Sr. Manufacturing Engineer - Aerospace
Howmet Aerospace · Brea, CA
- Level
- Senior
- Team
- Manufacturing
- Base pay
- $99k–$134k
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 5+ years
- Industry
- Aerospace & defense
- Posted
- 30+ days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A senior manufacturing role at Howmet Aerospace (aerospace & defense) in Brea, CA. Get to support production operations and drive continuous improvement across the facility.
- They ask for
- 5+ years · degree required
- Tools it names
- GD&T, AS9100, CNC, Machining, SolidWorks
- Base pay
- $99k–$134k
- Day to day
- some off-shift / weekend coverage
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of November 2, 2026
Manufacturing Engineer roles in California: typical posted base $112k–$168k. This one lists $99k–$134k.
Median of the low and high ends of 147 live postings that list pay, out of 388 manufacturing engineer openings in California, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
California plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 387 other live manufacturing postings in California.
- Base pay
- About 13% below similar roles
- Experience asked
- Typical (5+ years)
Typical $110k–$159k, from 126 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- Tooling 52%
- New product launch 47%
- Root cause 38%
- Automation 35%
- CATIA / NX 27%
- ✓ Machining 27%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for AS9100, CNC, 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 Howmet Aerospace
We found 2 people at this company and state: 2 in this kind of role. Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. See 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.
Write to Ralph → (free) - 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 does off-shift and weekend coverage work?
- 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: Howmet Aerospace in Brea
4 other open roles at this site · 2 people we found in manufacturing roles at Howmet Aerospace.
- Quality Tech · Quality · Technician
- Manufacturing Engineer II · Manufacturing
- Continuous Improvement Engineer · Lean / CI
- Maintenance Mechanic · Reliability · Technician
Full description from Howmet AerospaceAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Key Responsibilities
- ◆Supporting day-to-day manufacturing operations.
- ◆Performing Material Review Board (MRB) dispositions.
- ◆Setting up and updating manufacturing routers.
- ◆Identifying and implementing process improvements to enhance quality and productivity.
- ◆Collaborating effectively with a motivated, team-oriented group of engineers to resolve production challenges.
- ◆Collaborating directly with manufacturing personnel to resolve production issues and implement process improvements.
- ◆Applying a strong understanding of aerospace manufacturing processes and industry standards.
Basic
Qualifications
- ✓Bachelor's degree in a technical field (e.g.,
Mechanical, Aerospace, Manufacturing Engineering) from an accredited
university.
- ✓Minimum of 5 years of experience in aerospace
manufacturing.
- ✓Knowledge of aerospace industry specifications and
standards (e.g., AS9100, NAS, MIL)
- ✓Proficiency in GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning and
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
Position Overview
As a Sr. Manufacturing Engineer, you'll be part of our Aerospace team working as an onsite employee. You'll get to support production operations and drive continuous improvement across the facility.
Tolerancing)
- •Experience with SolidWorks or equivalent CAD software
- •Familiarity with ERP systems
- •Knowledge of aerospace fastener manufacturing
- •Understanding of metal forming processes, including
heading, nut forming, and progressive die presses
- •Experience with conventional and CNC machining
- •Familiarity with destructive and non-destructive
testing methods for aerospace fasteners
- •Understanding of aerospace surface treatments,
including plating, solid film lubricants, and cetyl alcohol
- •Knowledge of heat treatment processes and their impact
on material properties
- •Employees must be legally authorized to work in the
United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at
the time of hire. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
- •This position entails access to export-controlled
items and employment offers are conditioned upon an applicant's ability to
lawfully obtain access to such items.
Our Story
Howmet Aerospace Inc. (NYSE: HWM), headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a leading global provider of advanced engineered solutions for the aerospace and transportation industries. Our primary businesses focus on jet engine components, aerospace fastening systems, titanium structural parts and forged wheels. With $8.3 Billion in revenue in 2025, our products play a crucial role in enabling fuel efficiency and lightweighting, contributing to our customers’ success and making a positive impact on the world. To learn more about the way Howmet Aerospace Inc. is advancing the sustainability of our customers, markets, and communities where we operate, review the 2025 Environmental Social and Governance report at www.howmet.com/esg-report . Follow: LinkedIn , Twitter , Instagram , Facebook , and YouTube .
If you need assistance to complete your application due to a disability, please email: TalentAcquisitionCoE_Howmet@howmet.com