Manufacturing Engineer

Manufacturing Engineer

The Manufacturing Engineer is responsible for optimizing manufacturing processes, supporting daily production operations, and leading a team of shop-floor employees. This role combines hands-on engineering expertise with frontline leadership to ensure safety, quality, delivery, and cost targets are met.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

Continually look for ways to improve the methods, practices and procedures within the area. Further, a positive work atmosphere must, also, be promoted through professional and effective conduct and communications with customers, clients, suppliers, and employees.

Operations & Process Engineering

Develop, improve, and standardize manufacturing processes, work instructions, and production methods.

Analyze production data to identify root causes of downtime, scrap, and quality defects; implement corrective actions.

Support new product introductions, equipment installations, and layout changes.

Lead or participate in process capability studies, time studies, and PFMEA activities.

Optimize tooling, fixturing, and equipment to increase throughput and reduce variation.

Production Supervision & Leadership

Provide daily direction, coaching, and performance feedback to assigned production team members.

Plan and allocate labor to meet production schedules and customer demand.

Ensure team compliance with safety procedures, quality standards, and company policies.

Support employee training, onboarding, and skill development.

Address personnel issues and escalate concerns appropriately.

Safety & Quality

Champion a culture of safety; conduct safety audits, hazard assessments, and near-miss investigations.

Collaborate with Quality to resolve non-conformances and implement error-proofing solutions.

Ensure equipment is properly maintained and safe for use; coordinate maintenance activities as needed.

Continuous Improvement

Lead kaizen activities focused on reducing waste, improving efficiency, and enhancing flow.

Apply Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies to drive measurable improvements.

Support cost-reduction initiatives through process changes, automation, and material improvements.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Coordinate with Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, Supply Chain, and HR to support operational goals.

Participate in daily production meetings and present data-driven updates on team performance.

Assist with capital project justification and payback analysis.

Meet with employees regularly to discuss their performance, with formal written performance reviews completed at least annually using the employee's job description as a basis for appraisal.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Industrial, Manufacturing, or related Engineering field required.

1–5+ years of experience in manufacturing or process engineering preferred.

Prior leadership or supervisory experience strongly preferred (team lead, supervisor, or project leader).

Strong understanding of Lean Manufacturing principles.

Proficient with CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, AutoCAD) and manufacturing documentation.

Experience with root cause analysis tools (5-Why, Fishbone, DMAIC).

Familiarity with ERP/MRP systems.