Position SummaryThe Manufacturing Engineer develops, improves, and sustains manufacturing processes with primary emphasis on CNC machining, process capability, productivity, quality, and production support. This position works closely with Production, Quality, and Maintenance to solve manufacturing problems and implement practical process improvements. The role is based in the Asheville, NC Perfection Gear location and will report to the Plant Manager.
Principle Duties and Responsibilities- Develop, optimize, document, and sustain CNC machining and manufacturing processes.
- Create, modify, and troubleshoot CNC programs, tooling, fixtures, workholding, setups, feeds, speeds, and machining methods.
- Interpret engineering drawings, routers, specifications, tolerances, and other technical information required to establish effective manufacturing processes.
- Provide hands-on technical support to operators and supervisors to resolve machining and production problems affecting safety, quality, delivery, cycle time, or output.
- Develop and maintain process documentation, setup information, standard work, and manufacturing instructions.
- Lead or support focused continuous-improvement activities involving scrap, rework, cycle time, productivity, process flow, quality, and root-cause corrective action.
- Support new-product introduction and validate new or revised manufacturing processes before transfer to production.
- Provide engineering support to Maintenance for recurring equipment problems and equipment-reliability improvements when required.
- Support assigned manufacturing-equipment projects, including technical requirements, installation, startup, process validation, and production handoff.
- Work cross-functionally with Production, Quality, Maintenance, Engineering, and suppliers to implement and sustain manufacturing improvements.
Experience and Education- Bachelor's degree in engineering, manufacturing, industrial technology, CNC programming, or a related technical field; OR an equivalent combination of education, technical training, and relevant manufacturing experience.
- Minimum 5 years of progressive manufacturing engineering or closely related technical experience in a machining/manufacturing environment.
- Hands-on experience with CNC programming or process development, tooling, workholding, setups, and manufacturing troubleshooting.
- Experience with multi-axis CNC machining strongly preferred.
- Experience with CAM software; GibbsCAM experience preferred.
- Experience with Lean manufacturing, structured problem solving, root-cause analysis, and continuous improvement.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office; Power BI experience preferred.
Technical Skills- Strong knowledge of machining practices, tooling, workholding, shop mathematics, manufacturing tolerances, and process development.
- Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and manufacturing specifications.
- Strong troubleshooting, analytical, communication, documentation, and cross-functional teamwork skills.
- Ability to independently prioritize engineering work based on production and business needs.
- Familiarity with ISO 9001:2015 requirements preferred.
- Ability to work in both office and manufacturing-floor environments and access equipment for troubleshooting and process development.
- Ability to lift or move approximately 40 to 50 pounds when required.
- Flexibility to work overtime when operational or project requirements warrant.
