The role
- COMP
- $140K - $175K
- EQUITY
- Competitive equity
- LOCATION
- Denver · Seattle · Los Angeles · Texas
- WORKPLACE
- On-site
- EXPERIENCE
- 3 - 7 years
- VISA
- None
- INDUSTRY
- Defense, Manufacturing, AI
/roles — ROLE_416
Forward Deployed Integration Engineer
Manufacturing startup that buys precision machine shops and modernizes them with software and lean practice
The company
Manufacturing company that acquires precision machine shops serving aerospace and defense, then modernizes them with its own software, shop-floor data systems, and AI tools.
- STAGE
- Series A-stage
- FUNDING
- $20M+ raised
- TEAM
- ~15 people
- FOUNDED
- 2018
JD — the work
About the role
You would embed at machine shops the company has just acquired and lead their shift to modern, data-driven operations, working beside machinists and earning their trust quickly. You'd own the integration period after each deal closes, starting with a baseline of how the shop runs and ending with the company's software and lean fundamentals in place. The shops make precision parts for major aerospace, defense, and new-space companies, and early engineers can grow into leadership roles as the business expands. Denver or Seattle is strongly preferred; otherwise expect more than 80% travel.
What you'll do
- Be the company's representative on the floor, managing relationships among machinists, plant leaders, and the acquisitions team
- Shepherd defense and aerospace jobs, such as rocket, missile, and maritime parts, from planning to inspection and after-delivery fixes
- Roll out lean practices such as 5S, Kanban, and visual management
- Link the company's software to the ERP each shop already runs, winning operator buy-in
- Assess shop health in person: measure OEE, find equipment shortfalls, and trace the causes of quality escapes and late deliveries
- Apply the company's own data and tooling to run shops better, turning floor observations into capex cases and executive recommendations
What they're looking for
- 3 to 7 years of hands-on manufacturing engineering or machine shop work, in defense, new-space, or large shops
- A degree in mechanical, industrial, or manufacturing engineering, or something close
- Working GD&T knowledge, for example explaining runout and choosing the right machine
- Deep expertise in one or more of metrology, lean, CAD/CAM, or CNC machining
- Living near Seattle or Denver, or willing to travel more than 80% of the time
- U.S. Person status for ITAR-controlled work
Nice to have
- Time at startups or smaller shops, not only at big legacy primes
- Formula SAE, a rocketry club, or other hands-on engineering projects
- Familiarity with ERP software at a job shop
- A track record of guiding teams through change