Position Summary
The Manufacturing Engineer is responsible for developing, implementing, and continuously improving manufacturing processes to enhance safety, quality, productivity, and cost performance. This role works closely with Production, Quality, Maintenance, Supply Chain, and Engineering teams to optimize operations, support new product introductions, troubleshoot manufacturing issues, and drive continuous improvement initiatives throughout the plant.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Process Improvement
- Analyze manufacturing processes and identify opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and increase throughput.
- Develop and implement process improvements using Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement methodologies.
- Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and recommend corrective actions to achieve operational goals.
- Conduct time studies, workflow analyses, and capacity assessments.
Manufacturing Support
- Provide day-to-day engineering support for production operations.
- Investigate process deviations, equipment performance issues, and product quality concerns.
- Develop and maintain process documentation, standard work instructions, and operating procedures.
- Support root cause analysis and corrective action activities.
Equipment and Tooling
- Specify, design, procure, and implement manufacturing equipment, tooling, fixtures, and workstations.
- Improve equipment reliability and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).
- Support installation, commissioning, validation, and startup of new equipment.
Quality and Compliance
- Partner with Quality teams to improve product quality and reduce defects.
- Ensure manufacturing processes comply with company standards, customer requirements, and regulatory guidelines.
- Participate in audits and support corrective and preventive action initiatives.
Project Management
- Lead or participate in capital improvement and cost-reduction projects.
- Manage project timelines, budgets, and deliverables.
- Coordinate activities with vendors, contractors, and cross-functional teams.
New Product Introduction (NPI)
- Support design reviews to ensure manufacturability.
- Develop manufacturing processes for new products and product changes.
- Establish process parameters, tooling requirements, and production standards.
Safety
- Promote a culture of safety and continuous improvement.
- Identify and mitigate safety risks within manufacturing processes.
- Ensure compliance with all company safety policies and procedures.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical field.
- 3+ years of manufacturing engineering experience in a production environment.
- Experience with Solid Works software and manufacturing process design.
- Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes, equipment, and production systems.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills.
- Excellent communication and teamwork abilities.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with Lean Manufacturing principles and continuous improvement methodologies.
- Knowledge of automation systems, industrial controls, and process optimization.
- Hands-on experience with PLC programming, troubleshooting, and commissioning.
- Experience with Allen-Bradley (Rockwell), Siemens, Mitsubishi, Omron, or similar PLC platforms.
- Working knowledge of HMI development and SCADA systems.
- Experience with industrial robots, robotic cells, and automated manufacturing equipment.
- Programming and troubleshooting experience with KUKA or similar robotic systems.
- Familiarity with robotic vision systems, end-of-arm tooling (EOAT), and robotic integration projects.
- Experience supporting automation projects from concept through implementation and validation.
- Knowledge of industrial communication protocols such as Ethernet/IP, Profinet, DeviceNet, Modbus, and OPC-UA.
Key Competencies
- Safety Focus
- Continuous Improvement Mindset
- Root Cause Analysis
- Project Management
- Data Analysis
- Process Optimization
- Problem Solving
- Leadership and Influence
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Technical Communication
Physical Requirements
- Ability to work in a manufacturing environment.
- Frequent walking, standing, and occasional lifting up to 50 pounds.
- Ability to access production equipment and manufacturing areas as required.