Manufacturing Engineer I

Katalyst Description:

Katalyst is an American technology company focused on dynamic space operations.  We are building a fleet of dual-use multipurpose robotic space vehicles to create the future where maneuvering, upgrading, refueling, resupply and exploration are as routine as they are on Earth. Getting to space and overcoming the gravity well is only half the story. What you do there is the future. We are not building the trains. We are building the machines that lay down the tracks. By developing the foundational capabilities that make sustained, responsive operations possible, we enable a new era of space exploration that strengthens national security and ensures freedom of action in an increasingly contested domain.

Katalyst Culture:

Working at Katalyst is intense, hands-on, and deeply rewarding. You’ll take real ownership and see your work move from concept to operations in an environment where the problems are hard and the impact is real. We value humility, craftsmanship, and doing things the right way, even when it’s harder. You’ll work closely with thoughtful, driven teammates who push each other to do their best. 

What You’ll Do  

• Translate released engineering designs, drawings, specifications, and engineering bills of material into executable manufacturing plans, manufacturing BOMs and build kits, routings, travelers, work instructions, inspection points, and test hold points for spacecraft hardware. 

• Own production planning and sequencing for spacecraft, payload, and subsystem builds; coordinate with engineering, supply chain, quality, and technicians to ensure materials, tooling, documentation, work centers, and inspection resources are ready when work is scheduled. 

• Maintain and improve manufacturing data in ERP/MRP systems, including BOM structures, routings, work orders, lead times, material requirements, WIP status, and build priorities; identify shortages and constraints early and drive recovery plans. 

• Develop and improve manufacturing processes, assembly sequences, tooling and fixtures, build layouts, and DFM/DFA recommendations that reduce risk, rework, cycle time, and ambiguity on the floor. 

• Support technicians and engineers during hardware builds, integration, and test by resolving work-instruction gaps, drawing discrepancies, nonconformances, redlines, engineering changes, and unexpected production issues without losing configuration control. 

• Build practical labor, capacity, and schedule plans for low-rate, high-complexity flight hardware; establish build-readiness criteria, daily priorities, milestone tracking, and clear escalation paths for material, tooling, quality, or engineering blockers. 

 What We’re Looking For  

Required  

• Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Operations, or a related technical discipline; equivalent hands-on manufacturing experience may be considered. 

• 3+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering, production planning, systems engineering, A&IT,or manufacturing operations supporting aerospace, defense, spacecraft, robotics, or other high-reliability hardware. 

• Demonstrated experience creating and maintaining manufacturing plans, routings, travelers, work instructions, BOMs, work orders, and build documentation from engineering drawings and released technical data. 

• Strong understanding of manufacturing flow, material readiness, sequencing, work-center constraints, tooling, inspection requirements, and the practical realities of executing complex hardware builds on the shop floor. 

• Experience using ERP/MRP, MES, PLM, or related manufacturing systems to manage BOMs, routings, material demand, work orders, configuration changes, WIP, and production status. 

• Ability to work across engineering, supply chain, quality, technicians, and program teams; communicate blockers clearly; and drive issues to closure with disciplined follow-through. 

• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, highly collaborative environment where schedule urgency must be balanced with flight-hardware quality, configuration control, and sound engineering judgment. 

Your Ideal Background  

Preferred   

• Experience planning or manufacturing spacecraft, launch vehicles, aircraft, defense systems, robotics, or other low-volume, high-complexity flight or mission-critical hardware. 

• Experience with AS9100-style quality systems, configuration management, engineering change control, nonconformance/MRB processes, lot or serial traceability, and as-built documentation. 

• Experience in avionics/electronics and/or manufacturing engineering is preferred but not required. Strong organizational and communication skills are highly valued, particularly for candidates supporting planning and coordination activities. 

• Hands-on familiarity with a range of manufacturing and integration processes such as machining, sheet metal, composites, bonding, mechanical assembly, cable/harness integration, electronics installation, or precision metrology. 

• Experience developing manufacturing tooling, fixtures, assembly aids, or shop layouts and working directly with technicians to improve safety, ergonomics, repeatability, and cycle time. 

• Experience supporting first-article, prototype, or new-product-introduction builds and transitioning processes from one-off development hardware toward repeatable production

Additional Requirements: Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed. 

Compensation and Benefits: Your base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience. The anticipated salary range for this role is $70,000 - $110,000 annually.

Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at Katalyst. You will also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of the Employee Stock Option and Equity Plan, as well as a relocation bonus and other discretionary bonuses. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, and unlimited Paid Time Off.

At Katalyst our work on projects involving the U.S. Department of Defense requires adherence to International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), 22 C.F.R. Parts 120-130, which requires compliance with U.S. export laws before allowing employees to perform certain positions. Currently, our available roles necessitate access to ITAR-controlled information, and as a result, Katalyst would have to ensure any non-US person is authorized access to ITAR information before the commencement of employment. We are committed to equal employment opportunities and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin.