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.
Roles and Responsibilities:- Technical Mastery:
- Develop and maintain deep technical knowledge for critical manufacturing processes, tooling, and equipment
- Serve as a subject matter expert on tooling, automation, and process capabilities
- Troubleshoot complex production issues using data-driven root cause analysis and engineering principles
- Lead the development and improvement of system documentation
- Research and implement cutting-edge manufacturing technologies and automation solutions to improve process efficiency
- Product Line Management:
- Oversee various product lines and facilities from development through production and support
- Ensure manufacturing processes align with product line objectives including output, quality, and demand
- Act as a technical liaison between Engineering, Production, and Supply Chain for process related decisions
- Manage engineering change implementations with minimal production disruptions
- Process Development, Optimization and Continuous Improvement:
- Identify and lead continuous process improvement projects to increase throughput, reduce cycle time, and enhance yield
- Design and implement process modifications using Lean methodologies
- Optimize layouts, workflows, tooling, and equipment utilization to support evolving production needs
- Develop and maintain robust process documentation for work instructions and Manufacturing Execution System (MES) including collaboration of PFMEAs
- Plan, facilitate, and lead Lean events (Kaizen, Gemba walks, SMED, 5S, VSM) to improve operational efficiency and reduce waste
- Identify opportunities for improvement through data analysis, operator feedback, and process observation
- Redesign workstations and production lines to improve ergonomics, safety, material flow, and cycle time, ensuring alignment with Lean principles and operator feedback
- Provide technical input and oversee implementation of tool and gage designs
- Strategic Leadership:
- Contribute to long-term manufacturing strategy through data-driven forecasting, capacity planning, and capital investment recommendations and/or implementations
- Align engineering projects with company-wide strategic goals
- Influence decision-making at the leadership level by presenting clear technical insights and business cases for process improvements and equipment upgrades
- Anticipate manufacturing challenges and proactively develop solutions that support growth and innovation
- Customer Support:
- Provide technical support to customers related to manufacturing processes
- Collaborate with Quality and Product Engineering to address customer concerns and lead corrective action efforts
- Perform audits to ensure manufacturing compliance with customer requirements
- Mentorship and Training:
- Mentor junior engineers, providing guidance in technical problem-solving and skill development
- Foster a learning culture by promoting knowledge-sharing and engineering best practices
- Cost and Quality Improvements:
- Identify and implement cost-saving initiatives related to process, labor, tooling, and equipment
- Collaborate with Quality to lead defect reductions by analyzing non-conformances and implementing corrective/preventive actions
- Support and lead manufacturing engineering-related APQP initiatives including PFMEAs, 8D, PPAP
- Collaborative Efforts:
- Work closely with cross-function teams including Product, Applications, Controls, and Test Engineers to optimize manufacturing processes and ensuring seamless product launches
- Lead cross-departmental projects and Kaizen events
- Facilitate communication between other cross-functional teams such as Production, Quality, IT, Metrology, Maintenance, and Finance
Qualifications:- 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.)
- Hands-on experience with automation technologies and systems integration
- Solid understanding of lean manufacturing principles and experience leading Kaizen, 5S, or other lean initiatives
- Proficient in advanced engineering documentation such as APQP, PFMEA, Work Instructions, Process Flow Diagrams, and applying them to product development
- Experience with automation development and implementation
- Knowledge and preferred experience with additive manufacturing technologies and processes
- Familiarity with standard manufacturing equipment, tools, and controls used in industrial production environments
- Familiar with Automotive Industry standards and requirements, i.e. IATF 16949
- Strong understanding of safety, quality, productivity, demand planning, inventory management, and operational stewardship principles
- Business and Strategic Skills:
- Adequate knowledge of business principles including budgeting, resource planning, and strategic execution
- Experience supporting or leading capital investment projects, cost reduction initiatives, or production line and facility expansion planning
- Ability to initiate and lead project planning, including timelines, resource coordination, and execution tracking
- Leadership, Communication, and Collaboration:
- Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive initiatives from concept through implementation
- Skilled in project management, with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines
- Effective mentor and trainer, capable of developing others in technical and process disciplines
- Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to present technical data and proposals to diverse audiences, including internal teams and executive leadership
