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Lead, Composite Manufacturing Engineer 1

L3Harris · Huntsville, AL

Apply on L3Harris ↗
Level
Manager
Team
Manufacturing
Travel
10%
Degree
Required
Experience asked
9+ years
Industry
Aerospace & defense
Posted
30+ days ago

The role in 30 seconds

A management manufacturing role at L3Harris (aerospace & defense) in Huntsville, AL. Identify, analyze, and resolve manufacturing issues and bottlenecks.

They ask for
9+ years · degree required
Tools it names
Lean, FMEA, GD&T, Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ), Robotics, CNC
Day to day
about 10% travel

Read from the posting. The full description is below.

From the plant jobs report · week of November 2, 2026

Manufacturing Engineer roles in Alabama: typical posted base $85k–$131k.

Median of the low and high ends of 10 live postings that list pay, out of 64 manufacturing engineer openings in Alabama, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.

Alabama plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →

How this role compares

Against 63 other live manufacturing postings in Alabama.

Base pay
Not listed in this posting

Typical $77k–$121k, from 9 postings that list pay.

Experience asked
More than usual (9+ vs 4+)

Similar roles usually ask 4+ years.

Skills these teams ask for most

  • ✓ Tooling 59%
  • Root cause 50%
  • ✓ FMEA 36%
  • Machining 33%
  • Welding 31%
  • ✓ Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) 30%

✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.

It asks for 9+ years. If you're close, apply anyway: requirements are a wish list. Talk to someone doing this work there first.

At a glance

Promotion path mentioned

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. 1

    Pick 2–3 people on the Manufacturing team at L3Harris

    We found 2 people at this company and state: 1 in this kind of role, 1 leaders. Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. See them ↓

  2. 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 Mitchell → (free)
  3. 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?
    • The posting says about 10% travel. Between which sites?
    • How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
  4. 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. 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: L3Harris in Huntsville

17 other open roles at this site · 2 people we found in manufacturing roles at L3Harris.

All 18 roles at L3Harris →
Full description from L3HarrisAs posted on their careers site.Show

requirements

for the manufacture of advanced, man-rated, and high value aerospace hardware.

Essential Functions

  • ◆Champion process improvement projects using Lean Manufacturing methodologies.
  • ◆Lead transition efforts for programs moving from other L3Harris facilities to Huntsville.
  • ◆Train and mentor less experienced engineers on manufacturing processes and best practices.
  • ◆Provide in-depth technical knowledge and guidance on manufacturing processes, equipment, and materials.
  • ◆Stay updated with the latest advancements in manufacturing technology and industry best practices.
  • ◆Evaluate and recommend new equipment and technologies to improve manufacturing capabilities.
  • ◆Identify, analyze, and resolve manufacturing issues and bottlenecks.
  • ◆Perform investigations of nonconforming hardware and implement corrective actions to prevent future occurrences.
  • ◆Implement cost-saving measures without compromising quality or efficiency.
  • ◆Ensure that manufacturing processes adhere to safety regulations and environmental standards.
  • ◆Create detailed work instructions, procedures, PFMEAs, and JSAs that meet design, process, quality, safety, and environmental requirements.
  • ◆Provide shop floor support of advanced composite manufacturing processes.
  • ◆Analyze engineering drawings and specifications in support of developing robust and advanced part and tooling designs.
  • ◆Present fabrication processes at customer readiness reviews and present process changes to customers at change board meetings.
  • ◆Travel: 10% travel may be required to support suppliers or other manufacturing sites.
  • ◆Occasional off-shift and weekend work required to support manufacturing schedules.
  • ◆Ability to obtain US secret security clearance.

Qualifications

  • ✓Bachelor’s Degree and minimum 9 years of prior composite engineering experience. Graduate Degree and a minimum of 7 years of prior composite engineering experience. In lieu of a degree, minimum of 13 years of prior composite engineering experience.
Show full description ↓

L3Harris is dedicated to recruiting and developing high-performing talent who are passionate about what they do. Our employees are unified in a shared dedication to our customers’ mission and quest for professional growth. L3Harris provides an inclusive, engaging environment designed to empower employees and promote work-life success. Fundamental to our culture is an unwavering focus on values, dedication to our communities, and commitment to excellence in everything we do.

L3Harris is the Trusted Disruptor in defense tech. With customers’ mission-critical needs always in mind, our employees deliver end-to-end technology solutions connecting the space, air, land, sea and cyber domains in the interest of national security.

Job Title: Lead, Composite Manufacturing Engineer

Job Location: Huntsville, AL- AMF South

Job Schedule: 4/10: Employees work 10 hour days, 4 days a week 1st shift

Job Description

We are seeking a Lead, Composite Manufacturing Engineer to work at our new state-of-the-art Advanced Manufacturing Facility (AMF) in Huntsville, AL , which will be our inert manufacturing facility for fabrication and assembly of composite rocket motor hardware.

The Lead, Composite Manufacturing Engineer is a Subject Matter Expert (SME) with comprehensive knowledge of job area and in-depth knowledge of project management. They manage large, complex project initiatives of substantial importance to the organization with minimal oversight or direction. They communicate within and outside of the organization to explain and influence changes to practices, processes and approaches. They make significant improvements in processes, systems, or products, and provide input into new products/processes to implement operational plans that have measurable impact on business or functional results.

This is a dynamic team that requires motivated, self-starting individuals with hands-on experience. Manufacturing Engineers lead process management activities and create associated documentation for their assigned processes. They must be able to follow company procedures and

Preferred Additional Skills

  • +Hand layup and cure of insulation, composite and/or other materials.
  • +Experience writing specifications for new pieces of equipment.
  • +Strong GD&T background supporting part validation.
  • +CAD modeling experience.
  • +Surface preparation for primary substrates to bond rubber or composite materials.
  • +Precision assembly of aerospace hardware.
  • +Experience with operation of robots, presses, ovens, winders, CNC machines, cutting tables and/or autoclaves.
  • +Knowledge of composite materials, including the behavior of different fibers (carbon, glass, aramid) and resin systems.
  • +Strong cross-functional communication skills.
  • +Strong problem-solving skills.
  • +Adaptable to a changing work environment.

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