L3Harris is dedicated to recruiting and developing high-performing talent who are passionate about what they do. Our employees are unified in a shared dedication to our customers’ mission and quest for professional growth. L3Harris provides an inclusive, engaging environment designed to empower employees and promote work-life success. Fundamental to our culture is an unwavering focus on values, dedication to our communities, and commitment to excellence in everything we do.
L3Harris is the Trusted Disruptor in defense tech. With customers’ mission-critical needs always in mind, our employees deliver end-to-end technology solutions connecting the space, air, land, sea and cyber domains in the interest of national security.
Job Title: Material Process Engineer
Job Code: 35996
Job Location: On-site at our Canoga Park, CA facility
Job Schedule: 9/80 Employees work 9 out of every 14 days – totaling 80 hours worked – and have every other Friday off
Job Description:
We are seeking a talented Material Process Engineer to join our Missile Solutions team at our Canoga Park facility. In this role, you'll support critical aerospace and defense programs, including the RS-25 rocket engine and advanced missile systems that protect national security. You'll develop and optimize manufacturing processes for mission-critical components, working alongside industry-leading engineers in a dynamic environment where your expertise directly impacts product quality and mission success. If you're passionate about aerospace and defense innovation and want to make a meaningful contribution to programs that matter, we want to hear from you—apply today to join our team!
Essential Functions:
- Develop, qualify, and optimize manufacturing processes for aerospace and defense metallic materials including titanium alloys, nickel-based superalloys, stainless steels, high-strength steels, and aluminum alloys used in propulsion and missile system components
- Support production operations by troubleshooting process issues, implementing corrective actions, and driving continuous improvement initiatives
- Collaborate with design engineering, quality, and manufacturing teams to ensure producibility and cost-effectiveness across multiple defense programs
- Conduct failure analysis and root cause investigations on non-conforming materials and processes
- Create and maintain process specifications, work instructions, and manufacturing documentation in compliance with program requirements
- Interface with suppliers to conduct engineering process approvals and support resolution of hardware quality issues
- Lead process validation activities and process capability studies to ensure manufacturing readiness
- Support new product introduction (NPI) activities from design review through production release
- Travel up to 25% to supplier facilities and other company locations as required
Basic Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s Degree and minimum 6 years of prior relevant engineering experience. Graduate Degree and a minimum of 4 years of prior related engineering experience. In lieu of a degree, minimum of 10 years of prior related engineering experience.
Preferred Additional Skills:
- 3-7 years of experience in materials engineering or manufacturing process engineering within aerospace, defense, or related high-reliability industries
- Bachelor's degree in Materials Science, Metallurgical Engineering, or related engineering discipline
- Understanding and demonstrated experience of special processes (welding, heat treat, plating, shot peening, etc.) and their qualification requirements
- Familiar with non-destructive testing (NDT) methods (ultrasonic, radiographic, penetrant, magnetic particle)
- Knowledge of aerospace materials including titanium alloys, nickel-based superalloys, stainless steels, high-strength steels, and aluminum alloy
- Experience with additive manufacturing (3D printing) of metal components
- Experience with metallurgical testing and characterization techniques
- Knowledge of material specifications and standards (AMS, ASTM, MIL-SPEC)
- Experience with metallography and microstructural analysis
- Familiarity with material traceability and certification requirements
- Experience with materials selection and design for manufacturability (DFM)
- Knowledge of rocket engine, turbomachinery, or missile system manufacturing processes
- Knowledge of corrosion mechanisms and prevention methods in aerospace applications
- Experience with process FMEA (Failure Modes and Effects Analysis)
- Familiarity with statistical process control (SPC) and Six Sigma methodologies
- Experience with Microsoft Project or other project management software
- Familiarity with AS9100, NADCAP, or other aerospace quality management systems
- Active Secret or Top Secret security clearance
In compliance with pay transparency requirements, the salary range for this role in California is $102,000 - $189,000. This is not a guarantee of compensation or salary, as final