Senior Principal Cost Engineer

Summary:PennAero is hiring a Senior Cost Engineer at our Briles Aerospace Company in Gardena, CA. Briles Aerospace is a certified manufacturer of high-strength aerospace fasteners with decades of industry experience. Our team brings deep technical knowledge and advanced manufacturing techniques to every project, producing precision components that meet exacting aerospace specifications.About PennAero:PennAero is a leading manufacturer of highly engineered fasteners and specialized components for critical aerospace, defense, space, and advanced energy applications. We partner with customers to solve their most complex challenges, bringing technical depth and disciplined, agile execution when it matters most. Experience guides our growth—strengthening capabilities and expanding our global platform as markets evolve. To learn more about PennAero's capabilities and commitment to aerospace excellence, visit https://pennaero.comWe are seeking a highly experienced Senior Principal Engineer to support aerospace manufacturing operations. This role is responsible for developing and optimizing manufacturing methods while establishing, validating, and controlling product and process cost. The ideal candidate brings deep hands-on aerospace experience, strong cost-setting capabilities, and the ability to influence decisions across Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, and Finance.Key Responsibilities:Develop, document, and maintain manufacturing methods, process flows, routings, and work instructionsAnalyze existing processes to improve efficiency, quality, yield, and cycle timeSupport new product introduction (NPI), including process definition and manufacturability reviewsLead continuous improvement initiatives using Lean, Six Sigma, or similar methodologiesProvide technical support to Production, Quality, and Engineering teams during troubleshooting and process changesEstablish and validate standard costs, including labor, overhead, material, and processingDevelop cost models and cost estimates for new and existing productsPerform cost roll-ups, variance analysis, and cost reduction opportunitiesSupport pricing, quoting, margin analysis, and make/buy decisionsPartner with Supply Chain and Manufacturing to identify cost savings and productivity improvementsSupport audits, should-cost analysis, and customer cost reviews as neededServe as a senior technical authority and advisor across Engineering and OperationsWork closely with Design Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Finance, and Supply ChainProvide data-driven recommendations to leadership related to process and cost decisionsSupport DFMEA/PFMEA, risk assessments, and capacity planning activitiesRequired Qualifications:Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Manufacturing, Mechanical, Industrial, or related discipline)10+ years of engineering experience in aerospace manufacturingDemonstrated experience setting and managing costs in a manufacturing environmentStrong understanding of labor standards, overhead allocation, and manufacturing economicsProven experience developing and improving manufacturing processesAbility to read and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and routingsStrong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skillsBackground in cost modeling, standard costing, or should-cost analysisCompensationIn compliance with all states and cities requiring transparency of pay, the expected pay range for this position is $90,000 - $140,000.Compensation can vary depending on several factors, including a candidate's qualifications, skills, experience, competencies, and geographic location. Some roles may qualify for extra incentives like equity, commissions, or other variable performance-related bonuses. Further details will be provided by our recruiting team during the interview process.