verify\", \"for\": \"job/ast-science-manufacturing-engineer-npi-tooling\", \"note\": \"what you need it for\"}"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.verify&for=job%2Fast-science-manufacturing-engineer-npi-tooling"}]}