The Manufacturing Engineer - Controls & Power Assembly is responsible for designing, improving, documenting, and sustaining the manufacturing processes used to build AWC's Controls and Power Assembly products.
Working at the intersection of Engineering and Manufacturing, this role transforms product designs into safe, efficient, repeatable, and scalable manufacturing processes. The Manufacturing Engineer uses data, direct observation, engineering principles, and Lean methodologies to improve workflow, reduce waste and rework, increase productivity, improve quality, and strengthen manufacturing capability.
This role is highly hands-on and works directly with production employees and leaders to solve problems and continuously improve how work gets done. This position will be located on site at our Deer Park Texas facility.
How you'll make an impact:Manufacturing Process Design- Develop and optimize manufacturing methods, workflows, workstation layouts, tooling, and production processes for Controls and Power Assembly products. Specifically, Variable Frequency Drive Packages and Low Voltage Motor Control Center Bucket assembly
- Translate engineering designs and requirements into effective manufacturing processes and work instructions
- Define appropriate production sequences, methods, tooling, equipment, and quality checkpoints
- Support new product introductions and ensure manufacturing readiness before products are released to production
- Participate in design reviews and provide Design for Manufacturability and Assembly (DFMA) input
- Identify manufacturing risks early and work cross-functionally to resolve them
Process Documentation & Standard Work- Develop and maintain manufacturing work instructions, standard work, process documentation, visual aids, and production methods
- Ensure manufacturing documentation accurately reflects current processes and engineering requirements.
- Establish repeatable processes that reduce dependence on tribal knowledge
- Partner with production employees to capture best practices and incorporate them into standardized processes
- Support training and qualification of employees on new or revised manufacturing processes
Productivity & Continuous Improvement- Analyze manufacturing processes to identify bottlenecks, waste, excessive motion, material handling issues, and other productivity constraints
- Conduct time studies, capacity analyses, workflow studies, and process observations
- Lead or support Lean manufacturing initiatives, including 5S, standard work, value-stream mapping, visual management, and continuous improvement events
- Develop solutions that improve throughput, labor efficiency, quality, ergonomics, and production flexibility
- Measure results to verify that improvements deliver sustainable operational benefits
Quality & Root Cause Problem-Solving- Partner with Quality, Engineering, and Production to investigate manufacturing defects, rework, process failures, and recurring production issues
- Lead or participate in structured root cause analysis and corrective action
- Develop error-proofing and process controls that prevent defects rather than relying solely on inspection
- Analyze production and quality data to identify trends and improvement opportunities
- Support corrective and preventive actions and verify their effectiveness
Tooling, Equipment & Automation- Identify tooling, fixtures, equipment, and automation opportunities that improve safety, quality, productivity, or capacity
- Develop business cases and technical requirements for manufacturing investments
- Support equipment selection, installation, validation, and employee training
- Work with vendors and internal resources to implement manufacturing technology solutions
- Ensure new equipment and processes integrate effectively into existing operations
Production & Engineering Support- Provide hands-on technical support to production employees and leaders when manufacturing problems arise
- Partner with Engineering to resolve drawing, design, BOM, or configuration issues affecting manufacturability
- Work with Supply Chain and Materials teams to address component or material issues affecting production
- Support ERP/MRP manufacturing data, including routings, work centers, labor standards, and other manufacturing master data as appropriate
- Participate in cross-functional projects related to manufacturing capacity, facility layout, product introduction, and operational improvement
Safety & Ergonomics- Incorporate safety and ergonomic considerations into manufacturing process and workstation design
- Identify opportunities to reduce employee exposure to lifting, repetitive motion, electrical, mechanical, and other manufacturing hazards
- Ensure new processes, tooling, and equipment meet applicable safety requirements
Skills you'll need:- Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related discipline preferred
- 3+ years of manufacturing engineering, industrial engineering, process engineering, or similar experience preferred
- Experience in electrical assembly, control panel manufacturing, switchgear, low voltage motor control center assembly, engineered-to-order manufacturing, industrial equipment, or a related environment is highly desirable
- Knowledge of Lean manufacturing, standard work, process mapping, time studies, root cause analysis, and continuous improvement methodologies
- Ability to interpret engineering drawings, bills of material, specifications, and manufacturing documentation
- Experience with ERP/MRP systems and manufacturing master data preferred
- Strong analytical and structured problem-solving skills
- Ability to work effectively with engineers, production employees, frontline leaders, and other cross-functional partners
- Hands-on orientation with a willingness to spend significant time on the manufacturing floor
What Success Looks Like- Success in this role means manufacturing becomes easier to execute correctly. Processes are documented and repeatable, employees have effective tools and instructions, engineering designs transition smoothly into production, bottlenecks and rework decrease, and manufacturing capacity and productivity improve as the business grows
The Rewards:- Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
- 401(K) Match
- Competitive Pay
- Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance Package
- Employer Paid Life Insurance
- Paid Time Off and Holiday Pay
- Career Development Opportunities