Manufacturing Engineer - Equipment Engineering

Equipment Engineer in Palo Alto, CAFull-Time Permanent | Onsite | $80K to $110K

Do you enjoy troubleshooting real equipment instead of spending all day behind a desk?

We're looking for an (Electrical Engineer) Equipment Engineer who can bridge the gap between engineering and manufacturing; someone with strong electrical fundamentals who enjoys solving complex hardware problems, improving production equipment, and leading technical projects from concept through commissioning. You'll work on high-voltage power systems, test equipment, controls, instrumentation, and legacy production infrastructure that supports mission-critical RF and microwave products used around the world while also helping us prepare for the next gen systems we're bringing on to move to the future.

If you thrive in hands-on environments, enjoy working alongside technicians, and want to modernize equipment that directly impacts production performance, we'd like to talk with you.

About Microwave Power Products (MPP)

At Microwave Power Products (MPP), we design and manufacture advanced RF and microwave technologies used in defense, aerospace, medical, industrial, and scientific applications worldwide. Our products support some of the most demanding environments and missions on the planet. We combine decades of engineering expertise with a culture focused on technical excellence, continuous improvement, and practical problem solving. We became part of the TransDigm Group in 2024.

What You'll Do

Lead Equipment Reliability and Troubleshooting

Diagnose and resolve electrical, controls, instrumentation, and system-level equipment issues

Troubleshoot production and test equipment at both the circuit and system level

Perform root-cause analysis on equipment failures and implement corrective actions

Support technicians and production teams during critical equipment issues

Modernize and Improve Equipment

Lead upgrades to aging production and test systems

Identify opportunities to improve reliability, safety, throughput, and maintainability

Develop technical requirements and specifications for replacement equipment

Support commissioning, acceptance testing, and implementation of new systems

Drive Technical Projects

Manage equipment-related projects from concept through deployment

Collaborate with internal stakeholders, technicians, and external vendors

Review vendor proposals for technical fit, performance, safety, and long-term supportability

Support capital equipment planning and justification activities

Preserve and Transfer Technical Knowledge

Document legacy equipment and operating methods

Develop troubleshooting guides, procedures, and training materials

Mentor technicians and help build organizational technical capability

Capture critical knowledge before legacy systems and expertise are lost

What You'll Work On

Examples of systems supported by this role include:

High-voltage power supplies

Pulse modulators

PFN systems

Grid pulse systems

Mod-anode systems

Crowbar protection circuits

Interlock and safety systems

PLCs and industrial controls

Instrumentation and data acquisition systems

RF test equipment

Klystron test systems

Traveling Wave Tube (TWT) support equipment

Magnetron support equipment

Legacy production and test infrastructure

You do not need prior experience with every system listed above. Strong electrical engineering fundamentals and the ability to learn complex equipment are more important.

What Makes You Successful

You are someone who:

Enjoys solving real-world hardware problems

Has strong electrical engineering fundamentals

Is comfortable working directly on equipment in a manufacturing environment

Can troubleshoot logically under production pressure

Communicates effectively with technicians, engineers, and leadership

Balances immediate production needs with long-term reliability improvements

Can turn technical challenges into practical action plans

Is curious, resourceful, and willing to learn complex legacy systems

Preferred Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Electrical Engineering Technology, or a related field

Experience troubleshooting electrical, electronic, or industrial equipment

Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics and technical documentation

Experience with analog, digital, and power circuits

Experience using electrical test equipment such as oscilloscopes, current probes, differential probes, data acquisition systems, or similar tools

Experience supporting manufacturing, production, laboratory, test, or industrial environments

Strong problem-solving and root-cause analysis skills

Experience with high-voltage systems

Experience with power electronics, pulse power, or industrial controls

Experience with PLCs, sensors, relays, and interlock systems

Experience developing test procedures and commissioning plans

Experience leading equipment upgrade or capital equipment projects

Experience working with RF, microwave, vacuum electronics, or related technologies

Experience evaluating vendor proposals and equipment specifications

This position may involve access to information subject to U.S. export control laws (ITAR/EAR). Access to certain controlled information may be limited to individuals who qualify as U.S. persons (generally U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and certain protected individuals). Non-U.S. persons may still apply; however to be eligible for the role, access to controlled information may require U.S. government authorization.

Applicants must be able to comply with applicable export control requirements. For security clearance position, the candidate must be a US citizen with the ability to obtain a U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Security Clearance as required, holding a security clearance is a plus.

Why Engineers Join MPP

Work on technically challenging equipment that directly impacts production

Solve complex electrical and system-level problems

Lead meaningful modernization projects

Gain exposure to specialized RF and microwave technologies

Work alongside highly skilled engineers and technicians

Help preserve and advance critical technologies with global impact

If you're the type of engineer who would rather grab a scope, walk onto the production floor, and solve the problem firsthand than spend your entire day in meetings, we'd like to hear from you.

What We Offer

Salary range: $75,000 to $95,000 annually depending on experience, with candidates possessing 1-2 years of applicable hands-on experience generally aligning toward the higher end of the range.

Be part of a high-impact engineering team solving real-world technical challenges

Grow into a Senior Engineer role with increasing leadership and ownership

Work onsite in a collaborative lab and manufacturing environment where your work directly impacts production

Contribute to the future of defense and aerospace technology

Well-structured benefits package including:

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage

Generous 401(k) match

Commuter benefits within the Stanford Research Park

Complimentary EV charging

Paid time off and holidays

Training and opportunities for skill development and growth

Our Workplace Commitment

We value the unique and diverse skills, qualities, and backgrounds that each employee brings to MPP, and we respect each employee as an integral member of our growing team. MPP is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all current and prospective employees, as well as to promoting a culture of inclusion and respect for everyone. We celebrate the innovation that diversity creates in the work environment, and we recognize that each employee brings their own unique capabilities, experiences, and perspectives to the organization. It is this variety that adds value to our teams, as well as to our stakeholders. We welcome and encourage applicants to reach their full potential with us.

MPP is proud to be an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, sexual stereotypes, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability or other applicable legally protected characteristics.