Manufacturing Engineering IIFull Time + Benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision, 401k with Company Match, PTO)
Job Type: Onsite / 25% Travel
Salary Range: $87,900-$104,800 DOE
Location: Poway, CA
Job SummaryThe Manufacturing Engineer is responsible for developing, improving, implementing, and sustaining manufacturing processes for soft machining operations for advanced ceramic products at the Poway, CA facility. This is a highly hands-on manufacturing-floor role requiring direct daily work with operators, CNC and conventional machining equipment, tooling, fixtures, workholding, programs, and in-process ceramic components. The position serves as the primary technical resource for assigned manufacturing areas and drives improvements in safety, quality, yield, throughput, cost, capacity, and on-time delivery.
This is not a desk-based engineering position. The Manufacturing Engineer is expected to spend the majority of each workday in the soft machining area, working directly at the machines with operators and supervisors. The engineer must be comfortable observing and running processes, setting up and evaluating tooling and fixtures, troubleshooting equipment and machining problems, conducting trials, measuring results, and implementing improvements on the floor.
Essential Duties and ResponsibilitiesTo perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.
The Manufacturing Engineer must be able to perform a variety of job duties including, but not limited to:
- Own and support soft machining processes for unfired ceramic components, including CNC and conventional machining, setup, programming support, tooling, workholding, in-process inspection, material handling, and preparation for downstream operations.
- Provide immediate, hands-on production support by working at the machines to troubleshoot setups, programs, equipment, tooling, fixtures, workholding, material, dimensional, and quality issues.
- Personally observe machine operation, verify setup conditions, inspect in-process parts, and remain engaged through troubleshooting and process trials until issues are understood and contained.
- Develop, prove out, and improve machining methods, setups, tool selection, fixture concepts, feeds, speeds, and process controls in collaboration with machinists and production leadership.
- Maintain a regular floor presence and build practical, repeatable solutions that operators can safely execute and sustain.
- Serve as the primary technical resource for Poway soft machining operations and work side by side with machinists, operators, and supervisors to stabilize processes and improve daily manufacturing performance.
- Develop, document, implement, and maintain manufacturing processes, work instructions, process specifications, operational method sheets, routings, data sheets, and manufacturing standards.
- Ensure routing, bills of material, labor standards, process flows, and manufacturing documentation accurately reflect the approved production method.
- Lead process trials, experiments, first article activities, process validations, equipment qualifications, and new product introduction activities from prototype through production release.
- Lead structured root cause investigations and corrective actions for scrap, rework, downtime, yield loss, process variation, customer issues, and other manufacturing problems.
- Support RCCA and 8D activities by collecting and analyzing data, verifying process conditions, defining corrective actions, and confirming effectiveness.
- Design, specify, build or coordinate, test, and improve cutting tools, fixtures, workholding, gauges, process aids, and basic automation used in soft machining.
- Participate in equipment selection, installation, commissioning, qualification, preventive maintenance coordination, and production release.
- Collect and analyze manufacturing data related to cycle time, throughput, yield, scrap, rework, downtime, capacity, and process capability.
- Perform time studies, workflow observations, capability studies, and process checks to establish standards and identify improvement opportunities.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on safety, quality, cost, delivery, capacity, and lead-time reduction.
- Lead or support 5S, Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, visual management, work-cell organization, and facility layout improvements.
- Train and coach machinists and operators at the equipment on approved setups, programs, machining methods, work instructions, tooling, fixtures, inspection methods, and equipment operation.
- Support quoting and costing activities by defining manufacturing methods, process steps, tooling requirements, labor assumptions, cycle times, and material needs.
- Work cross-functionally with Production, Quality, Supply Chain, Production Control, Maintenance, Facilities, Design/Process Engineering, and equipment or tooling suppliers.
- Participate in customer and supplier discussions as needed to address manufacturability, process capability, quality, or technical issues.
- Follow all safety standards and procedures, including PPE requirements for a manufacturing environment.
- Maintain an organized, clean, and safe work area using established safety and housekeeping standards.
- Perform other duties as needed or assigned by supervisor.
Required Skills- Three or more years of manufacturing engineering experience in a production environment.
- Strong hands-on mechanical aptitude and willingness to work directly with manufacturing equipment, tooling, fixtures, and production processes.
- Experience troubleshooting manufacturing processes and leading structured root cause analysis and corrective action.
- Working knowledge of manufacturing methods, process controls, tooling, fixtures, measurement systems, and production documentation.
- Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, customer requirements, and controlled procedures.
- Experience creating and maintaining routings, bills of material, work instructions, process specifications, and manufacturing standards.
- Ability to collect, analyze, and communicate manufacturing data and use the results to drive decisions.
- Ability to manage multiple assignments and work effectively with production employees, supervisors, engineers, and other cross-functional teams.
- Clear written and verbal communication skills.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, and other standard business applications.
Preferred Skills- Experience with technical ceramics, green or soft machining, brittle materials, advanced materials, semiconductor equipment, aerospace, medical device, or precision manufacturing.
- Experience with CNC mills, lathes, routers, conventional machining equipment, CAM or CNC programming, cutting tools, workholding, in-process inspection, and dimensional control.
- Experience with statistical process control, process capability analysis, DOE, Lean Manufacturing, 5S, Kaizen, and structured problem-solving methods.
- CAD experience for tooling, fixture, and manufacturing layout development.
- Experience with equipment installation, commissioning, qualification, and production release.
- Experience supporting new product introduction and transfer into volume manufacturing.
Education Requirements- Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical field preferred.
- An equivalent combination of education and relevant hands-on manufacturing experience may be considered.
Physical Requirements- Ability to spend extended periods standing and walking in a manufacturing environment, with regular sitting, bending, reaching, and movement between production areas.
- Ability to use computers, hand tools, measuring equipment, and production or laboratory equipment as required.
- Ability to lift up to 30 pounds.
Working Conditions- Work is performed in an office and manufacturing environment, with the majority of time expected to be spent on the Poway soft machining floor and at production equipment.
- Exposure to machining equipment, unfired ceramic materials, dust-control systems, coolants or process fluids, moving machinery, and noise may occur.
- Required personal protective equipment must be worn as applicable.
All offers of employment at Fralock are contingent upon clear results of a background check. Background checks may include
some or all the following depending on job title and responsibilities:- Social Security Verification
- Prior Employment Verification
- Criminal History
- Personal and Professional References
- Motor Vehicle Records
- Credit History
