Senior Manufacturing Project Engineer

Description

The Senior Manufacturing Project Engineer in Safco Products leads the planning, execution, and implementation of manufacturing engineering projects that support new products, custom customer solutions, capital improvements, and continuous improvement initiatives. This role partners cross-functionally with Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, Sales, and Product teams to optimize manufacturing processes, improve operational efficiency, and ensure high-quality, cost-effective production of both standard and custom products. The Senior Manufacturing Project Engineer provides technical expertise while managing projects from concept through implementation to support business growth and customer satisfaction.

This full-time position will report to the Director Operations at our Safco Products office location in New Hope, MN.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead manufacturing engineering projects from planning through implementation, including new product introductions, custom customer solutions, capital equipment projects, and process improvement initiatives.
• Manage project scope, schedules, budgets, and resources while coordinating cross-functional teams to achieve project objectives and meet customer and business requirements.
• Partner with Engineering, Product Management, Sales, and Operations to develop manufacturable, cost-effective solutions for standard and custom products, translating customer requirements into scalable manufacturing processes where appropriate.
• Support custom manufacturing initiatives by reviewing engineering drawings, specifications, and bills of materials (BOMs) to ensure manufacturability, quality, and cost-effective production.
• Evaluate and improve manufacturing processes, production flow, equipment utilization, plant layout, and material handling to enhance safety, quality, productivity, and operational efficiency.
• Identify, recommend, and implement capital equipment, tooling, fixtures, and automation solutions to support manufacturing capabilities and long-term operational goals.
• Provide technical expertise to production teams by troubleshooting manufacturing issues related to standard and custom products, conducting root cause analysis, and implementing sustainable corrective actions.
• Develop and maintain manufacturing documentation, including bills of materials (BOMs), process documentation, work instructions, and engineering change documentation.
• Apply Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement principles to reduce waste, improve throughput, and enhance product quality and consistency.
• Collaborate with Quality and Operations teams to support quality initiatives, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement efforts.
• Communicate project status, risks, timelines, and recommendations effectively to leadership and key stakeholders.
• Travel up to 25%.
• Other duties, as assigned.

REQUIRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related engineering field.
• 5+ years of manufacturing engineering, industrial engineering, or project engineering experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience managing multiple engineering or manufacturing projects, including customer-driven or custom manufacturing projects, simultaneously.
• Knowledge of manufacturing processes, including machining, fabrication, assembly, finishing, and production operations.
• Experience interpreting engineering drawings, bills of materials (BOMs), routings, and manufacturing documentation.
• Working knowledge of CAD software (SolidWorks, AutoCAD, or similar) and ERP systems.
• Knowledge of Design for Manufacturability (DFM) principles.
• Demonstrated experience applying Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.

PREFERRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

• Experience in office furniture, architectural products, storage systems, wood products, metal fabrication, or other engineered manufacturing environments.
• Experience supporting custom, engineered-to-order, configurable, or high-mix, low-volume manufacturing operations.
• Experience leading capital equipment installations or facility improvement projects.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, PMP certification, or other project management or continuous improvement certification.
• Experience with CNC manufacturing, automation, or configurable product systems.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

The starting base salary range for this position is $101,460 - $126,825 per year. The compensation posted is the anticipated pay for the position at the time of the posting. We may pay above or below posted amount based on several factors, including, but not limited to education and/or certifications, skills, experience, or work location. Some positions may qualify for additional compensation in the form of bonuses.

At LDI, we are pleased to provide employees with a comprehensive benefits package including health/dental/vision insurance options; paid time off; 10 paid holidays; 401(k) plus company matching and annual discretionary profit sharing; flexible spending and health savings account options; life and disability insurance; tuition assistance; wellness and mental health resources, and financial advising services. Eligibility in benefit programs is based on hours worked per week.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Regular sitting, standing, and walking throughout the day to accomplish tasks
• Manual and finger dexterity used regularly with some repetitive finger motions
• Ability to work in front of a computer screen for long periods of time
• Specific vision abilities include close and distance vision; able to identify colors, small letters, and numbers; hand/eye coordination, depth perception and able to adjust focus
• Hearing and speaking
• Other conditions may include frequent reaching, stretching, pushing, pulling, pinching, grasping, and gripping.

ABOUT OUR COMPANY

Comprised of multiple companies with headquarters in New Hope, Minnesota, Liberty Diversified International (LDI) is a privately held company employing more than 1,900 individuals across our manufacturing facilities, production facilities and core business operations in Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, Illinois, Mississippi, Texas, Arizona, Virginia, California, and Mexico. With deep roots in the corrugated box manufacturing industry, we operate in the core markets of paper, packaging, workplace products, corrugated plastics and building products.

Since 1918, our values – Caring, Innovation, Trust and Excellence – have guided our day-to-day activities. We believe that when our employees are aligned with these values, we create superior service and solutions for our customers. The LDI family of companies includes Liberty Packaging, Liberty Paper, Liberty Plastics (Custom Solutions and Quarrix Building Products) and Safco.

Liberty Diversified International is an equal opportunity employer and makes all employment decisions without regard to race, color, sex, religion, age, creed, sexual orientation, national origin, marital status, disability, or any other protected class.