alt Hacker NewsNo, an early, low-risk version of MCAS was proposed and given type approval by FAA. Then the MCAS design was changed iteratively and continuously without prompting another type approval process. Thenceforth, Boeing's ODA self-certification process was the only statutorily required step that could have caught that the post-type approval changes actually increased the risk significantly.
You should read the OIG report. It actually discusses all of this. It is absolutely possible an FAA cert would've missed the MCAS issue as well, but as OIG points out, one variable was significant commercial pressure on Boeing's ODA to approve the (iterated-since-type-approved)-MCAS. Presumably FAA staff would be less susceptible to this type of commercial pressure.
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Now this comment is a great answer to the "why" up above! As opposed to implying the question itself is stupid.
You are still conflating the process of manufacturing vs able to design a safe aircraft. The ability of Boeing to correctly manufacture an aircraft to it's design was not the cause of 737 Max 8 crashes. The ability of Boeing to create a safe design was. (As an aside: I don't think self certification of a design should be a thing)