Hawthorn Aero
MANUFACTURING ENGINEER

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Location: Dayton / Miamisburg, OH
Employment Type: Full-Time, On-Site
Reports to: VP of Operations
Travel: Approximately 10%
Clearance: N/A
Requirement: Must be a U.S. citizen
About Hawthorn Aero
Hawthorn Aero delivers mission-ready manufacturing solutions built to meet the speed, scale, and reliability demands of today’s missions. Through a partner-first approach, we accelerate development, enable cost-efficient production, and ensure rate-ready execution from concept through high-rate manufacturing.
We combine early-stage design and development with low-rate prototype builds to de-risk programs and accelerate transition to production. Our team applies advanced airframe manufacturing techniques alongside robust integration services across 150,000 square feet of manufacturing space in Miamisburg, Ohio. Hawthorn Aero is AS9100D and ISO 9001:2015 certified.
Position Summary
The Manufacturing Engineer focuses on expanding manufacturing and technology capabilities, improving existing manufacturing systems, enabling the introduction of new products, and providing project management support for various departments throughout the company.
Essential Responsibilities
- Creates, documents, and troubleshoots processes in the manufacturing of complex composite products. Manufacturing processes include preparing molds, preparing resins and fabric, preparing APTs, oven setup and programming, resin transfer molding, monitoring process parameters (temperature, time, pressure, etc.), removal of product and trimming, cleanup, packing, etc.
- Responsible for manufacturing quality, including workmanship, functionality, product readiness and complete and proper packing to meet schedule and customer needs.
- Proactively identify problems in the manufacturing of products and the use of machinery and equipment and liaise with engineering to establish and implement solutions.
- Develop and implement and maintain a continuous improvement/lessons learned process to encourage and utilize feedback throughout the manufacturing process. The program should focus on productivity, efficiency, quality and employee and customer satisfaction.
- Documents processes and trains technicians and other personnel
- Creates and revises documents such as work instructions, and internal specifications.
- Interacts with suppliers and obtain quotes as necessary.
- Evaluates equipment and processes for repeatability and make improvements as necessary.
- Performs cost analysis, provides budgets, and justifies capital expenditures on projects.
- Analyzes and plans work force utilization, space requirements, workflow, and designs layout of equipment and workspace for maximum efficiency.
- Evaluates and improves manufacturing methods, utilizing knowledge of product design, materials and parts, fabrication processes, automation, tooling, production equipment capabilities, assembly methods, and quality control standards.
- Confers with vendors and internal resources to determine product specifications and arrange for purchase and installation of equipment, materials, or parts, and evaluates products according to specifications and quality standards.
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Qualifications
- Negative drug screen and favorable background check
- Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering and 5+ years of related experience
- Experience with Microsoft Outlook and Office
Ideal Candidates Will Exhibit The Following Qualities/Abilities
- Ability to solve difficult technical problems using systematic approach
- Good organizational skills and strong verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to multi-task
- Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups and managers, clients, customers, and the general public
- Epicor experience a plus
- Knowledge of standard quality tools and programs such as ISO9000, Nadcap, Six Sigma, FMEA (Failure Modes Effect Analysis).


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PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to stand, sit, and use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee is occasionally required to walk, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Employee may spend a minimum of three to four hours per day at a PC doing design. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts, risk of electrical shock, UV exposure, fumes, spark and heat. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Duties may require the occasional use of/contact with/exposure to various hazardous materials (such as, but not limited to grease, oils, lubricants, paint, thinner, parts cleaner, chemicals, etc.). Employees should have basic awareness of hazardous materials cautions. Those directly using the materials must have specific knowledge of material in use and utilize appropriate safety precautions.
How To Apply
Interested candidates should submit a resume and brief cover note to:
937.912.3250
Please include “UAV Aircraft Assembler IV” in the subject line. Hawthorn Aero is an equal opportunity employer.
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