Manufacturing Engineer
Butler Recruitment Group
Herndon, VA · Posted November 8, 2026
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Where Herndon, VA ranks
Where Herndon, VA placed in our monthly rankings, month by month. Each month stays online at its own address.
November 2026
- #2Best cities for pay after cost of living in Virginia$161k · of 15
- #3Best cities for pay after cost of living in the Southeast$161k · of 33
- #3Best all-round cities for AI careers in the Mid-Atlantic86 / 100 · of 37
- #4Best cities for pay after cost of living in the Mid-Atlantic$161k · of 37
- #4Best cities for software and engineering jobs in the Mid-Atlantic441 openings · of 68
- #4Best all-round cities for mid-career professionals in the Mid-Atlantic76 / 100 · of 37
Rankings about engineering jobs
- Best cities for software and engineering jobs #1 San Francisco (3,412 openings)
- Best cities for engineering pay after cost of living #1 San Mateo ($216k)
- Most requested AI skills in engineering jobs #1 AI tools in daily work (6.1%)
- AI tools named most often in engineering jobs #1 Claude (1.7%)
- Employers with the most engineering jobs #1 Amazon (2,992 roles)
Pay compared with the market
This listing does not state pay. Across 417 open manufacturing engineer listings that state pay, the middle half runs $88,000 to $126,000 and the median is $102,500.
Listed pay is what employers advertise, not what people are paid.
Manufacturing Engineer salaries by state · Check your own pay
How AI is used in this kind of work
AI use among industrial engineers is little observed so far. Measured exposure for industrial engineers: 4% (little observed).
Share of this job’s tasks that AI is already used for at work, from real usage. It is not a forecast of job loss, and a low number means no use seen yet. Source: Anthropic Economic Index.
Skills this job asks for
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About the job
Job Title: Manufacturing Engineer
Location: Herndon, VA
Salary Range: $90,000 - $135,000 annually
About the Role We are seeking a hands-on Manufacturing Engineer with experience in prototype and low-volume manufacturing of complex space systems. You will play a crucial role in assembly, integration, and test (AIT), working closely with IPT leads and Program Managers to define process flows, author work instructions, and develop tooling and support equipment.
Key Responsibilities
Create end-to-end process flows for prototype and low-volume manufacturing.
Develop clear work instructions including tooling, inspection points, and safety notes.
Design or specify tooling, fixtures, and support equipment.
Support AIT sequences and opto-mechanical/electronics subsystem testing.
Collaborate with R&D engineering, quality, test, and supply chain teams.
Provide hands-on support for first article builds and troubleshooting.
Contribute to test setups, ground support equipment definition, and non-conformance processing/RCCA outcomes.
Required Qualifications
BS in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
5 to 10+ years of manufacturing engineering experience.
Experience in space hardware or high-reliability manufacturing (aerospace/defense or medical).
Strong understanding of first article and low-volume production.
Hands-on experience with assembly, integration, and test (AIT).
Ability to author high-quality work instructions.
Familiarity with CAD (Creo preferred) and ERP (Costpoint preferred).
Experience with non-conformance processing and RCCA.
Preferred Qualifications
Precision assembly experience (opto-mechanical, electro-optical systems).
Knowledge of AS9100, ISO9001, and configuration management.
Familiarity with environmental testing, PLM systems, and digital thread workflows.
Basic GD&T and tolerance analysis skills.
Core Competencies
Hands-on execution on the production floor.
Strong communication and cross-functional collaboration.
Systems Engineering mindset balancing cost, quality, and schedule.
Ownership, urgency, and disciplined follow-through.
Benefits Offered We provide a comprehensive benefits package designed for your well-being:
Medical, dental, and vision coverage
Disability, life insurance, and AD&D
401(k) plan with company match and immediate vesting
Flexible Spending and Health Savings Accounts
Employee Assistance Program and education assistance
Paid time off and holidays
Flexible work schedules (including a 9/8/80 alternate workweek option)
About Us We are a recognized leader in advanced lasers, lidars, and laser communication systems, providing DoD, NASA, and aerospace customers with discriminating capabilities. We offer a creative, relaxed work environment focused on innovation, customer success, and professional growth.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment based on individual merit, skills, and experience without discrimination.