AeroDef Manufacturing
Manufacturing Engineer - Aerospace
AeroDef Manufacturing, Arvada, Colorado, United States, 80004
Manufacturing Engineer
Location:
Arvada, CO (on-site)
Company:
Final Frontier Manufacturing
Base Pay Range:
$80,000 - $115,000 per year
Comp:
$80k to $110k + benefits
Final Frontier Manufacturing is a collaborative team of engineers and builders turning designs into flight hardware—fast. We’re a precision‑machining startup for space (rockets + satellites), building the factory that builds the parts. We constantly experiment with and deploy new technology that makes us faster, more capable, and more precise.
Founded in 2022, we’ve shipped $10M+ of product in just three years and growth is accelerating. We're a small team with high talent density—you’ll be our second full‑time Manufacturing Engineer and have a big impact every day.
If you’re coming from a larger company and want to move faster, own outcomes end‑to‑end, and ship real hardware, this is that opportunity. You’ll work across multiple top‑tier (confidential) space programs—diverse materials, geometries, and manufacturing processes—while helping drive the broader reindustrialization of U.S. manufacturing.
What You’ll Do At Final Frontier, manufacturing engineering isn’t a support function—it’s the engine. You’ll architect processes, automation, and digital systems that define how modern space hardware is made. This role blends deep technical execution with creative problem‑solving and a bias for action.
Lead process design for complex, high‑value components and assemblies—turning challenging geometry and tight tolerances into stable, repeatable manufacturing strategies.
Develop process flows, risk‑based plans, tooling concepts, and documentation that actually help the floor move faster.
Collaborate with the toolroom to design fixtures that minimize setup and maximize repeatability.
Partner with Production, Quality, Purchasing, and Operations to translate engineering intent into scalable workflows.
Integrate automation and data: push toward lights‑out machining, optimize cycle time and tool life, and close the loop with analytics.
Program and refine CAM (Mastercam, Esprit, or equivalent) for 3‑ to 5‑axis and mill/turn parts—balancing precision, efficiency, and consistency.
Launch and iterate: prove‑outs, setup sheets, and continuous improvement alongside machinists, QA, and toolroom.
Beyond Parts – Shape the Next Phase of Final Frontier These initiatives tie directly into our mission of building the factory that builds the parts—advancing the systems, automation, and digital backbone that power the space industry.
Cobot machine‑tending expansion on our existing automation (UR / FANUC CRX): gripper/tooling selection, cell layout, changeover, and safety.
AI in CAM and process planning: piloting AI‑assisted toolpath strategy selection, template generation, and verification workflows.
CMMC cybersecurity audit: implement practical digital traveler, access control, and traceability systems with engineering input.
New facility design (larger footprint): contribute to floor layout, material flow, utilities, metrology labs, tool crib, and automation cell design—engineered for high‑mix throughput.
Fit You’re the kind of engineer who gets restless waiting for decisions and would rather make things happen. You think in systems, not tasks. You see a design and immediately picture the fixture, the setup, the toolpath, and the inspection plan. You love solving technical puzzles and then hardening them into process. You care about rigor but hate bureaucracy. You want to work with people who can argue well, then roll up their sleeves and build together.
What We Offer We’re looking for people who want to help build the modern factory for space hardware. It's a challenging mission and we pay well so you can focus on doing your best work.
Top 25% compensation and benefits.
Medical/dental/vision, 401(k), PTO, holidays.
Free hot breakfast and lunch provided daily.
Modern tools, a collaborative culture, and meaningful impact on hardware that flies.
Skills Required
GD&T
CNC Programming
AS9100
Industrial Robot Programming
Design for Manufacturability (DFM)
Mechanical Design & Engineering
Machines & Technologies You'll Use
CAM Software (Mastercam)
CNC Mill (5+ axis VMC)
CNC Lathe (5+ axis)
Seniority Level Mid-Senior level
Employment Type Full-time
Job Function Engineering and Information Technology
Industries Industrial Machinery Manufacturing
Recruitment Details Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at AeroDef Manufacturing by 2x
Get notified about new Manufacturing Engineer jobs in Arvada, CO.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Arvada, CO (on-site)
Company:
Final Frontier Manufacturing
Base Pay Range:
$80,000 - $115,000 per year
Comp:
$80k to $110k + benefits
Final Frontier Manufacturing is a collaborative team of engineers and builders turning designs into flight hardware—fast. We’re a precision‑machining startup for space (rockets + satellites), building the factory that builds the parts. We constantly experiment with and deploy new technology that makes us faster, more capable, and more precise.
Founded in 2022, we’ve shipped $10M+ of product in just three years and growth is accelerating. We're a small team with high talent density—you’ll be our second full‑time Manufacturing Engineer and have a big impact every day.
If you’re coming from a larger company and want to move faster, own outcomes end‑to‑end, and ship real hardware, this is that opportunity. You’ll work across multiple top‑tier (confidential) space programs—diverse materials, geometries, and manufacturing processes—while helping drive the broader reindustrialization of U.S. manufacturing.
What You’ll Do At Final Frontier, manufacturing engineering isn’t a support function—it’s the engine. You’ll architect processes, automation, and digital systems that define how modern space hardware is made. This role blends deep technical execution with creative problem‑solving and a bias for action.
Lead process design for complex, high‑value components and assemblies—turning challenging geometry and tight tolerances into stable, repeatable manufacturing strategies.
Develop process flows, risk‑based plans, tooling concepts, and documentation that actually help the floor move faster.
Collaborate with the toolroom to design fixtures that minimize setup and maximize repeatability.
Partner with Production, Quality, Purchasing, and Operations to translate engineering intent into scalable workflows.
Integrate automation and data: push toward lights‑out machining, optimize cycle time and tool life, and close the loop with analytics.
Program and refine CAM (Mastercam, Esprit, or equivalent) for 3‑ to 5‑axis and mill/turn parts—balancing precision, efficiency, and consistency.
Launch and iterate: prove‑outs, setup sheets, and continuous improvement alongside machinists, QA, and toolroom.
Beyond Parts – Shape the Next Phase of Final Frontier These initiatives tie directly into our mission of building the factory that builds the parts—advancing the systems, automation, and digital backbone that power the space industry.
Cobot machine‑tending expansion on our existing automation (UR / FANUC CRX): gripper/tooling selection, cell layout, changeover, and safety.
AI in CAM and process planning: piloting AI‑assisted toolpath strategy selection, template generation, and verification workflows.
CMMC cybersecurity audit: implement practical digital traveler, access control, and traceability systems with engineering input.
New facility design (larger footprint): contribute to floor layout, material flow, utilities, metrology labs, tool crib, and automation cell design—engineered for high‑mix throughput.
Fit You’re the kind of engineer who gets restless waiting for decisions and would rather make things happen. You think in systems, not tasks. You see a design and immediately picture the fixture, the setup, the toolpath, and the inspection plan. You love solving technical puzzles and then hardening them into process. You care about rigor but hate bureaucracy. You want to work with people who can argue well, then roll up their sleeves and build together.
What We Offer We’re looking for people who want to help build the modern factory for space hardware. It's a challenging mission and we pay well so you can focus on doing your best work.
Top 25% compensation and benefits.
Medical/dental/vision, 401(k), PTO, holidays.
Free hot breakfast and lunch provided daily.
Modern tools, a collaborative culture, and meaningful impact on hardware that flies.
Skills Required
GD&T
CNC Programming
AS9100
Industrial Robot Programming
Design for Manufacturability (DFM)
Mechanical Design & Engineering
Machines & Technologies You'll Use
CAM Software (Mastercam)
CNC Mill (5+ axis VMC)
CNC Lathe (5+ axis)
Seniority Level Mid-Senior level
Employment Type Full-time
Job Function Engineering and Information Technology
Industries Industrial Machinery Manufacturing
Recruitment Details Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at AeroDef Manufacturing by 2x
Get notified about new Manufacturing Engineer jobs in Arvada, CO.
#J-18808-Ljbffr