Associate Manufacturing Engineer
AST SpaceMobile · Midland, TX
- Level
- Engineer
- Team
- Manufacturing
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 8+ years
- Industry
- Aerospace & defense
- Posted
- 30+ days ago
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level manufacturing role at AST SpaceMobile (aerospace & defense) in Midland, TX. Assess new product concepts and designs for manufacturability, providing recommendations to R&D/Product Engineering.
- They ask for
- 8+ years · degree required
- Tools it names
- Six Sigma, Kaizen, SPC, Minitab, Tooling
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026
Manufacturing Engineer roles in Texas: typical posted base $79k–$132k.
Median of the low and high ends of 33 live postings that list pay, out of 148 manufacturing engineer openings in Texas, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Texas plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 147 other live manufacturing postings in Texas.
- Base pay
- Not listed in this posting
- Experience asked
- More than usual (8+ vs 5+)
Typical $79k–$132k, from 33 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Tooling 57%
- Root cause 51%
- Lean 39%
- New product launch 39%
- Automation 34%
- ✓ Six Sigma 28%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for Kaizen, Minitab, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Manufacturing team at AST SpaceMobile
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
- 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- Is the work mostly new product launches or sustaining existing lines?
- How much time do you spend on the floor versus at a desk?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
This plant: AST SpaceMobile in Midland
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Full description from AST SpaceMobileAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Key Responsibilities
- ◆Assess new product concepts and designs for manufacturability, providing recommendations to R&D/Product Engineering.
- ◆Develop methods and processes for manufacturing new products in the safest, most cost-effective manner while meeting quality standards and production demand.
- ◆Conduct proof-of-principle or proof-of-concept studies to validate manufacturing approaches.
- ◆Design detailed manufacturing processes, including layouts, tooling, fixtures, programming, testing, and documentation.
- ◆Continuously improve existing production methods using Six Sigma methodologies and knowledge of product design, materials, fabrication processes, tooling, equipment capabilities, assembly techniques, and quality standards.
- ◆Troubleshoot technical issues in current production and provide engineering support to operations.
- ◆Participate in or lead Safety, Kaizen, and other continuous improvement initiatives.
- ◆Support the qualification of new or modified products through manufacturing processes to final completion.
Education
- ✓Bachelor’s Degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related discipline OR 8 years of equivalent experience.
Experience
- ✓0–3 years of experience in a manufacturing environment.
- ✓Proficient with MS Office and CAD/CAM tools.
Preferred Qualifications
- ✓Understanding of tooling, gauging, Six Sigma principles, and capability studies.
- ✓Experience in technical writing (procedures, work instructions).
- ✓Exposure to process development and manufacturing engineering in aerospace or high-tech production.
Requirements
- ✓Ability to work in a standard office environment.
- ✓Ability to work on the production floor as needed, including standing, walking, and interacting with equipment.
- ✓Ability to use a computer for extended periods.
This job description may not be inclusive of all duties and responsibilities. Additional tasks may be assigned as needed based on business demands.
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.
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
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.
Position Overview
The Associate Manufacturing Engineer will support the development, evaluation, and continuous improvement of manufacturing methods and processes to sustain current production and support the introduction of new products. This role contributes to manufacturing readiness, process optimization, and the successful transition of products from design to production.
Soft Skills
- •Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare instructions, procedures, and documentation.
- •Strong organizational and project management abilities.
- •Proven problem-solving skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across teams.
- •Detail-oriented, structured, and able to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
Technology Stack
- •MS Office Suite
- •CAD/CAM software
- •Manufacturing process design tools
- •Data analysis or statistical process control tools (e.g., Minitab)
Physical