Overview
Aerojet Rocketdyne is a world-recognized aerospace and defense leader that provides propulsion systems and energetics to space and defense customers. Our Los Angeles, California, facility is the company’s headquarters for the Space Business Unit and specializes in the design, fabrication, assembly and testing of hardware for large and small liquid engines that support exploration missions as well as the defense of our nation and allies. The Space Shuttle Main Engine, which successfully powered 135 missions, as well as rocket engines for the Atlas, Delta, Saturn and Thor launch vehicles were all built at the company’s San Fernando Valley facility. In all, rocket engines that were built in the LA area have successfully launched more than 370 astronauts into space and powered more than 2,100 missions. Visit our website at www.rocket.com for more information on how our employees Power the Future.
We are seeking an experienced engineer to join us as our second shift Process Engineer for Thermal Processing (Heat Treating). This position is at our Space Systems headquarters in Canoga Park, CA.
Responsible for providing process engineering support for heat treating, brazing, HIP bonding, and cryogenic assembly of developmental and production Liquid rocket motor programs through the application of established manufacturing engineering procedures:
- Prepare and maintain manufacturing thermal processing plans. Create thermal processing parameters to ensure processes meet specification and drawing requirements.
- Provide training and guidance to thermal processing shop personnel in order to meet requirements and specifications
- Assist in developing and implementing processing improvements using process variation management/statistical process control tools.
- Lead and investigate non-conformance issues using relentless root cause analysis tools.
- Working knowledge of engineering drawings, specifications, blueprints, production plans and/or work instructions.
- Working knowledge of furnaces and equipment, gasses, material properties of exotic alloys, shop procedures and practices, principals and properties.
What we can offer you:
Inspiring Company Culture – Our people support each other and work together to leave an indelible impact on our nation’s aerospace and defense legacy. Read more about our culture: Careers Aerojet Rocketdyne
Rest and Relaxation – 3 weeks of vacation to start plus separate sick allowance. 9/80 schedule providing for longer weekends. Annual week-long holiday company closure, plus company paid holidays.
Comprehensive Health Benefits – Medical, Dental, Vision, Health Savings Accounts, and Wellness
Prepare for the Future – 401(k) with company match
Professional Development – Tuition assistance program, Employee recognition program, and Leadership development program
Employee Resource Groups – Local and Enterprise employee-led volunteer groups to create community, awareness, impact, and to support a culture where everyone belongs.
This current opening may be filled at this level as posted or at one level higher.
Essential Job Functions (Including % of Time for Each)
40% – Review established rocket motor thermal processing instructions to ensure compliance to specification, monitor furnace activities for compliance with established safe process instructions and process health. Originate, prepare, and maintain detailed documentation (Standard Operating Procedures) for the safe manufacture of rocket motors and components. Develop and document best practices to support production. Monitor key process outputs to look for trends and process / furnace health. Oversee and troubleshoot critical key process inputs to ensure best practices are being followed.
30% – Coordinate technical support to ensure processes meet or exceed drawing and specification requirements. Maintaining tooling and work center readiness (calibration and preventative maintenance plans). Lead cross-functional team members to interpret hardware processing requirements. Coach and mentor heat treat mechanics to ensure processes and instructions are understood.
25% – Identify, report, and eliminate unsafe acts and unsafe conditions within the work centers. Lead relentless root cause analysis investigations while striving for mistake-proof Level 1 corrective and preventive actions.
5% – Perform other duties as assigned
Requirements
Requires a Bachelor’s degree in a related engineering/technical discipline and five (5) years related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and heat treat experience (9) years. Direct experience with heat treating, brazing, annealing, stress relieving, and HIP bonding aerospace components and materials is required. Direct experience and an understanding of atmospheric furnaces and vacuum furnaces is required.
May be required to obtain and maintain a U.S. Security Clearance at the appropriate level. Requires U.S. Citizenship. Must also be able to satisfy federal government requirements for access to government information, and having dual citizenship may preclude you from being able to meet this requirement.
Additional Preferred Experiences:
- HIP furnace knowledge
- Experience working with braze preform wire, foil, and paste.
- Working knowledge of gasses used during heat treat processes (argon and hydrogen)
- Experience with cryogenic operations
- Previous experience with resistance welding.
- Cranes and rigging experience on large structures and hardware.
- Strong analytical and communication skills (written and oral) are required, along with the ability to lead teams and work in a collaborative team environment.
- Experience using appropriate PPE.
- Coach and mentoring
Work Environment/Physical Requirements:
The work environment may require a combination of indoor and outdoor activity (hot, cold, wet, humid conditions) with a varied amount of walking, standing, sitting, climbing (i.e. ladders, stair, scaffolding, ramps), balance (maintaining body equilibrium to prevent falling when walking, standing, or crouching on narrow, slippery, or erratically moving surfaces), bending, reaching, handling/fingering (seizing, holding, grasping, turning picking, pinching), stooping, kneeling, crouching and ability to lift/carry/push/pull up to 50 pounds. While performing the duties of this job, employees may work around variable noise levels. May require the use of personal protective equipment such as safety glasses, safety shoes, and shop coat. May also be required to work in a standard office setting and to use standard office equipment, including a computer.
Pay range for this position:
$85,000. – $115,000.
Note about pay range:
Pay range for this job level is a general guideline only for California and/or Washington State and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.