Manufacturing Engineer II

Howmet Aerospace · Carson, CA

Level: Engineer
Team: Manufacturing
Base pay: $100k–$130k
Degree: Required
Experience asked: 3+ years
Industry: Aerospace & defense
Posted: 28 days ago

The role in 30 seconds

An engineer-level manufacturing role at Howmet Aerospace (aerospace & defense) in Carson, CA. Develop, maintain, and improve manufacturing processes for aerospace fasteners from raw material through finished product.

They ask for: 3+ years · degree required
Tools it names: Lean, Kaizen, Root cause, DMAIC, FMEA, GD&T
Base pay: $100k–$130k
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 $100k–$130k.

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 14% below similar roles
Experience asked: Less than usual (3+ vs 5+)

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 Kaizen, DMAIC, AS9100, Internal audits, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with it.

It asks for 3+ years. If you're close, apply anyway: requirements are a wish list. Talk to someone doing this work there first.

At a glance

Off-shift / weekend coverage

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 Carson

4 other open roles at this site · 2 people we found in manufacturing roles at Howmet Aerospace.

Sr. Maintenance Technician Industrial Electrician · Reliability · Technician
Quality Technician II, Metallurgical(1st Shift) · Quality · Technician
Sr. Maintenance Technician Industrial, Heat Treat · Reliability · Technician
Quality Tech, Sr. Mechanical (Aerospace) · Quality · Technician

Manufacturing Engineer II at Howmet Aerospace in other locations

Howmet Aerospace lists this title in 2 places. Pick the plant you can get to.

Brea, CA · $110k–$130k

Full description from Howmet AerospaceAs posted on their careers site.Show

requirements

✓Ability to consistently make timely decisions even in the face of complexity, balancing systematic analysis with decisiveness
✓Ability to cope with high demand environment where priorities change frequently, and multiple projects are being worked at the same time

Qualifications

✓Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline
✓Minimum of 3 years of experience in manufacturing engineering experience within fastener, metal forming, machining or another high-volume precision manufacturing environment.
✓Employee 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.

Preferred Qualifications

✓Master's degree in an engineering discipline
✓3+ years of experience in high volume manufacturing
✓Experience working with CNC Machines
✓Experience with Microsoft Office products.
✓Experience working with ERP systems, preferably QAD
✓Experience in CAD software, preferably in SolidWorks.
✓Knowledgeable in blueprint reading and GD&T

Show full description ↓

Specific

Include

Using established procedures and working under immediate supervision performs a variety of engineering assignments in developing and implementing production processing methods and controls to meet quality and safety standards in the most cost-efficient manner. This position reports directly to Operation Manager.

•Collaborate and provide support with various functional areas within engineering, manufacturing, and quality.
•Develop, maintain, and improve manufacturing processes for aerospace fasteners from raw material through finished product.
•Provide engineering support for fastener manufacturing processes including heading, thread rolling, grinding, machining, heat treatment and related secondary operations
•Evaluate existing manufacturing processes and identify opportunities to improve throughput, quality, productivity and cost
•Analyze scrap, rework, downtime, cycle time, and other manufacturing performance data to identify and implement process improvement
•Determine most efficient and cost-effective manufacturing methods.
•Perform quoting/costing of new or existing product.
•Understand various manufacturing processes to produce Aerospace fasteners.
•Recommend and implement improvements and/or modifications in manufacturing sequences of operations.
•Participate in cost reduction continuous improvement projects
•Provide manufacturing support, including weekend and second shift coverage at month end. Working hours may exceed a 40-hour week as required.
•Set up and change bill of materials and/or manufacturing methods.
•Support and participate in internal audits, and other audits such as AS9100 and NADCAP
•Can thrive in a fast-paced lean environment

Skills/Knowledge

•Strong understanding of aerospace fastener manufacturing processes and manufacturing fundamentals
•Knowledge of metal forming machine, thread rolling, grinding, and secondary fastener operations
•Knowledge of tooling, dies, fixtures, gauges and process controls used in fastener manufacturing
•Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing theories, DMAIC methodologies, standards, and tools.
•Able to participate in the RCCA (root cause and corrective actions) process
•Willing to participate in Kaizens and PFMEA(s).
•Understanding and working knowledge of AMS industry specifications, Aerospace Quality system AS9100, and NADCAP AC7102

Benefits/Salary

The position includes competitive wages and a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance (medical, dental, vision), excellent 401k matching program, paid holidays and vacation. The salary range for this position is $100,000.00 to $130,000.00.

Basic

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 .