Dewar Design and Manufacturing Manager

Safran DSI Business Unit: Attollo Engineering

ABOUT OUR MISSION:

Join the forefront of innovation and make an impact at Safran Defense & Space, Inc.!

Safran Defense & Space Inc. (Safran DSI), headquartered in Arlington, Va., is a leading U.S. aerospace company dedicated to supporting national defense and space missions. As a trusted partner to the U.S. armed forces, government agencies, and commercial sectors, Safran DSI delivers advanced technology solutions through its specialized business units: Assured PNT, Attollo Engineering, Geospatial AI, Optronics, Space Solutions, and Testing & Telemetry.

Attollo Engineering is a designer and manufacturer of cutting-edge infrared cameras and laser sensor systems for defense and industrial applications. Leveraging extensive expertise in the electro-optical market, systems design, and packaging, Attollo delivers superior solutions for system integrators, original equipment manufacturers, and custom applications. Their commitment to quality engineering empowers Safran DSI to provide innovative and reliable technology to its partners.

If you’re ready to join our mission and serve those who serve, Safran DSI is the perfect place for you to take your career to the next level. Make a real difference and be part of something extraordinary. Apply now and help us build the future of defense and space.

POSITION PROFILE:

Attollo Engineering is seeking a Dewar Design and Manufacturing Manager to lead the development of manufacturing processes for new integrated dewar and cooler assemblies (IDCAs). This position bridges product engineering and manufacturing by developing, validating, documenting, and transitioning new manufacturing processes into production. The Process Development Engineer will work closely with design engineers, technicians, manufacturing personnel, and suppliers to ensure new dewar products can be manufactured safely, repeatably, and efficiently while meeting quality, cost, and schedule objectives.

The ideal candidate enjoys working hands-on in the laboratory and manufacturing environment and is comfortable developing new assembly methods, tooling, fixtures, and qualification processes.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead dewar design and manufacturing process development, including new designs, design improvements, cost reductions, and production readiness.
• Develop and optimize manufacturing processes from prototype through production, focusing on yield, repeatability, throughput, and cost.
• Lead the design and implementation of production tooling, fixtures, and assembly aids using SolidWorks and coordinate fabrication with internal and external resources.
• Own New Product Introduction (NPI) and manufacturing readiness activities, including prototype builds, first articles, DFM, risk identification, and transition to production.
• Develop and execute process qualification and validation plans, including DOE, process capability, and environmental/qualification testing as appropriate.
• Establish and maintain manufacturing documentation, including work instructions, process flows, assembly and inspection procedures, test procedures, and tooling documentation.
• Provide hands-on manufacturing support and troubleshooting, leading root cause investigations, corrective actions, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Partner cross-functionally with Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Facilities, and external vendors to resolve issues and improve manufacturability.
• Drive improvements in cycle time, manufacturing variability, ergonomics, quality, and overall production efficiency.
• Participate in special projects as assigned

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manage mechanical engineers in dewar development area
• Provides technical leadership to Manufacturing Engineering Technicians and production technicians during process development activities

WHAT YOU’LL NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or physics
• 5+ years of experience working with dewars
• Experience taking products from prototype through production
• Strong understanding of Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA)
• Expereince with SolidWorks, Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook)
• Experience developing production tooling and fixtures
• Experience writing manufacturing documentation and work instructions
• Experience with GD&T and tolerance stack-up analysis
• Strong understanding of precision assembly techniques
• Experience working in cleanroom or controlled manufacturing environments preferred
• Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills
• Excellent communication and project management skills
• Requires U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Resident Status required.

IDEALLY, YOU’LL ALSO HAVE:

• Experience with one or more of the following: Cryogenic systems, Vacuum systems, Integrated Dewar Cooler Assemblies (IDCAs), Hermetic packaging, Glass-to-metal seals, Laser welding, Resistance welding, Wire bonding, Die attach, Helium leak testing, Residual Gas Analysis (RGA), Optical alignment. Design of Experiments (DOE, Statistical Process Control (SPC),
• Expereince with SolidWorks PDM, Minitab, MATLAB or Python, Microsoft Project, ERP/MRP systems, CAD/CAM software, Statistical analysis software
• Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA)
• Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma
• Process validation
• Automation of precision assembly processes
• Familiarity with tooling design, modification, or procurement processes
• Experience working with engineering and cross-functional teams
• Experience in cleanrooms or controlled manufacturing environments
• Experience working in an ITAR environment

SALARY RANGE: $200,000-$253,000 annual salary, plus participation in individual performance bonus plan.

TRAVEL: Minimal travel may be required, including outside the local area and overnight.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the role.

EOE/AA/M/F/Vets – US Protected Individual status required (US citizen, lawful permanent resident, asylee, refugee or temporary resident (as defined at 8 USC 1160(a).