Rainmaker is seeking a Senior Manufacturing Engineer to act as the critical link between Engineering and Production as the drone platform evolves. The role involves translating design revisions into actionable build and maintenance documentation, ensuring the production floor operates from the latest build standards. Responsibilities include coordinating engineering changes, drafting build instructions, developing maintenance procedures, liaising with production, supporting quality assurance, and managing documentation version control. The position is based in Salt Lake City, UT, with an onsite training period in El Segundo, CA through January 2027.

Responsibilities

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.

Requirements

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.
2+ years of Management experience
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.