Manufacturing Engineer - Industrial Powder Coating SME ($130k Base)

Manufacturing Engineer – Industrial Powder Coating SME ($130k Base)Up to $130,485 Base Salary • Knoxville, TN Area • 100% OnsiteCOMPENSATION: Up to $130,485 Starting Base Salary (commensurate with expertise) + comprehensive corporate benefits.TRAVEL REQUIREMENT: Initial 30% – 50% travel to existing East Coast manufacturing sites during facility onboarding and ramp-up, reducing significantly once the new Knoxville campus is fully operational.EXPERIENCE DEPTH: 3–5 years (Level II) OR 6–9+ years (Senior) of manufacturing engineering experience with dedicated technical depth in industrial wet paint and powder coating processes.TECHNICAL STACK: Powder coat line optimization, pre-treatment chemistry, CAD proficiency, plant layout, Lean manufacturing, and ERP platforms (SAP).COMPANY PROFILE: Globally recognized, family-owned HVAC equipment OEM celebrating 75+ years of growth, $1B+ in revenue, and extraordinary stability (only one layoff in its 76-year history).REQUIREMENTS / COMPLIANCE: US Citizen or Green Card holder; 2-year Associate Degree required (4-year Engineering Degree preferred); relocation to Knoxville within 6 months.If you are a Manufacturing Engineer with specialized expertise in industrial paint and powder coating operations, this direct-hire role offers a high-impact seat within an expanding global leader. The employer is a family-owned, $1B+ commercial HVAC and air-movement equipment manufacturer that has been in business for over 75 years. Known for an award-winning culture that heavily reinvests profits back into state-of-the-art facilities, new equipment, and employee development, the company maintains extraordinary career stability (only one single layoff in its 76-year history).This position sits at the forefront of a multi-million-dollar expansion as the company builds out its campus in the Knoxville, TN area. Serving as the primary subject matter expert for all powder coating and finishing operations, you will lead equipment selection, process design, and line optimization for brand-new, high-efficiency manufacturing systems.What You Will Be Doing (Daily Responsibilities)Serve as Subject Matter Expert (SME): Provide primary technical leadership, daily troubleshooting, and training for all industrial powder coating, pre-treatment, and finishing operations.Lead Capital & Equipment Projects: Identify, justify, specify, and oversee the installation of new coating line equipment, spray booths, curing ovens, and automated material handling systems.Drive Process & Line Optimization: Establish operational KPIs, optimize chemical/coating utilization, improve line speeds, reduce scrap, and advance environmental sustainability goals.Cross-Functional Design Alignment: Collaborate directly with Product Design Engineering to evaluate parts for finish quality, powder adhesion, and manufacturability.Implement Lean & Safety Standards: Lead 5S, safety, and Lean continuous improvement initiatives, authoring standardized operating procedures (SOPs) and line workflows.Support Initial Site Ramp-Up: Participate in temporary regional travel (30%–50%) to sister facilities during early-phase onboarding and line testing prior to full Knoxville operational launch.What We Are Looking For (Requirements & Qualifications)Level II Experience: 3 to 5 years of manufacturing engineering experience with active hands-on proficiency in CAD, Lean tools, and industrial finishing systems.Senior Level Experience: 6 to 9+ years of manufacturing engineering experience with deep expertise in powder coat line architecture, advanced plant layout, and SAP/ERP systems.Powder Coating Technical Depth: Proven capability troubleshooting coat thickness, surface pre-treatment chemistries, cure times, conveyor dynamics, and finish quality standards.Educational Foundation: Associate Degree in Engineering, Industrial Technology, or related discipline required; 4-year Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering (BSME, BSIE, or similar) strongly preferred.Travel & Relocation Readiness: Willingness to travel 30%–50% during initial ramp-up phases and relocate to the Knoxville, TN area within a 6-month window (relocation assistance provided).Work Authorization: Must be a US Citizen or Green Card holder.Preferred Technical Assets (Bonus Skills)HVAC / Sheet Metal Experience: Prior process engineering background in high-volume commercial HVAC, sheet metal, or structural enclosure manufacturing.Automated Spray Systems: Direct experience configuring and troubleshooting robotic or automated reciprocal powder application systems.Environmental & Chemical Compliance: Familiarity with local and federal EPA standards, VOC monitoring, and wastewater treatment protocols associated with finishing lines.