Sheet Metal Manufacturing Engineer

Job Description Sheet Metal Manufacturing Engineer Huntington Beach, CA (On-Site)About the companyA defense startup building the next generation of made-in-USA attritable jet turbine engines for Group 1–3 UAV programs. AS9100 certified, with a world-class engineering team and a seed round currently in progress. We move fast, we build things, and we don't do bureaucracy.About the roleThis is a ground-floor opportunity to own and build out a sheet metal forming department. You will have full ownership of the capability — from equipment selection and tooling design to process development and part production. There is no ceiling on what you can build here and no committee to answer to. If you've been waiting for a role where your decisions actually matter and your work ships, this is it.What you'll ownOwn the sheet metal forming capability end to end — spinning, forming, rolling, and stamping of high-temperature superalloy componentsSelect and procure forming equipment appropriate for superalloy geometriesDesign tooling and fixtures in CAD for forming operationsDevelop and document all process SOPs, work instructions, and quality proceduresQualify forming processes to meet AS9100 standardsProduce actual parts — this is a hands-on role, not a process architecture roleCollaborate with design and manufacturing engineering teams to optimize parts for formability (DFM)Identify heat treatment and annealing requirements to support superalloy formabilityIterate on tooling and process to continuously improve output quality and speedWhat we need from youProven experience owning a forming or sheet metal process — ideally standing one up or significantly expanding itHands-on experience forming high-temperature superalloys: Inconel 625/718, Hastelloy, Haynes alloys, high-temp stainless, or nickel-based alloysProficiency in CAD for tooling and fixture design — you design your own toolsStrong understanding of superalloy forming behavior — cracking, tearing, springback, and how to engineer around itExperience with metal spinning, deep drawing, bump rolling, or stamping of tight-tolerance aerospace componentsAbility to specify and source manufacturing equipmentAbility to write SOPs, process documentation, and quality recordsU.S. Person required — ITARPreferred but not requiredBackground in turbomachinery hot section components — combustors, cases, housingsFamiliarity with AS9100 process qualificationAutomotive stamping and tooling design background — the geometry and discipline translate wellHeat treat and annealing process knowledge for superalloy formabilityCompensation$145,000 – $185,000 base + equityPlatinum healthcare — 100% covered for you and your familyLife / AD&D and long-term disability fully coveredUnlimited PTOLunch and fully stocked kitchenRelocation assistance available