Manufacturing Engineer

Job Description

Position Overview

We're seeking a hands-on Manufacturing Engineer who enjoys solving real production challenges through practical engineering solutions. This role is integral to process development, tooling, New Product Introduction (NPI), sustaining engineering, manufacturing systems, and continuous improvement initiatives that improve throughput, quality, margin, and operational scalability. The Manufacturing Engineer ensures effective communication between Engineering, Quality, Planning, and Operations to ensure products are launched successfully, built efficiently, and continuously improved throughout their lifecycle.

Responsibilities

• Develop practical solutions to real production challenges
• Design and build production tooling, fixtures, jigs, gauges, and shop aids
• Develop and build 3D printed tooling and rapid prototypes
• Improve work cell efficiency, ergonomics, and production flow
• Support and/or lead New Product Introduction from design release through stable production launch
• Develop manufacturing process flows, readiness plans, and launch activities for new products
• Support sustaining engineering activities including yield improvement, process optimization, obsolescence management, and ongoing production support
• Drive Design for Manufacturability (DFM) feedback with Engineering and customers
• Support product transfers and production scale-up activities
• Create, maintain, and improve manufacturing process documentation including routers, work instructions, setup sheets, visual aids, and process standards
• Coordinate Engineering Change Order (ECO) implementation and controlled release into production
• Develop and maintain manufacturing bills of material and production master data within ECI Max ERP
• Establish and improve process validation and first article practices
• Partner with Quality on nonconformance investigations, root cause analysis, corrective \& preventive actions
• Support QMS \& AS9100 compliance activities
• Develop PFMEA, control plans, and process risk mitigation activities where appropriate
• Support quoting, manufacturing feasibility reviews, and production readiness
• Maintain and validate labor standards, routings, setup assumptions, and capacity planning inputs
• Lead cost reduction and margin improvement initiatives through process optimization, labor reduction, yield improvement, and manufacturability improvements
• Evaluate and implement manufacturing technologies and automation opportunities
• Train production personnel on released processes and engineering changes
• Support Engineering and Operations with technical problem solving

What Success Looks Like After 12 Months

• Successful launch and stabilization of multiple NPI projects into production
• Manufacturing documentation standardized and maintained across assigned processes
• Improved production flow and measurable throughput gains
• Reduced scrap, rework, and setup time
• Improved process capability and reduction in quality escapes
• Successful ECO implementation with minimal production disruption
• Improved routing accuracy and labor standards supporting better scheduling and quoting performance
• Increased use of rapid prototyping and practical automation solutions
• Measurable margin improvement through manufacturing efficiency initiatives
• Strong audit readiness and cross-functional collaboration

Example Projects You May Work On

• Design custom coil and cable assembly tooling
• Develop mistake-proofing fixtures and error prevention systems
• Improve workstation layouts to reduce labor content
• Develop 3D printed inspection gauges
• Reduce setup time on repetitive manufacturing processes
• Launch new aerospace and medical programs into production
• Improve labor standards and routing accuracy within ERP
• Evaluate semi-automation opportunities
• Develop production documentation standards

Ideal Candidate Profile

• Naturally curious about how things are made
• Enjoys building solutions
• Comfortable moving between CAD and the shop floor
• Takes initiative and drives projects to completion
• Practical problem solver
• Enjoys technical variety
• Strong communicator across departments
• Comfortable balancing technical and administrative responsibilities

Technical Background We Value

• Experience designing and building manufacturing tooling
• Hands-on machining and/or fabrication experience
• Experience leading NPI and transition from design into production
• Experience supporting sustaining engineering in a high-mix manufacturing environment
• Experience creating work instructions and manufacturing documentation
• Experience with ECO and document control processes
• Experience with ERP systems and manufacturing master data
• Experience establishing labor standards and manufacturing routings
• Demonstrated success executing cost reduction and productivity projects
• Working knowledge of AS9100, CAPA, NCR, and quality systems
• Understanding of PFMEA, control plans, SPC, and root cause methodologies
• Strong mechanical aptitude
• SolidWorks or Inventor experience
• Additive manufacturing experience
• Understanding of GD\&T (ASME Y14\.5)
• Lean manufacturing knowledge

Education and Experience

• Minimum education: Associates degree or equivalent in Manufacturing, Mechanical, Industrial, Electrical Engineering, or similar
• 3\+ years of manufacturing engineering or technical manufacturing experience preferred
• Experience supporting production environments required
• Experience in high-mix, low-volume manufacturing preferred

Notes:

Looking for hands-on Manufacturing Engineer with 3\+ years of production experience, strong NPI, tooling/fixture design, process improvement, and manufacturing documentation skills. Experience in high-mix manufacturing, ERP systems, CAD (SolidWorks/Inventor), and AS9100 environments.

Target industries: Aerospace, medical device, electronics, cable assembly, coil winding.