Job Description

Summary:
PennAero is hiring a Senior Cost Engineer at our Briles Aerospace Company in Gardena, CA. Briles Aerospace is a certified manufacturer of high-strength aerospace fasteners with decades of industry experience. Our team brings deep technical knowledge and advanced manufacturing techniques to every project, producing precision components that meet exacting aerospace specifications.
About PennAero:
PennAero is a leading manufacturer of highly engineered fasteners and specialized components for critical aerospace, defense, space, and advanced energy applications. We partner with customers to solve their most complex challenges, bringing technical depth and disciplined, agile execution when it matters most. Experience guides our growth—strengthening capabilities and expanding our global platform as markets evolve. To learn more about PennAero's capabilities and commitment to aerospace excellence, visit https://pennaero.com


We are seeking a highly experienced Senior Principal Engineer to support aerospace manufacturing operations. This role is responsible for developing and optimizing manufacturing methods while establishing, validating, and controlling product and process cost. The ideal candidate brings deep hands-on aerospace experience, strong cost-setting capabilities, and the ability to influence decisions across Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, and Finance.
Key Responsibilities:
Develop, document, and maintain manufacturing methods, process flows, routings, and work instructions
Analyze existing processes to improve efficiency, quality, yield, and cycle time
Support new product introduction (NPI), including process definition and manufacturability reviews
Lead continuous improvement initiatives using Lean, Six Sigma, or similar methodologies
Provide technical support to Production, Quality, and Engineering teams during troubleshooting and process changes
Establish and validate standard costs, including labor, overhead, material, and processing
Develop cost models and cost estimates for new and existing products
Perform cost roll-ups, variance analysis, and cost reduction opportunities
Support pricing, quoting, margin analysis, and make/buy decisions
Partner with Supply Chain and Manufacturing to identify cost savings and productivity improvements
Support audits, should-cost analysis, and customer cost reviews as needed
Serve as a senior technical authority and advisor across Engineering and Operations
Work closely with Design Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Finance, and Supply Chain
Provide data-driven recommendations to leadership related to process and cost decisions
Support DFMEA/PFMEA, risk assessments, and capacity planning activities