Senior Manufacturing Engineer

We have afantastic Sr. Manufacturing Engineer position with a rapidly growing aviation manufacturing and FAA repair business based out of Oswego/Aurora, IL. Pay is to 130/140K plus 5% bonus. Initial focus on facility relocation and process stabilization, with longer-term emphasis on continuous improvement. This role combines hands‑on engineering, lean process design, equipment maintenance and safety strategy, and technical troubleshooting to ensure a smooth transition and long‑term performance of production, repair, and testing systems.

The successful candidate must have an excellent technical aptitude, be analytical and detail oriented, and be able to thrive in a fast‑paced environment with a diverse product line.

• Design support at all stages of the design process from vetting to proposal, through design, manufacturing, and qualification testing until completion and product introduction.
• Lead and coordinate engineering activities for a full-site relocation, including logistics planning and the development of shop floor layouts using Lean principles to improve workflow, reduce waste, and optimize space utilization.
• Develop and maintain Manufacturing Orders (MO), Bill of Operations (BOO), and Bill of Materials (BOM) within electronic ERP system.
• Apply Lean manufacturing tools (5S, Kaizen, VSM, SMED, standardized work, visual controls) to improve efficiency and reduce variation.
• Write, review, train on, and support production with respect to SOP/SWI documents, product work instructions, and inspection processes.
• Collaborate with operations team to maintain or improve, KPIs such as TAT, FPY, and scrap/rework.
• Collaborate with QA team on root‑cause analysis and corrective action activities for quality, performance, and safety issues.

• Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing, Mechanical, Industrial Engineering, or related field required (advanced degree preferred).
• 7+ years of manufacturing engineering experience, ideally in the aviation/aerospace industry.
• Demonstrated experience leading or supporting a facility move, production line relocation, or major layout transformation.
• Strong hands‑on experience with equipment maintenance, troubleshooting, and reliability engineering.
• Proven track record implementing Lean manufacturing tools and driving continuous improvement.
• Knowledge of aviation quality and regulatory standards (AS9100, NADCAP, FAA) a plus.
• Solid understanding of workplace safety regulations and procedures - OSHA requirements, safety engineering principles, and compliant equipment/system design.
• Strong CAD, ERP/MRP, and data analysis skills.
• Excellent project management, communication, and cross‑functional leadership abilities.
• MUST be mechanically inclined with an eye for details.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products.
• Six Sigma Green/Black Belt or formal Lean certification preferred.
• Experience with CMMS systems and equipment reliability programs preferred.
• Background in CNC machining, composites, welding, aerospace assembly, or complex test systems preferred.
• Experience with APQP, PPAP, 8D, and structured problem‑solving methodologies preferred.
• Training or certification in safety (OSHA 30, NEBOSH, CSP, or equivalent safety engineering coursework) preferred.