Department: Advanced Engineering
Reports To: Process and Proposals Engineering Manager
Location: On-site with strategic travel (~5%-10%)
Position SummaryProcess and Proposals Engineers are responsible for developing manufacturing processes, system architecture, and technical proposals for complex industrial systems, all while ensuring alignment with customer standards, specifications, and required deliverables. This role initiates the process definition, technical solution development, and associated pricing during the proposal phase; ensuring proposed systems achieve required cycle times, throughput targets, product quality standards, and operational reliability.
The position works cross-functionally with sales, engineering, manufacturing, operations, executive leadership, and organizational ownership to translate customer requirements into scalable manufacturing systems and automation strategies. This position supports project execution from kickoff to completion to ensure success with maximum profitability and customer satisfaction.
Core ResponsibilitiesMechanical Concepts and Manufacturing Process Development- Analyze customer products, requirements, and RFQs to develop optimized manufacturing processes and automation strategies.
- Define process flows, station content, and manufacturing sequences to meet production targets.
- Evaluate cycle times, line balancing, and production throughput to validate that systems meet takt time and capacity requirements.
- Identify technical risks, process constraints, assumptions, and design considerations affecting system performance, reliability, or cost.
- Develop scalable manufacturing and automation strategies to support future production volume increases or product variations.
- Generate mechanical equipment concepts including workholding, tooling, fixturing, and station-level automation solutions.
- Assess equipment accessibility, ergonomics, serviceability, and safety during concept development.
System Architecture- Develop automation system concepts, including station architecture, equipment configuration, and overall automation strategy.
- Define equipment content: robotics, tooling, fixtures, material handling systems, conveyors, and inspection systems.
- Support definition of controls architecture, including PLC platforms, sensors, actuators, and network requirements.
- Collaborate with controls, mechanical, and manufacturing engineering teams to validate integration feasibility.
- Generate 2D and 3D equipment layouts and facility concepts using AutoCAD, Siemens NX, or equivalent, ensuring optimal material flow and operator interaction.
- Evaluate factory floor integration, including utilities, maintenance access, and infrastructure requirements.
Proposal Development- Develop technical and commercial proposals for industrial systems including robotic cells, assembly systems, and integrated production lines.
- Generate detailed proposal documentation including:
- Manufacturing process descriptions
- Industrial robotics
- System architecture concepts
- Production flow diagrams
- Equipment layouts and concepts
- Bills of Materials (BOM)
- Scope of work
- Technical assumptions and exclusions
- Prepare detailed cost models including equipment, engineering labor, integration, materials, and supplier content.
Supplier & Internal Collaboration- Work with equipment suppliers and technology partners to obtain technical input and cost quotations.
- Participate in internal proposal reviews to evaluate technical feasibility, risk exposure, and pricing strategy.
- Collaborate with engineering leadership to ensure proposed solutions align with company technical capabilities and integration strategy.
Business & Strategic Alignment- Interface with company leadership, including Ownership and the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), to understand corporate financial objectives, margin targets, and revenue goals that influence proposal strategy.
- Support strategic opportunity selection and prioritization based on technical fit, resource availability, and financial performance.
Customer Engagement- Support technical discussions with customers during proposal development.
- Participate in technical reviews, concept presentations, and proposal clarification meetings.
- Communicate manufacturing process concepts, automation strategies, and system capabilities to customer engineering teams.
QualificationsRequired Qualifications- Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in:
- Mechanical Engineering
- Strong understanding of industrial automation systems and manufacturing processes.
- Demonstrated experience evaluating cycle times, takt time, and production throughput for automated manufacturing systems.
- Ability to translate customer requirements into manufacturing processes and automation system concepts.
- Strong analytical and technical problem-solving abilities.
- Excellent written and verbal technical communication skills.
Preferred Qualifications- Experience working within industrial automation integrators or advanced manufacturing environments.
- Experience with automation technologies including:
- Industrial robotics
- PLC-based control systems
- Automated assembly systems
- Material handling and conveyor systems
- Joining and assembly applications- welding, adhesive, sealer, rivet, hemming, etc...
- Working knowledge of 3D CAD software (Siemens NX or equivalent).
- Experience developing 2D production line layouts using AutoCAD.
- Understanding of controls architecture, sensors, actuators, and industrial networking.
