Lawton, OK - Manufacturing Engineer in LAWTON, Oklahoma at Advanced Navigation and Positioning Corporation

ANPC’s new production facility, strategically located at the FISTA Innovation Park, advances our mission to deliver high-precision navigation and airspace surveillance solutions worldwide. Positioned next to key military partners at Fort Sill, our Lawton production team combines cutting-edge engineering with dedicated manufacturing to support critical defense capabilities, military readiness, and civil aviation infrastructure globally.

The Manufacturing Engineer serves as the critical technical bridge between product design engineering and shop-floor execution at our new aerospace production facility in Lawton, Oklahoma. This role is responsible for establishing, optimizing, and maintaining repeatable, cost-effective manufacturing processes for ANPC’s navigation and positioning systems.

Initially, you will partner with the facility launch team to establish work-cell layouts, design custom assembly tooling/fixtures, and draft precise manufacturing assembly procedures ahead of our operational opening at The FISTA. Post-launch, you will support daily shop-floor operations by resolving technical discrepancies, driving Design for Manufacturability (DFM) improvements, and ensuring all production workflows strictly comply with AS9100, ITAR, and aerospace quality standards.

• Design, establish, and optimize ergonomic shop-floor work-cell layouts, assembly stations, and material flows to support efficient production throughput.

• Design, source, and implement custom assembly fixtures, holding tools, and shop-floor manufacturing aids to improve yield, safety, and repeatable assembly.

• Translate complex Technical Data Packages (TDPs), CAD models, and schematics into clear, standardized Manufacturing Work Instructions, Travelers, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

• Assist in the installation, setup, calibration, and operational qualification of shop-floor manufacturing, assembly, and acceptance test equipment.

• Serve as the primary, daily technical support for assembly technicians and production staff; resolve Technical Data Package (TDP) redlines, drawing discrepancies, and assembly bottlenecks.

• Design for Manufacturability (DFM): Conduct formal DFM/DFA reviews, collaborating directly with Hood River design engineers to provide floor-level insights that simplify assembly, reduce part counts, and drive down manufacturing costs.

• Maintain precise Bill of Materials (BOM) integrity, routings, and item data in the ERP system, managing Engineering Change Orders (ECOs/ECNs) for smooth floor implementation.

• Analyze manufacturing yield data, scrap rates, and build times to lead root-cause analysis (RCA) and process improvement initiatives using Lean principles.

• Ensure all manufacturing processes comply with AS9100/ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems, IPC assembly standards, and ITAR/EAR secure facility protocols.

• Bachelor of Science in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical discipline.

• 3+ years of experience in manufacturing, process, or production engineering within a regulated technical hardware environment.

• Equivalent Military Experience: relevant active-duty military service is applicable.

• Demonstrated experience translating CAD models/drawings into production routings, tooling, and step-by-step assembly instructions.

• Proven experience in a hands-on, shop-floor environment supporting technicians and resolving assembly issues.

• Proficiency in 3D CAD modeling software (SolidWorks or equivalent) for designing assembly fixtures and reviewing product models.

• Strong working knowledge of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T per ASME Y14.5) and reading complex mechanical and electro-mechanical drawings.

• Working knowledge of ISO 9001 or AS9100 quality frameworks, ITAR/EAR regulatory requirements, and configuration management best practices.

• Familiarity with electro-mechanical assembly techniques, mechanical fasteners, wiring harness integration, and basic torque specifications.

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and continuous improvement skills (Root Cause Analysis, 5S, Lean principles).

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with a "servant-leader" mindset toward supporting shop-floor staff.

Due to the sensitive nature of the information and projects handled at this facility, this position requires U.S. citizenship. Candidates must be U.S. citizens to be considered for this role.

• Manufacturing engineering experience within aerospace, defense, avionics, or high-reliability electro-mechanical manufacturing.

• Familiarity with IPC standards (e.g., IPC-A-610, IPC/WHMA-A-620 for cable and harness assemblies, J-STD-001).

• Experience using ERP/MRP and PLM systems (e.g., Sage 100, Windchill, Deltek) to manage engineering changes and BOMs.

• Prior experience working in new plant startups, rapid-growth production scaling, or defense-adjacent accelerator environments like The FISTA.

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 in an office and manufacturing environment. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Essential functions may require maintaining the physical condition necessary for sitting, walking or standing for periods of time; operating a computer and keyboard; talk and hear at normal room levels; using hands to finger, grasp, and feel; repetitive motion; close visual acuity to prepare and analyze data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading; lift, push, carry, or pull up to 20 pounds.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job in an office and manufacturing environment. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate. The employee will be exposed to the typical office environment with computers, printers and telephones.

In addition to base pay, our competitive total rewards package consists of:

• 401(k) plan with match and immediate vesting.

• Comprehensive suite of insurance benefits for employees (and their families) to include a variety of medical plan options (including an HSA with employer contribution), dental, vision, life and disability insurance, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Legal/Identity support plans, pet insurance.

• Access to Flexible Spending Accounts (Medical and Dependent Care).

• Generous paid time off including 4 weeks of vacation per year, 11 paid company holidays, which includes a winter company shutdown from Christmas to New Year’s.