The Manufacturing Engineer is responsible for all processes, continuous improvements, tooling, and manufacturing and plant layouts. As a Manufacturing Engineer, you will oversee one or more product lines or facilities, with the responsibility for optimizing manufacturing processes, enhancing production efficiency, and ensuring product quality. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive and implement process development and improvements, troubleshoot manufacturing issues, and support and/or lead new product launches.
Technical Mastery:- Develop and apply strong technical knowledge of manufacturing processes, tooling, and equipment
- Act as a key technical resource for troubleshooting tooling, automation, and process-related issues
- Support the development, maintenance, and continuous improvement of process and system documentation
- Evaluate and assist in implementing new manufacturing technologies, tooling, and automation solutions to improve efficiency and performance
Product Line Management:- Support assigned product lines from development through production, ensuring process stability and performance
- Ensure manufacturing processes meet product line objectives related to output, quality, and customer demand
- Act as a technical point of contact between Engineering, Production, IT, Systems, Maintenance, and Supply Chain for process-related topics
- Coordinate and implement engineering changes while minimizing disruption to production operations
Process Development, Optimization and Continuous Improvement:- Identify and support continuous improvement initiatives to increase throughput, reduce cycle time, and improve yield
- Assist in designing and implementing process improvements using Lean manufacturing methodologies
- Optimize layouts, workflows, tooling, and equipment utilization to meet production demands
- Develop and maintain process documentation including work instructions, Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) inputs
- Participate in and help facilitate Lean activities (Kaizen events, Gemba walks, 5S, SMED, VSM)
- Identify improvement opportunities through data analysis, operator feedback, and direct process observation
- Support workstation and line improvements to enhance ergonomics, safety, material flow, and cycle time
- Provide technical input and support implementation of tooling and gage design improvements
Strategic Leadership:- Support long-term manufacturing strategy through data analysis, capacity planning, and input on capital investment initiatives
- Align assigned engineering projects with departmental and company objectives
- Contribute technical insights and data to support decision-making on process improvements and equipment upgrades
- Identify potential manufacturing challenges within assigned areas and proactively develop solutions to support production goals
Customer Support:- Provide technical support for internal and external customer needs related to manufacturing processes
- Collaborate with Quality and Product Engineering to investigate customer concerns and support corrective actions
- Participate in audits and ensure manufacturing processes comply with customer requirements and standards
Mentorship and Training:- Provide guidance and support to junior engineers in technical problem-solving and daily activities
- Share knowledge, best practices, and lessons learned to support team development
- Assist in training team members on processes, equipment and continuous improvement tools
Cost and Quality Improvements:- Identify and support implementation of cost reduction initiatives related to processes, labor, tooling, and equipment
- Collaborate with Quality to address non-conformances and support defect reduction efforts through corrective and preventive actions
- Support APQP initiatives including PFMEA, 8D, PPAP
Collaborative Efforts:- Collaborate with cross-functional teams including Product, Applications, Controls, and Test Engineers to support process optimization and product launches
- Participate in cross-departmental projects and continuous improvement activities
- Facilitate effective communication between teams such as Production, Quality, IT, Metrology, Maintenance, Finance to support operational goals
Education and Experience:- Bachelor's or advanced degree in Industrial, Manufacturing, Mechanical Engineering or other engineering-related discipline, or equivalent work experience.
Technical, Process, and Industry Expertise:- Proficient in CAD software (Solidworks, AutoCAD, Inventor, etc.)
- Strong understanding of lean manufacturing principles with experience leading or co-leading Kaizen, 5S, or other continuous improvements initiatives
- Proficient in developing and applying engineering documentation such as, Process Flow Diagrams, Work Instructions, PFMEAs to support product and process development
- Experience supporting implementation of automation, tooling, and process improvements
- Familiarity with standard manufacturing equipment, tools, and controls used in industrial production environments
- Exposure to industry standards and requirements (IATF 16949)
- Solid understanding of safety, quality, productivity, demand planning, and operational principles
- Experience with time studies, line balancing, standard work development, and process optimization
- Strong problem-solving skills with experience applying Root Cause Analysis, 5 Whys, 8D, or similar methodologies
Business and Strategic Skills:- Working knowledge of business principles including budgeting, resource planning, and project execution
- Experience supporting capital projects, cost reduction initiatives, or production line improvements
- Ability to contribute to project planning, including timelines, resource coordination, and execution tracking
- Skilling in prioritizing tasks and project alignment with production demands and organizational objectives
Leadership, Communication, and Collaboration:- Demonstrates the ability to lead smaller-scale projects or initiatives within a team environment
- Effective communicator with strong verbal and written communication skills across cross-functional teams
- Ability to collaborate with operations, quality, maintenance, and supply chain to drive manufacturing performance
- Provides guidance and support to junior engineers, technicians, and operators
- Capable of managing multiple tasks or projects with minimal supervision
- Communicates technical information, project updates, and improvement initiatives to stakeholders and leadership
- Build strong working relationships across departments to support production and operational goals
