---
title: 'Sr. Manufacturing Engineer at LeoLabs, Inc.'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/sr-manufacturing-engineer-leolabs-inc-menlo-park-v9749nnmtvf8'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-09'
---

# Sr. Manufacturing Engineer at LeoLabs, Inc.

- **Company:** LeoLabs, Inc.
- **Location:** Menlo Park, CA
- **Posted:** 2026-07-08
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-09
- **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/leolabsinc/jobs/4309102009

## Job description

Why LeoLabs?

At LeoLabs, we’re building the living map of activity in space. Through our proprietary global radar network and AI-enabled analytics platform, we collect millions of measurements daily on more than 25,000 objects in low Earth orbit (LEO). Our radar-powered intelligence protects billions in assets, monitors adversarial behavior, and ensures safe operations for commercial and government missions.

We’re not just building technology, we are redefining global security, safety, and transparency in space. As orbital activity accelerates and threats grow more complex, LeoLabs is a trusted partner for Space Domain Awareness, Space Traffic Management, and Satellite Operations for top-tier space operators and allied defense organizations.

If you're looking to work on mission-critical challenges at the forefront of aerospace, national security, and AI, your impact starts here.

As a Senior Manufacturing Engineer, you will help bridge the gap between engineering and production, ensuring our hardware is designed for efficient, repeatable manufacturing. You will work closely with design engineers, supply chain, and contract manufacturers to develop production processes, improve manufacturability, and guide new products from prototype builds into production. This is a hands-on role for an engineer who enjoys solving practical problems and building manufacturing systems that scale.

You will support manufacturing across printed circuit board assemblies, electromechanical systems, and complex radar hardware while helping establish the processes, documentation, and workflows that enable reliable production. This is a full-time, onsite position based in Menlo Park, California.

You will be responsible for:

- Lead Design for Manufacturability (DFM) reviews throughout the hardware development lifecycle
- Develop manufacturing processes, work instructions, and assembly documentation for complex radar hardware
- Serve as the primary technical interface between Hardware Engineering and contract manufacturers
- Support prototype builds and guide products through New Product Introduction (NPI) into production
- Partner with engineering to improve manufacturability, serviceability, and production readiness of PCBAs and electromechanical assemblies
- Develop production tooling, fixtures, inspection methods, and manufacturing workflows
- Support root cause investigations and implement process improvements that improve quality, yield, and throughput
- Collaborate with Supply Chain to ensure manufacturing documentation, BOMs, and production releases are complete and accurate
- Drive continuous improvement across manufacturing processes, documentation, and factory readiness

## Qualifications

- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related technical discipline
- 7+ years of experience supporting the manufacture of complex electronic or electromechanical products
- Strong understanding of Design for Manufacturability (DFM) principles for PCBAs and mechanical assemblies
- Experience supporting New Product Introduction (NPI) from prototype through production
- Working knowledge of PCB fabrication, SMT assembly, panelization, IPC workmanship standards, and electronics manufacturing processes
- Experience creating manufacturing documentation, assembly instructions, and production workflows
- Familiarity with Arena or another PLM system, NetSuite or another ERP system, and SolidWorks
- Excellent communication skills with experience working across engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, and external suppliers
- Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. personnel security clearance

## Preferred Qualifications

- Experience supporting low- to medium-volume production of complex hardware systems
- Experience working directly with contract manufacturers and electronics suppliers
- Familiarity with PCB test strategies, fixture development, and manufacturing validation
- Experience with root cause analysis, process validation, and continuous improvement methodologies
- Experience supporting aerospace, defense, robotics, or other high-reliability hardware products
- Experience developing scalable manufacturing processes in a fast-paced engineering environment

Within 1 month, you’ll:

- Complete onboarding and become familiar with LeoLabs' products, manufacturing workflows, and hardware development process
- Learn our existing production processes, contract manufacturers, and documentation systems
- Begin supporting active prototype and production builds

Within 3 months, you’ll:

- Lead DFM reviews for active hardware programs
- Develop manufacturing documentation and assembly processes for new products
- Establish working relationships with our contract manufacturers and key suppliers

Within 6 months, you’ll:

- Drive multiple products through prototype builds and into production
- Improve manufacturing workflows, documentation, and production readiness across the Hardware Engineering organization
- Become the technical lead for manufacturing process development on new hardware programs

Within 12 months, you’ll:

- Lead manufacturing engineering activities across multiple radar development programs
- Deliver scalable production processes that improve quality, yield, and manufacturability
- Establish yourself as the technical authority on how LeoLabs designs hardware for efficient manufacturing and long-term production success

## Compensation

The base salary range for this position is $148,000 + bonus + stock options + benefits

Compensation Note: The salary range for this position is benchmarked based on the designated primary work location for the role. Final compensation may vary depending on the selected candidate's work location, applicable market data, experience, qualifications, and other job-related factors.

## Perks and Benefits

- Global workforce: flexible remote/hybrid opportunities
- Work on complex, meaningful missions with real-world impact
- Unlimited paid time off for most roles
- Competitive salary and equity packages
- Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage
- Access to the forefront of commercial space operations and defense innovation

ITAR Requirements

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. More information regarding ITAR can be found at DDTC’s website.

Vendor Notification

LeoLabs does not engage external staffing agencies or third-party recruiting firms for this role. Unsolicited candidate submissions will not be considered.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

## About LeoLabs, Inc.

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: LeoLabs provides persistent orbital intelligence for space domain awareness, space traffic management, and missile defense via a global, proliferated radar network and AI-powered analytics.
- **Entity Type**: Private, Venture-backed (latest round: Grant-II from SpaceWERX, total raised $115M)
- **Headquarters**: Menlo Park, California, United States
- **Founded**: 2016
- **Founders**: Daniel Ceperley (Founder & Chief Operating Officer), John Buonocore (Founder & Chief Technology Officer), Ramsey Price (Founder & Chief Engineer)

## Core Business
- **Primary industries**: Space domain awareness, space traffic management, missile defense, national security.
- **Target customers**: Military space commands, civil government agencies (NASA, Department of Commerce), and commercial satellite operators (B2B/B2G).
- **Mission/purpose statement**: “To safeguard our way of life on Earth with the living map of activity in space.”

## Products & Services
- **Space Domain Awareness (SDA)**: Real-time detection, tracking, characterization, and threat assessment of objects in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) – delivered via a cloud-based, AI-enabled platform.
- **Space Traffic Management (STM)**: Comprehensive data and alerts for collision avoidance, launch support, and maneuver detection.
- **Launch & Operations Support**: Post-launch communications support and monitoring to protect high-value assets.
- **Multi-Mission Radars**: A proliferated, rapidly deployable radar network (including fixed and mobile “Scout” class) that provides continuous, all-weather coverage.
- **Object Catalog**: The most comprehensive commercial catalog of objects in LEO (~25,000 resident space objects, tracking 99.3% of the DoD’s public catalog).

## Market Standing
- **Valuation**: Not publicly disclosed.
- **Key Metric**: Total raised – $115M (as of latest funding round).
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: SpaceWERX (U.S. Space Force), Alumni Ventures, STRATFI program, Insight Partners, Velvet Sea Ventures, and 23+ other investors.
- **Growth Signals**:
  - U.S. Government bookings grew over 180% from 2024 to 2025, with $29.4M in contract awards (as of September 2025).
  - First interagency contract between U.S. Department of Commerce and U.S. Space Force to license LeoLabs’ Object Catalog.
  - Selected for NASA Space Act Agreement and the TraCSS commercial collision avoidance pathfinder.
  - Awarded two SpaceWERX contracts to advance next-generation radars (Indo-Pacific UHF Seeker radar and Scout mobile radar software).

## Competitive Advantages
- **Proliferated, multi-mission radar network** providing persistent coverage of LEO that is resistant to denial or disruption.
- **AI-powered analytics platform** delivering actionable intelligence and real-time threat alerts.
- **Highest quality commercial object catalog** – tracks 99.96% of all satellites and 98.56% of debris in the DoD catalog.
- **Deep government relationships** and sole-source contracts, creating a high barrier to entry for competitors.
- **Leadership team** with extensive experience in space technology, astrodynamics, and global security.

## Strategic Focus
- **Proliferating radar coverage** globally (e.g., new UHF Seeker radar in the Indo-Pacific, Scout mobile radar).
- **Expanding interagency adoption** of its catalog for both civil safety (TraCSS) and military security missions.
- **Enhancing detection of emerging threats** such as hypersonic objects and activities in very low Earth orbit (VLEO).
- **Scaling commercial and international sales** with a Senior VP of International Sales already appointed.

## Why Work Here
- **Meaningful Mission**: The company’s purpose is to preserve U.S. and allied advantage in space and enable the space economy.
- **Culture Values** (stated): Innovation, Integrity, and Impact.
- **Benefits**: Health, Dental & Vision Plans; Health Savings Account; 401(k) with Employer Match; Life and AD&D Insurance; Voluntary Disability Insurance; Flexible Spending Account.
- **Work Environment**: Offices in Menlo Park, CA, plus team members worldwide. Remote/hybrid policy not explicitly stated; likely office-based with some flexibility for engineering roles.
- **Engineering Culture**: Described as “builders at heart” – transforming bold ideas into breakthrough capabilities, moving fast, and pushing boundaries.

## Sources
1. [leolabs.space](https://leolabs.space/about/)
2. [leolabs.space](https://leolabs.space/careers/)
3. [leolabs.space](https://leolabs.space/leadership/)
4. [cbinsights.com](https://www.cbinsights.com/company/leolabs)

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