Manufacturing Engineer

Company Background:

Specter is creating a software-defined “control plane” for the physical world. We are starting with protecting American businesses by granting them ubiquitous perception over their physical assets.

To do so, we are creating a connected hardware-software ecosystem on top of multi-modal wireless mesh sensing technology. This allows us to drive down the cost and time of deploying sensors by 10x. Our platform will ultimately become the perception engine for a company’s physical footprint, enabling real-time perimeter visibility and autonomous operations management.

Our co-founders Xerxes https://www.linkedin.com/in/xerxes-libsch/ and Philip https://www.linkedin.com/in/philip-clark-883a41126/ are passionate about empowering our partners in the fast-approaching world of physical AI and robotics. We are a small, fast-growing team who hail from Anduril, Tesla, Uber, and the U.S. Special Forces.

Role + Responsibilities:

Specter is hiring a full-stack Manufacturing Engineer to bridge the gap between hardware engineering design and scalable production. You will work at the intersection of rapid prototyping, design for manufacturability, and field deployment readiness. This role is critical to ensure our hardware products can transition smoothly from the engineering bench to high-volume production.

Potential responsibilities include:

- Responsibility for an entire manufacturing line and product, bringing the manufacturing line and product from concept to high-volume production

- Design production tooling such as jigs, fixtures, and lift assists in CAD

- Collaborate closely with mechanical, electrical, and systems engineers to design products that are manufacturable, testable, and reliable

- Train and interface closely with the production team to ensure they are properly following build processes

- Develop and implement DFM/DFA guidelines and provide feedback early in the design cycle to enable rapid build iterations and downstream scalability

- Design and document manufacturing processes including first article builds and manufacturing work instructions, and PFMEA

- Responsible for MES of the product, maintaining traceability of the product from cradle to grave

- Work with supply chain and external manufacturing partners to ensure readiness for NPI builds and eventual ramp to commercial volumes

- Collaborate on the development of test processes and validation plans for component and system-level verification

- Travel as needed to suppliers, contract manufacturers, and deployment sites to support builds and resolve manufacturing issues on the ground

Qualifications:

- 3+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering, mechanical engineering, or electrical engineering, preferably in fast-paced, hardware-focused environments

- Strong engineering fundamentals including: GD&T, GR&R, material selection, process capability, and mechanics of materials

- Strong knowledge of Lean Six Sigma and statistical analysis

- Expertise in one of the following processes: Machining, Soldering, Laser Welding, Leak Testing, Electrical Testing, Casting, or another manufacturing process

- Knowledge of various manufacturing methods such as machining, EDM, welding, casting, and additive manufacturing, as well as niche processes such as broaching, extrusion, and Hot Isostatic Pressing

- Proficiency in 3D CAD Software such as CATIA or SolidWorks

- Experience working hands-on with mechanical and electromechanical assemblies, including troubleshooting, rework, and process improvement

- Knowledge of tolerance analysis, statistical process control, and basic quality engineering tools

- Excellent problem-solving skills and a collaborative mindset

- Ability to work extended hours, including nights and weekends as required