Senior Manufacturing Engineer

Senior Manufacturing EngineerWe are seeking qualified applicants for a Sr. Manufacturing Engineer role with a client in the Portland region. This role focuses highly, but not exclusively, on machining processes; applicants need to be a degreed engineer with clearly demonstrated experience in machining environments and processes.The Manufacturing Engineer – Machining designs, implements, sustains, and continuously improves machining and related manufacturing processes to optimize quality, safety, delivery, and cost. This role provides hands-on production support on the shop floor, drives process and cost improvements, supports new product introduction activities, and ensures manufacturing systems and documentation accurately reflect current processes and engineering changes.ResponsibilitiesProvide technical support to resolve production issues, including quality escalations, machine downtime, and part shortages, ensuring timely restoration of stable operations.Guide manufacturing engineering technicians who provide first-response support to production issues, offering direction and technical expertise.Collect and analyze production data and perform work analysis to establish, update, and maintain ERP routing information for part fabrication and product assembly, including setup times, run times, and operation sequences.Support the accuracy and effectiveness of ERP and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems for managing manufacturing processes and engineering design changes.Contribute to the development, standardization, and maintenance of manufacturing standards and related documentation.Create, maintain, and update manufacturing work instructions, ensuring proper access, review and approval, training, and controlled change management.Lead and participate in continuous improvement initiatives to optimize processes, reduce waste, and improve product quality using value stream mapping, kaizen, lean strategies, and six sigma statistical methods.Provide written and verbal project updates with appropriate frequency and detail to stakeholders, clearly communicating status, risks, and mitigation plans.Collaborate cross-functionally to understand part, product, and process variability using structured problem-solving techniques, statistical methods, and data analytics to inform decisions.Partner with production leadership to develop, monitor, and improve a balanced scorecard with key performance indicators for quality, inventory, delivery, and safety.Participate in the evaluation of internal and external quality data to identify product and process improvement opportunities and execute assigned Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA) initiatives.Collaborate with subject matter experts to design and implement manufacturing processes that meet applicable safety and regulatory requirements.Complete assigned tasks in support of new product introduction (NPI), including participation in design reviews, tool and fixture planning, work cell design and validation, and inspection methodology development.Monitor and communicate NPI project progress, including risk identification and mitigation recommendations to achieve project targets for cost, quality, and schedule.Make timely recommendations to inform capital and expense budgets, providing technical and financial justifications and viable alternatives for equipment and process investments.Deploy new equipment and related processes, ensuring safety measures, operator training, preventive maintenance plans, documentation, and process controls are properly validated.Develop competence in varied manufacturing processes such as machining, assembly, welding, and special processes, and improve machine center part families, programs, tooling, and setup standards.Utilize CAD/CAM systems to design tools, fixtures, and process area layouts, support design reviews, and create clear technical documentation.Support appropriate quality control methods for inspection, testing, and process monitoring to maintain and improve product and process performance.Essential SkillsExperience in manufacturing engineering with a focus on machining operations and shop-floor production support.Deep understanding of CNC machining, including GD&T, engineering prints, fixtures, tooling, and machine troubleshooting.Proficiency in process improvement and troubleshooting of machines, including root cause analysis and statistical process control.Experience with capital expenditure (capex) projects, including equipment selection, justification, and deployment.Hands-on involvement in new product introduction (NPI), including manufacturing readiness, tooling, and process validation.Experience executing Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPA) and driving closure on quality and process issues.Demonstrated moderate to advanced computer skills, including use of 2D/3D CAD systems such as AutoCAD and Inventor.Solid understanding and experience with ERP/MRP and similar manufacturing systems for routing, planning, and change management.Effective cross-functional communication skills, including clear oral, written, and illustrative communication in individual and team settings.Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage time effectively while adapting to changing priorities and tasks.Ability to work independently with moderate supervision and mentorship, taking ownership of assigned projects and deliverables.Ability to develop and communicate clear recommendations with technical and financial justification to educate stakeholders and drive change.Knowledge of corporate quality management systems (QMS) and manufacturing quality and process control methodologies.Strong root cause analysis skills and ability to manage corrective and preventive actions from identification through implementation.Proven analytical problem-solving skills, with familiarity in lean six sigma methodology (preferred).Ability to develop and execute a project plan, including defining tasks, timelines, risks, and resource needs.Additional Skills & QualificationsBachelor's degree in manufacturing engineering, industrial engineering, or a relevant engineering discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.Ideally 10-15+ years demonstrated manufacturing engineering experience.Experience with lean manufacturing tools such as value stream mapping, kaizen events, and waste reduction strategies.Experience using six sigma statistical methods for process optimization and variation reduction.Background in machining, assembly, welding, and special manufacturing processes, with the ability to build competence across multiple technologies.Experience using CAD/CAM systems for tool and fixture design, layout optimization, and documentation creation.Familiarity with balanced scorecard metrics and KPI development for quality, inventory, delivery, and safety.Exposure to inspection methodology development and quality control techniques for machined and assembled components.Work EnvironmentThis position is based 100% onsite in the southwest portion of the Metro area, within a manufacturing environment that includes CNC machining centers, assembly areas, and supporting quality and engineering functions. The role is highly interactive with production operations and requires regular presence on the shop floor to support equipment, processes, and operators. You will work with ERP/MRP systems, PLM tools, CAD/CAM software such as AutoCAD and Inventor, and standard office productivity tools. The environment emphasizes safety, operational excellence, and continuous improvement, with cross-functional collaboration among engineering, production, quality, and leadership teams.We will prioritize regional talent but will review highly qualified non-local talent as well.