Senior Manufacturing Engineer

Be yourself at Protolabs

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. We are an equal opportunity employer, and we are committed to building a diverse team that feels they are valued in the workplace. So do you feel you do not meet every single requirement but still intrigued? We encourage you to still apply! You can help make our company even better. We do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, age, mental or physical ability, or any way you represent yourself. We strongly believe diversity makes for more successful teams.


Why Protolabs?

We are the leaders in digital manufacturing. We hire doers, makers, and creative thinkers who tackle our roles with an entrepreneurial spirit. Our culture is centered around meaningful work that brings new and innovative products to market at unprecedented speeds. We are a diverse team that comes from all walks of life and take pride in our team who is smart, genuine, humble, and passionate about what we do. It's our people who fuel our creativity and make our culture feel like home.


Join our team as a Senior Manufacturing Engineer!

The Senior Manufacturing Engineer leads the development and implementation of production processes that reliably produce parts to specification at the lowest reasonable cost. They translate product designs into robust, repeatable manufacturing workflows, select and validate tools and equipment, define work instructions and quality controls, and drive continuous improvement to raise yield, reduce cycle time, and lower scrap and overhead. They collaborate with design, quality, supply chain and production teams to ensure new and existing products meet safety, regulatory and customer expectations while staying on schedule and budget.

What you will do

• Lead cross-disciplinary teams developing and improving manufacturing processes. Identify opportunities for cost saving or expanded capabilities using data analysis, brainstorming, and other techniques. Develop competing concepts and apply analytical techniques to support decision processes. Design and develop tooling strategies for new processes.
• Perform research, design and development of manufacturing processes including production flow, assembly methods and production equipment.
• Troubleshoot production problems as needed. Identify manufacturing bottlenecks and quality issues. Identify potential design improvements and alternatives.
• Perform product/process analysis for cost reduction, quality improvement and efficiency improvement.
• Identify opportunities and develop implementation plans for projects which improve manufacturing floor processes.
• Participate in and lead lean manufacturing initiatives (e.g. kaizen events, 5S events).
• Perform root cause analysis of situations and implement corrective actions.
• Independently evaluate, select, and adapt standard techniques, procedures and criteria.
• Work on a major project or several projects of large scope and features. Long range planning on multiple major projects including tracking and budgeting. Works on programs of medium-high complexity and scope.
• Technical Subject Matter Expert on multiple systems and with a detailed understanding of how multiple systems interact. Professional abilities and technical accomplishments are documented within the department, organization and the professional community.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

What it takes

• 10+ years of CNC lathe experience
• Mill-Turn experience preferred
• Experience with automating CNC lathe processes
• Experience with CMM and other inspection methods
• Familiar with GD&T
• Able to trouble shoot machining related issues and determine root cause
• Machine and process validation
• Capability analysis
• Process development, production readiness, and handoff to production

Bonus points for

• Advanced written and oral communication skills: able to communicate complex technical information to all levels of the organization, able to clearly present data in written and verbal form
• Strong problem solving and analytical skills; familiarity of problem-solving tools and resources (FMEA, Pareto, Cause & Effect diagrams)
• Strong attention to detail and experience with managing project documents and producing quality content.
• Ability to take initiative and work independently
• Self-motivated and self-directed with high sense of urgency
• Able to work in a fast-paced, team-oriented work environment
• Ability to coach and mentor colleagues
• Strong time management skills with the ability to successfully perform within a project framework including defined deliverables and time frames
• Concurrently solve immediate issues while maintaining a vision of the future

What is in it for you

• We offer amazing benefits including but not limited to:
• Health Insurance: Traditional OR High Deductible plan
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Health Savings Account (including employer contributions)
• Dental and Vision
• Basic and Supplemental Life Insurance
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
• Paid caregiver leave
• You will receive at least 3 weeks of PTO, Holiday Pay, and Volunteer Hours
• 401k with company match and immediate vest
• Employee Stock Purchase Program at a discounted rate
• Matching grants through Protolabs foundation
• And More!

$99,900 - $149,900 a year

Protolabs offers a competitive total rewards package, and compensation mix vary based on position, such as base wage, as well as other earnings including incentives and commissions. Actual pay offered will vary depending on multiple factors which may include, without limitation, job function, work experience, specialized skills, training, education, and certifications.


Proto Labs maintains ITAR-compliant operations in all of our United States based facilities. Due to ITAR regulations, this role is only open to U.S. Citizens, lawful permanent residents (green card holders) or foreign nationals granted refugee or asylee status. Individuals with temporary visas (e.g. E, F-1, H-1, H-2, L, B, J, TN or OPT) are not eligible for hire in this role.

Proto Labs, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Physical Demands:

While performing the essential duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to sit; use a computer keyboard, monitor and mouse, telephone and printer; reach with hands, and arms, talk, see and hear. The employee is regularly required to stand, walk, stoop or kneel and must be able to lift and/or move up to 70 pounds.


Work Environment:

Indoors (A/C); nonsmoking; the majority of this job function is performed in a manufacturing area exposed to machinery and noise; with eye protection and safety shoes required. Occasionally works in outside weather conditions. Occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.