Manufacturing Engineer

Manufacturing Engineer

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced Manufacturing Engineer to support and improve manufacturing operations through process optimization, capital equipment implementation, and hands-on engineering support. This role will work with minimal supervision and be responsible for managing projects ranging from continuous improvement initiatives to the evaluation, justification, procurement, and implementation of new equipment.

The Manufacturing Engineer will collaborate closely with production, maintenance, quality, and engineering teams to improve productivity, increase capacity, enhance safety and quality, and maximize equipment reliability and uptime.

Key Responsibilities

Manufacturing & Production Support

• Provide direct support to manufacturing equipment, facilities, production processes, maintenance activities, and safety initiatives, spending approximately 50% of time supporting production operations.
• Troubleshoot equipment and process issues to minimize downtime and maintain operational efficiency.
• Work closely with operators, supervisors, maintenance personnel, and quality teams to improve processes and equipment performance.
• Train and mentor operators and setters on equipment setup, operation, preventive maintenance, and troubleshooting techniques.

Project Engineering & Capital Equipment

• Design, develop, test, source, justify, purchase, and implement tooling, fixtures, machinery, equipment modifications, and production systems.
• Lead projects from concept through evaluation, financial justification, procurement, installation, and validation.
• Create and execute project plans while managing project timelines and budgets.
• Monitor equipment and tooling accuracy and ensure proper functionality.

Continuous Improvement

• Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on safety, quality, reliability, throughput, capacity, and cost reduction.
• Develop and implement Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) action plans.
• Apply Lean Manufacturing principles to drive operational excellence.
• Support new product launches and ongoing cost improvement projects with goals of achieving:
• 95% operational availability
• Less than 1% scrap
• Zero customer quality issues

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Product Engineers to ensure manufacturability and cost-effectiveness of new product designs.
• Participate in and lead cross-functional problem-solving teams.
• Create, review, and approve Work Process Instructions (WPIs).
• Develop process documentation, process flow diagrams, and PFMEA documentation while meeting IATF 16949 and APQP requirements.

Contractor & Facility Management

• Coordinate and supervise outside contractors, including:
• Electrical
• Mechanical
• PLC Programming
• Construction
• Plumbing
• HVAC
• Building Services
• Support facility upgrades, equipment installations, and infrastructure improvements.

Safety & Compliance

• Investigate and document safety incidents and prepare incident reports.
• Promote and reinforce safe work practices throughout the facility.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, customer requirements, and all applicable state and federal regulations.
• Monitor tooling consumption and address abnormalities proactively.

Education & Experience Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in:
• Manufacturing Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Industrial Engineering
• Related Engineering Discipline
• Minimum of seven (7) years of engineering experience.
• At least five (5) years of Manufacturing Engineering experience in a production environment.

Required Skills & Qualifications

Manufacturing & Technical Knowledge

• Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes including:
• Machining
• Broaching
• Piercing
• Secondary Operations
• Precision Assembly
• Experience with tool design, fixture design, and gage design.
• Understanding of process capabilities, materials, and production requirements.

Project Management

• Proven experience managing:
• Large-scale manufacturing projects
• Capital equipment purchases and installations
• New product introductions
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize multiple projects and work independently.

Problem Solving & Continuous Improvement

• Experience utilizing structured problem-solving methodologies such as:
• Shainin
• Design of Experiments (DOE)
• Six Sigma
• 8D Problem Solving
• Strong continuous improvement mindset with the ability to influence and lead change.

Technical Skills

• Proficiency with:
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Access
• CAD Software (Siemens NX preferred)
• Experience with:
• Statistical analysis
• Process control
• Cost analysis
• Technical writing
• Blueprint reading

Manufacturing Systems Knowledge

• Working knowledge of:
• Facilities and plant engineering
• Pneumatics
• Electronics
• Engineering controls
• Cost estimating
• Time studies and work sampling
• Product and process rationalization

Lean Manufacturing

Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing principles and tools, including:

• 5S
• Kaizen
• Kanban
• Poka-Yoke
• Process Mapping
• Value Stream Mapping

Communication & Leadership

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Collaborative team player with strong leadership abilities.
• Ability to work effectively with all levels of the organization.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with ISO 14001 and IATF 16949 quality systems.
• Knowledge of Automotive AIAG Core Tools:
• PFMEA
• Control Plans
• PPAP
• MSA
• SPC
• PLC Programming experience.
• APQP experience.