Lead Advanced Manufacturing Engineer

Join the Future of Workspace Innovation at Haworth
Are you ready to shape the future of how people work, live, and thrive? At Haworth, we're not just creating furniture, we're revolutionizing the way the world interacts with spaces. As a global pioneer in workspace design since 1948, we've been pushing boundaries and redefining possibilities for over seven decades.

We're looking for visionaries like you to help write the next chapter of our story.

Discover more here !

Job Overview

We are currently looking for a Lead Advanced Manufacturing Engineer to join our team onsite in Holland, MI. 

This role is pivotal in driving innovation across Haworth’s architectural and office furniture manufacturing operations. The Lead Advanced Manufacturing Engineer will join a team of Advanced Manufacturing Engineers dedicated to developing and implementing innovative manufacturing solutions throughout the product development lifecycle, from concept and design through full-scale production. In addition to leading individual projects, this position will provide technical leadership, guidance, and mentorship to fellow engineers, helping to advance best practices and engineering excellence across the team.

A primary focus of this role is the integration of technology solutions that enable seamless communication and data exchange between people, equipment, and enterprise systems, including ERP and MES platforms. The successful candidate will serve as a key link between manufacturing operations and digital technologies, driving initiatives that improve connectivity, visibility, efficiency, and decision-making across the organization.

Responsibilities may also include projects that require manufacturing feasibility, optimizing material flow, and developing strategies for labor utilization, equipment implementation, and new material integration. The Lead Advanced Manufacturing Engineer will play a critical role in identifying and executing opportunities to enhance productivity, quality, and operational performance while supporting Haworth’s long-term manufacturing strategy.

The ideal candidate brings a strong foundation in manufacturing engineering, exceptional problem-solving and analytical skills, experience with manufacturing data systems and programming, and the ability to effectively bridge manufacturing and IT disciplines. Additional qualifications include demonstrated project management expertise, encompassing business case development, capital equipment procurement, implementation, and execution. Success in this role requires the ability to align technical solutions with customer requirements, manufacturing capabilities, and financial objectives to deliver sustainable business value.

Essential Functions

• Contribute to the development of long-term manufacturing strategy, providing expert insights and recommendations.
• Develop and implement best practices and standards for manufacturing engineering, ensuring consistency and continuous improvement.
• Drive innovation in manufacturing processes, exploring and implementing advanced technologies and methodologies. Ability to develop plans to prove that a consideration for a new technology, process, or methodology is statistically capable of providing the desired outcome (Examples: 1: A prove-out plan for a new poka yoke is used to determine its percent effectiveness of detecting failures on the manufacturing process it was being considered for; 2) A prove-out plan for a new process to ensure that the process produces product that meets mechanical test requirements and has a dimensionally capability of Ppk=1.33).
• Lead complex problem-solving initiatives, utilizing advanced analytical techniques to identify root causes and implement effective solutions. Ability to analyze scrap data, downtime data, complete dimensional analysis, interpret lab analysis, etc. Ability to differentiate between Special Cause and Common Cause variation to determine appropriate tool/s for determinization of root cause analysis (Kepner Trego (is/is not), Shainin Red-X, hypothesis testing, DOE, correlation study, ANOVA, etc.). Basic statistic skills and understanding. 
• Lead cross-functional teams for large-scale manufacturing projects, ensuring alignment and collaboration across departments.
• Lead the development and implementation of strategic manufacturing initiatives aligned with overall business objectives. Possess understanding of manufacturing cost drivers to enable creation of initial business case analysis for potential solutions. 
• Mentor and coach a team of engineers, fostering their professional growth and development. This may include gap-filling for specific skill sets that the overall team does not possess. Offers opportunity to help and teach simultaneously. This will require flexibility to own projects, while allowing for some intermittent support of colleagues’ projects. 
• Must be able to perform all essential job functions with/without accommodation.
• Uses office automation, communication, software, and tools used in Haworth office environment.
• Performs other duties within scope as assigned.

Required Qualifications

Education: 

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Industrial Technology, Manufacturing, Packaging or equivalent in relevant field of study.
• Education Equivalency:
  • Associate's degree plus 2 years of engineering work experience or,
  • 4 years of engineering work experience if no post-secondary education.
  • Military Equivalency at

Work Experience:

• 7 years of engineering work experience with Bachelor’s degree or,
• 5 years of engineering work experience with Master’s degree.

In addition: 

• Applicants must be able to work onsite in Holland, MI without relocation assistance. 
• Applicants must possess an unrestricted right to work in the US to be eligible for this position.
• Ability to travel internationally up to 10 percent of the time.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with software ( Inductive Automation’s Ignition or alternate ) software and hardware to facilitate the interactions between manufacturing machines, technology , and data systems :

• • SCADA & HMI Control: Build real-time control screens and dashboards to monitor and operate industrial machinery and plant processes.
  • Data Collection (IIoT): Gather data from industrial controllers (PLCs), sensors, and devices using protocols like OPC UA and MQTT.
  • Manufacturing Execution (MES): Track production metrics, manage product tracking, monitor equipment effectiveness (OEE), and log downtime.
  • Database & Enterprise Integration: Connect industrial processes directly to SQL databases and business software systems.
  • Alarming and Reporting: Set up real-time alerts for system faults and generate automated operational reports .
• Experien ce with computer or PLC programming to allow for general understanding of machine coding structure and approaches.
• Experience with Robotics (Fanuc , ABB, Yasakawa, etc.) and/or automation hardware and programming.

Design your future with Haworth
Headquartered in Holland Michigan, Haworth is a family owned global powerhouse at the forefront of innovation and sustainable design in the workspace interiors industry. Here, you'll have access to state of the art resources, collaborate with cross functional teams of passionate innovators, and experience a blend of global reach with personal growth opportunities. Whether you're developing new manufacturing processes, implementing smart factory solutions, or designing tomorrow's workspace solutions, you'll be empowered to make a lasting impact while growing your career.

We believe in the power of collaboration and strive to create a culture where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to make a difference. Your hard work, dedication, and talent are the foundation of our success and enable us to build meaningful connections with our customers and each other.

At Haworth, members enjoy benefits from their first day of employment:

• 20 Days Paid Time Off: Plus, the option to buy up to 5 extra days.
• Health Benefits: Priority Health Medical options, Delta Dental, and Vision Insurance.
• 401k Match: Contribute 6% of your annual salary, and Haworth will match up to 7%.
• Insurance Coverage: Company-provided Short-Term Disability, Long Term Disability, and Life Insurance.
• On-Site Gym: Well-equipped gym, open 24/7. 
• Annual Bonus Programs
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Volunteer Time Off
• Parental Leave
• Pet Insurance
• Zero Waste to Landfill