Manufacturing Engineer, Manufacturing Operations Lead

This full-time, permanent role leads manufacturing work for satellite components and complete spacecraft. The engineer performs hands-on assembly, environmental testing such as vibration and thermal-vacuum tests, and functional testing. The position is not limited to giving instructions or supervising; it requires active participation in assembly and inspection work while coordinating mechanical, electrical, and harness activities across the manufacturing site.

The role connects design and manufacturing from the early development stage. It includes joining design reviews for new spacecraft types such as Aquila and Mira, understanding design intent, identifying manufacturing risks early, and providing feedback from the manufacturing perspective during flight-model production. When issues arise during the assembly, integration, and test phase, the engineer separates the problem, investigates the cause, and coordinates with design and quality teams.

The engineer gives external partner companies specific work instructions, technical guidance, and quality checks. The role also converts work into documented procedures that allow contractors to operate independently. Across multiple projects, the engineer helps document manufacturing knowledge and cautions, standardize processes, and reduce dependence on individual workers. Responsibilities include launch-site work, final testing, support for rocket integration, and preparation of manufacturing processes and the work environment for the transition to mass production.

Required qualifications include at least three years of practical experience assembling and verifying mechatronics hardware in at least two of the following areas: mechanical, electrical, and harness work. Candidates must be able to understand 2D and 3D CAD drawings, circuit diagrams, and wiring diagrams, and logically investigate and analyze the causes of failures. Experience instructing external partner companies, providing technical guidance, managing quality, and preparing work procedures or technical documents is required. The role calls for a self-starter who identifies issues, involves relevant stakeholders, works across design, manufacturing, and procurement, and prioritizes team collaboration over individual work.

Experience with AIT for satellites, aircraft, or precision equipment; cross-domain product understanding; mass-production launches or production engineering; environmental testing such as vibration, temperature cycling, and thermal vacuum; and rocket launch-site operations is welcomed. Additional skills mentioned are design using SolidWorks or similar 3D CAD software, PCB design using Altium or similar tools, and knowledge of PLM, ERP, or MES systems. English communication without resistance is also listed as a welcomed qualification.

The workplace is in Nihonbashi-Honcho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo. Working hours use a discretionary labor system, and a work-from-home system is available. The salary is TBD and will be decided through discussions at hiring based on experience and skills. Holidays include two days off per week, national holidays, annual paid leave, congratulatory and bereavement leave, and fifth-year bonus leave. Benefits include actual-cost commuting reimbursement, Japanese classes for foreign employees, health insurance, national pension, employment insurance, and workers’ compensation insurance. The probationary period is three months, and smoking is prohibited on site.