Senior Manufacturing Engineer
El Segundo, CA, USA
USD 120k-150k / year + Equity
Rainmaker is pioneering a modern cloud seeding system to solve water scarcity and inclement weather problems. We develop and incorporate radar validation, weather-resistant UAS, numerical weather modeling, and sustainable cloud seeds into an effective precipitation enhancement solution.
We're looking for a Senior Manufacturing Engineer to serve as the critical link between Engineering and Production as our drone platform evolves. You'll own the process of translating design revisions into actionable build and maintenance documentation, and ensure the production floor is always working from the latest, most accurate build standards.
What You'll Do
Engineering Coordination: Partner closely with Engineering to understand, plan, and roll out design revisions and changes to the drone platform.
Build Documentation: Draft clear, precise build instructions for new revisions and engineering changes, ensuring technicians can execute builds consistently and correctly.
Maintenance Documentation: Develop and maintain maintenance procedures for drone systems, supporting reliability and serviceability throughout the product lifecycle.
Production Liaison: Coordinate with the production team to communicate changes to build processes, ensuring smooth implementation on the floor with minimal disruption to throughput or quality.
Build out quality assurance processes
Support root-cause investigations and process improvements tied to engineering changes.
Maintain version control and traceability of build/maintenance documentation as revisions are released.
Support training of production staff on new or updated build processes as needed.
Work with procurement to ensure purchasing happens in a timely manner
identify improvements in equipment, jigs, or assembly workflows, general shop management.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience).
Well versed with PCB manufacturing processes and quality standards, IPC class 2 and class 3.
Experience with CAD tools, PLM/ERP systems, and documentation platforms.
Well versed with manufacturing processes like fabrication, machining, anodizing, etc
5+ years of industry experience in manufacturing engineering, ideally within aerospace, robotics, drones, or another complex hardware environment.
Comfortable working across multiple software systems and platforms to manage documentation, revisions, and production data (PLM/ERP, file management systems, internal tools).
Experience or familiarity using AI coding/prompt-based tools (e.g., Codex, ChatGPT, Copilot) to support technical documentation, scripting, or process automation — including writing clear, effective prompts to get useful output.
Proven experience drafting technical build instructions, work instructions, or maintenance procedures.
Strong cross-functional communication skills — comfortable working between Engineering and Production teams.
Experience managing engineering change orders (ECOs) or similar revision-control processes.
Strong attention to detail and ability to translate technical designs into clear, actionable instructions for production technicians.
Rainmaker is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Rainmaker is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
Rainmaker participates in E-Verify. To learn more, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit E-Verify.gov.
120000 - 150000 USD a year
Benefits:
- Significant stock options with high potential upside as an early-stage company
- 401(k) with employer matching
- Full health coverage (medical, dental, and vision insurance)
- Relocation assistance provided (if applicable)
- Unlimited PTO
- Paid parental leave for both parents
- Lunch provided when working in-office and a fully stocked kitchenette
- Free EV charging at the HQ