Material Handling Engineer

Position Overview

AST SpaceMobile is seeking a Material Handling Engineer to design, implement, optimize, and continuously improve material flow systems that support satellite manufacturing operations. This position is responsible for developing scalable material handling processes, warehouse layouts, replenishment systems, inventory strategies, and storage solutions that ensure materials are available at the point of use while supporting production schedules, inventory accuracy, and operational efficiency. The Material Handling Engineer works closely with Production Control, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Warehouse Operations, Planning, Procurement, Quality, and Engineering teams to ensure material flow supports current and future production requirements.

What You'll Do:

Material Flow & Layout Engineering

• Design end-to-end material flow processes from supplier receipt through warehouse storage, supermarkets, kitting operations, and point-of-use delivery.
• Develop and optimize line-side storage, supermarket layouts, warehouse flow paths, and material presentation methods.
• Analyze congestion points, bottlenecks, travel distances, and takt-time alignment to improve production flow.
• Develop standard work and material handling processes that support manufacturing efficiency.
• Support facility layout changes, production line expansions, and new manufacturing programs.
• Inventory & Replenishment Engineering
• Design and maintain Min-Max, Kanban, pull systems, and replenishment methodologies.
• Develop safety stock strategies based on consumption, variability, supplier lead times, and production requirements.
• Establish point-of-use replenishment systems aligned with production schedules.
• Monitor inventory performance and recommend improvements that balance material availability with inventory investment.
• Support inventory optimization initiatives across manufacturing and warehouse operations.

Packaging & Storage Engineering

• Design standard packaging solutions that optimize product protection, storage density, ergonomics, and transportation efficiency.
• Evaluate and implement storage methods including racking systems, flow racks, bins, kitting solutions, and specialty storage systems.
• Develop warehouse location standards and storage methodologies.
• Improve warehouse space utilization while maintaining inventory accessibility and traceability.
• Support handling and storage requirements for aerospace components and materials.

Capacity & Resource Planning

• Perform material handling capacity analysis involving labor, equipment, storage space, and material movement requirements.
• Determine sizing requirements for supermarkets, warehouses, staging areas, and material routes.
• Support production ramp-ups, rate increases, and new product introductions.
• Develop equipment, labor, and storage forecasts based on production demand.
• Identify future capacity constraints and recommend corrective actions.

Systems & Data Integration

• Align ERP/MRP system signals with physical material flow processes.
• Develop barcode, labeling, traceability, and inventory visibility standards.
• Support inventory transaction accuracy and material tracking throughout manufacturing operations.
• Develop visual management systems that support Production Control decision-making.
• Partner with IT and business systems teams to improve material flow visibility and reporting capabilities.

Problem Solving & Continuous Improvement

• Lead root cause analysis activities related to material shortages, inventory discrepancies, mispicks, and material flow interruptions.
• Apply Lean Manufacturing and Lean Material Handling principles to reduce waste and improve operational efficiency.
• Develop standard work and best practices supporting inventory control and material movement.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives related to warehouse operations and material flow.
• Partner with Production Control to proactively prevent production disruptions rather than react to them.
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) supporting material availability, inventory accuracy, replenishment effectiveness, and warehouse performance.

What You Bring:

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Logistics Engineering, Operations Management, or a related field.
• Minimum of three (3) years of experience in manufacturing, material handling, warehouse operations, industrial engineering, production control, supply chain, or logistics.
• Experience designing material flow systems in manufacturing environments.
• Knowledge of warehouse operations, inventory management, replenishment systems, and production support processes.
• Experience utilizing ERP, MRP, inventory management, and manufacturing systems.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and data analysis tools.
• Ability to communicate effectively with employees at all levels of the organization.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Aerospace, automotive, electronics, semiconductor, or advanced manufacturing experience.
• Experience implementing Kanban, pull systems, supermarkets, and Lean material flow methodologies.
• Experience with NetSuite, SAP, Oracle, Epicor, Solumina, or similar ERP systems.
• Knowledge of warehouse design, inventory optimization, and logistics engineering.
• Experience with AutoCAD, Power BI, Tableau, Visio, or similar visualization tools.
• APICS, Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or related certifications.
• Experience supporting high-volume manufacturing operations.

Physical Requirements & Work Environment:

• Ability to work in manufacturing, warehouse, and office environments.
• Ability to stand, walk, and move throughout production and warehouse facilities for extended periods.
• Ability to inspect material flow processes, warehouse layouts, storage systems, and production operations.
• Ability to work in, on, around, and in proximity to manufacturing equipment, warehouse operations, and material handling systems.
• Ability to occasionally lift, push, pull, and/or carry items weighing up to 25 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Ability to communicate effectively, including talking and hearing.
• Ability to visually inspect material flow operations, warehouse layouts, inventory systems, and production processes.
• Ability to work in environments that may include noise, dust, airborne particles, and varying temperatures.
• Ability to follow all company safety procedures and wear required personal protective equipment (PPE).

This job description may not be inclusive to the duties and responsibilities listed. Additional tasks may be assigned to the employee from time to time or the scope of the job may change as needed by business demands.