Engineering Site Manager

Job Title: Engineering Site Manager

Job Description

The Engineering Site Manager leads the Mukilteo engineering and manufacturing site, overseeing programs, operations, and overall organizational performance. This role strengthens cross-functional collaboration, drives operational excellence, and supports growth initiatives while ensuring reliable, efficient, and profitable execution across a diverse portfolio of aerospace and defense projects. The position combines strategic leadership with hands-on operational management to deliver high-quality, on-time products in a high-precision, regulated environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead all site operations to consistently deliver on-time, zero-defect products with strong margins and a sustained, predictable production flow.

• Implement standardized processes, lean manufacturing practices, and key performance indicators (KPIs) to improve efficiency, reduce variation, and enhance overall operational excellence.

• Optimize facility utilization, product flow, and enterprise resource planning (ERP) system performance to improve planning accuracy, operational visibility, and throughput.

• Establish, monitor, and manage operational metrics for machine utilization, labor productivity, profitability, and overall site health, and act on insights to drive continuous improvement.

• Drive organizational change by communicating clearly, fostering collaboration, and promoting the adoption of best practices across engineering, manufacturing, and support functions.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with customers and suppliers through proactive communication, timely issue resolution, and a focus on long-term partnership.

• Partner with Human Resources to hire, develop, and retain skilled personnel, supporting a robust and sustainable talent pipeline for the site.

• Lead growth initiatives by developing sales and business development pipelines, supporting customer expansion, and enabling new program opportunities in aerospace and defense.

• Oversee complex engineering and manufacturing operations in a high-precision, regulated environment, ensuring compliance with industry standards and customer requirements.

• Manage profit and loss (P&L) performance for the site, aligning operational decisions with financial goals and long-term strategic objectives.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related technical field.

• 15 or more years of experience in midsize to large aerospace and defense engineering or manufacturing organizations.

• Demonstrated ability to drive and sustain operational growth in complex engineering and manufacturing environments.

• Expertise with AS9100 compliance and quality management in aerospace and defense settings.

• Experience with lean manufacturing methodologies such as Lean Six Sigma or Kaizen, including implementation and sustainment of continuous improvement initiatives.

• Hands-on experience with ERP systems, including integration, implementation, and optimization to support operations and planning.

• Profit and loss (P&L) management experience, with the ability to align operational decisions to financial performance targets.

• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and managing complex operations in high-precision, regulated environments.

• Strong engineering and engineering management background, with the ability to oversee defense engineering programs and operational growth.

• Proven ability to implement standardized processes, KPIs, and operational metrics to improve efficiency and site performance.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Masters degree, preferably in engineering, business, or a related field.

• background in defense engineering and familiarity with the needs and expectations of aerospace and defense customers.

• Experience supporting sales and business development activities, including building pipelines and supporting program expansions.

• Demonstrated ability to build strong relationships with customers and suppliers through proactive communication and effective issue resolution.

• Experience optimizing complex operations that span engineering, production, test, and R&D environments.

• Strong change management skills, with the ability to lead organizational transformation and foster a culture of continuous improvement.

• Ability to collaborate effectively with Human Resources and other corporate functions to support talent development and retention.

Work Environment

This is an on-site role based at the Mukilteo facility, working across office, production, test, and research and development environments. The site supports high-precision aerospace and defense engineering and manufacturing operations, including rapid design, development, and production of critical next-generation system solutions such as payload and protection systems, aero/hydrodynamic interstage systems, and propulsion and launch systems. The work environment integrates engineering offices with active manufacturing and testing areas, requiring frequent collaboration with cross-functional teams and direct engagement with equipment, processes, and ERP systems. The schedule centers on standard on-site working hours, with flexibility as needed to support production flow, testing activities, and program milestones in a fast-paced, growth-oriented setting.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Mukilteo, WA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $190000.00 - $230000.00/yr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Medical, dental, and vision insurance 401(k) with company match Paid time off Health Savings Account (HSA) with company contribution Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) Companypaid life and AD&D insurance Short and longterm disability coverage Tuition reimbursement

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Mukilteo,WA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 19, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [email protected] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.