Lead, Material Process Engineering

Job Title: Material Process Engineer 

Job Code: 40269

Job Location:  On-site at our Canoga Park, CA facility

Job Schedule: 9/80  Employees work 9 out of every 14 days – totaling 80 hours worked – and have every other Friday off

Job Description:

We are seeking a talented Material Process Engineer to join our Missile Solutions team at our Canoga Park facility. In this role, you'll support critical aerospace and defense programs, including the RS-25 rocket engine and advanced missile systems that protect national security. You'll develop and optimize manufacturing processes for mission-critical components, working alongside industry-leading engineers in a dynamic environment where your expertise directly impacts product quality and mission success. If you're passionate about aerospace and defense innovation and want to make a meaningful contribution to programs that matter, we want to hear from you—apply today to join our team!

Essential Functions:

• Develop, qualify, and optimize manufacturing processes for aerospace and defense metallic materials including titanium alloys, nickel-based superalloys, stainless steels, high-strength steels, and aluminum alloys used in propulsion and missile system components


• Support production operations by troubleshooting process issues, implementing corrective actions, and driving continuous improvement initiatives • Collaborate with design engineering, quality, and manufacturing teams to ensure producibility and cost-effectiveness across multiple defense programs


• Conduct failure analysis and root cause investigations on non-conforming materials and processes


• Create and maintain process specifications, work instructions, and manufacturing documentation in compliance with program requirements


• Interface with suppliers to conduct engineering process approvals and support resolution of hardware quality issues


• Lead process validation activities and process capability studies to ensure manufacturing readiness


• Support new product introduction (NPI) activities from design review through production release


• Travel up to 25% to supplier facilities and other company locations as required

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree and minimum 9 years of prior relevant engineering experience. Graduate Degree and a minimum of 7 years of prior related engineering experience. In lieu of a degree, minimum of 13 years of prior related engineering experience. 

Preferred Additional Skills:

• 5-9 years of experience in materials engineering or manufacturing process engineering within aerospace, defense, or related high-reliability industries 


• Bachelor's degree in Materials Science, Metallurgical Engineering, or related engineering discipline


• Understanding and demonstrated experience of special processes (welding, heat treat, plating, shot peening, etc.) and their qualification requirements


• Familiar with non-destructive testing (NDT) methods (ultrasonic, radiographic, penetrant, magnetic particle) 


• Knowledge of aerospace materials including titanium alloys, nickel-based superalloys, stainless steels, high-strength steels, and aluminum alloy


• Experience with additive manufacturing (3D printing) of metal components


• Experience with metallurgical testing and characterization techniques 


• Knowledge of material specifications and standards (AMS, ASTM, MIL-SPEC) 


• Experience with metallography and microstructural analysis


• Familiarity with material traceability and certification requirements


• Experience with materials selection and design for manufacturability (DFM)


• Knowledge of rocket engine, turbomachinery, or missile system manufacturing processes


• Knowledge of corrosion mechanisms and prevention methods in aerospace applications


• Experience with process FMEA (Failure Modes and Effects Analysis)


• Familiarity with statistical process control (SPC) and Six Sigma methodologies


• Experience with Microsoft Project or other project management software


• Familiarity with AS9100, NADCAP, or other aerospace quality management systems


• Active Secret or Top Secret security clearance

In compliance with pay transparency requirements, the salary range for this role in California is $122,000 - $227,000. This is not a guarantee of compensation or salary, as final offer amount may vary based on factors including but not limited to experience and geographic location. L3Harris also offers a variety of benefits, including health and disability insurance, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, EAP, education assistance, parental leave, paid time off, and company-paid holidays. The specific programs and options available to an employee may vary depending on date of hire, schedule type, and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements.

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