Manufacturing Engineer

Quantum Fuel Systems / www.qtww.com

Reports to:  Director, Manufacturing Engineering

Location: Lake Forest, CA (onsite at company headquarters)

Employment type: Full-time

FLSA: Exempt

Pay Range: $90,000.00 - $115,000.00/year

Quantum Fuel Systems is engineering the future of alternative fuel solutions. For over 25 years, we've been at the forefront of clean energy innovation, designing, developing, and delivering industry-leading storage systems and transport trailers for compressed natural gas (CNG), renewable natural gas (RNG), and hydrogen.

Based in Lake Forest, California, we're driving clean energy forward by helping our partners meet ambitious net-zero targets with safe, reliable, and sustainable solutions. Our product line includes next-generation fuel storage systems for commercial vehicles and virtual pipeline trailers that offer industry-leading capacity with advanced composite technology.

We are seeking a Manufacturing Engineer to support the design, implementation, validation, and continuous improvement of manufacturing processes for composite components used in Quantum's fuel storage systems.

In this role, you will play a key part in developing and optimizing the manufacturing processes used to produce Quantum's advanced composite fuel storage products. Working cross-functionally with Production, Quality, and Engineering teams, you will help launch new processes, improve existing operations, solve manufacturing challenges, and drive continuous improvement initiatives that support quality, safety, cost, and delivery objectives.

This is a highly hands-on role, with approximately 80% of time spent on the production floor partnering with operators and supervisors to implement process improvements, troubleshoot manufacturing issues, and support operational excellence. The ideal candidate will have at least five years of manufacturing engineering experience, with plastics manufacturing experience strongly preferred.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:  

• Design, develop, integrate, troubleshoot, and improve production tooling and product testing equipment.
• Develop, implement, and maintain manufacturing processes using Lean Manufacturing principles and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Create and maintain manufacturing routings, visual work instructions (VIS), and related process documentation to ensure products are manufactured to specification.
• Support the disposition of nonconforming materials and participate in root cause investigations and corrective action activities.
• Collaborate with R&D Engineering and Quality Engineering to develop, validate, and document new manufacturing processes.
• Train production operators and supervisors on new products, process improvements, and manufacturing changes.
• Analyze manufacturing performance and identify opportunities to improve quality, productivity, throughput, cost, and on-time delivery.
• Develop and maintain Process Failure Mode and Effects Analyses (PFMEAs) and implement risk-reduction actions based on severity, occurrence, and detection criteria.
• Evaluate current and prospective suppliers' manufacturing capabilities to ensure components meet quality and performance requirements.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives that enhance operational efficiency, product quality, and manufacturing effectiveness.

Due to the hands-on nature of this role and the need for close collaboration with our production team, this position is 100% onsite at our Lake Forest, CA headquarters. The Manufacturing Engineer will work directly with manufacturing equipment, prototypes, and cross-functional teams on the production floor.

Requirements

Education and/or Experience:

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant manufacturing experience.
• 5+ years of manufacturing engineering experience in a production assembly and/or testing environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel.
• Experience implementing Lean Manufacturing principles and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
• Effective communication skills with the ability to collaborate and train employees across multiple functions.

Preferred:

• Plastics manufacturing and processing experience.
• Experience with rotational molding, particularly high-performance or thin-wall plastic products.
• Experience with data acquisition systems and PLC programming.
• Knowledge of QS9000 and/or IATF/TS 16949 quality standards.
• Experience with Siemens NX (Unigraphics), LabVIEW, CNC G-Code programming, JD Edwards, and Microsoft Visio.

Physical Job Requirements:   

The employee will spend a significant portion of their time on the production floor working directly with production personnel to develop, improve, and document manufacturing processes. While performing the duties of this position, the employee will regularly be required to stand for extended periods, as well as kneel and crouch while supporting manufacturing operations.

In the office environment, the employee is regularly required to use their hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard, mouse, telephone, and other standard office equipment, as well as communicate effectively through speaking and hearing. Specific vision abilities required for this role include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

The employee must be able to occasionally lift and move up to 40 pounds.

Work Authorization:

This position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without current or future employer sponsorship.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY & AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT

Quantum Fuel Systems is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and accessible workplace. We celebrate diversity and are dedicated to creating an environment where all employees can thrive.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, uniform service member and veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, age, protected medical condition, genetic information, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable state and local laws, Quantum Fuel Systems provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in all aspects of employment, including the application and interview process. If you require a reasonable accommodation to perform the essential functions of a job or to participate in the application process, please contact Human Resources at [email protected] so that we may engage in the interactive process to identify an appropriate accommodation.

We will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Ordinance and San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance where applicable.

Benefits

Benefits - What We Offer:

• Comprehensive Health Coverage – Choose from 2 HMO or 2 PPO medical plans, plus dental, vision, and life insurance
• Financial Benefits – 401(k) with company match; Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Paid Time Off – Vacation, sick leave, and company holidays