Manufacturing Engineer

The Manufacturing Engineer is responsible for optimizing manufacturing processes, supporting daily production operations, and leading a team of shop-floor employees. This role combines hands-on engineering expertise with frontline leadership to ensure safety, quality, delivery, and cost targets are met. 

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

Continually look for ways to improve the methods, practices and procedures within the area. Further, a positive work atmosphere must, also, be promoted through professional and effective conduct and communications with customers, clients, suppliers, and employees.

Operations & Process Engineering

· Develop, improve, and standardize manufacturing processes, work instructions, and production methods.

· Analyze production data to identify root causes of downtime, scrap, and quality defects; implement corrective actions.

· Support new product introductions, equipment installations, and layout changes.

· Lead or participate in process capability studies, time studies, and PFMEA activities.

· Optimize tooling, fixturing, and equipment to increase throughput and reduce variation.

Production Supervision & Leadership

· Provide daily direction, coaching, and performance feedback to assigned production team members.

· Plan and allocate labor to meet production schedules and customer demand.

· Ensure team compliance with safety procedures, quality standards, and company policies.

· Support employee training, onboarding, and skill development.

· Address personnel issues and escalate concerns appropriately.

Safety & Quality

· Champion a culture of safety; conduct safety audits, hazard assessments, and near-miss investigations.

· Collaborate with Quality to resolve non-conformances and implement error-proofing solutions.

· Ensure equipment is properly maintained and safe for use; coordinate maintenance activities as needed.

Continuous Improvement

· Lead kaizen activities focused on reducing waste, improving efficiency, and enhancing flow.

· Apply Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies to drive measurable improvements.

· Support cost-reduction initiatives through process changes, automation, and material improvements.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

· Coordinate with Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, Supply Chain, and HR to support operational goals.

· Participate in daily production meetings and present data-driven updates on team performance.

· Assist with capital project justification and payback analysis.

· Meet with employees regularly to discuss their performance, with formal written performance reviews completed at least annually using the employee’s job description as a basis for appraisal.

Qualifications

· Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Industrial, Manufacturing, or related Engineering field required.

· 1–5+ years of experience in manufacturing or process engineering preferred.

· Prior leadership or supervisory experience strongly preferred (team lead, supervisor, or project leader).

· Strong understanding of Lean Manufacturing principles.

· Proficient with CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, AutoCAD) and manufacturing documentation.

· Experience with root cause analysis tools (5-Why, Fishbone, DMAIC).

· Familiarity with ERP/MRP systems.