Manufacturing Engineer II

Manufacturing Engineer II

The Manufacturing Engineer II plays a key role in developing and improving products, designs, and manufacturing processes from initial concept through final implementation. This position works on a variety of small-scale engineering projects with varying scope and complexity, ensuring they are completed on time and within budget. The role involves hands-on work in a production environment, close collaboration with experienced team members, and the application of engineering principles to deliver innovative, practical solutions.

Responsibilities

• Lead small-scale engineering projects (under $100K) from concept through implementation, ensuring alignment with budget, schedule, and quality objectives.
• Secure buy-in and technical approval from engineers and other stakeholders for project plans, designs, and process changes.
• Independently diagnose and resolve production issues using expertise in one or more technical disciplines such as rubber, fabrication, forming, coatings, castings, or machining.
• Develop, document, and execute testing protocols, incorporating input from team members to validate designs and processes.
• Define quality expectations for products and processes and implement quality assurance procedures to ensure compliance with internal and external standards.
• Create, update, and maintain comprehensive production documentation, including work instructions, QA matrices, bills of materials, and detailed production procedures.
• Apply root cause analysis and structured problem-solving methods to address process deviations, defects, and equipment issues.
• Drive process improvement and continuous improvement initiatives using lean manufacturing tools such as 5S, value stream mapping, and key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Support tooling design, selection, and optimization to improve manufacturability, efficiency, and product quality.
• Collaborate with procurement and other cross-functional teams to ensure materials, tooling, and equipment meet project and production requirements.
• Use Solid Works and other engineering tools to develop, modify, and optimize designs for manufacturability and performance.
• Contribute to DFMEA and other risk assessment activities to identify potential failure modes and implement preventive actions.
• Participate in troubleshooting activities on the production floor, including working with press brakes, jigs, and other manufacturing equipment.
• Support and promote a culture of safety, quality, and continuous improvement within the production environment.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 4+ years of experience in mechanical engineering.
• Demonstrated experience leading engineering or manufacturing projects from concept to implementation.
• Strong project management skills, including planning, organizing, and tracking progress against timelines and budgets.
• Proven troubleshooting and problem-solving abilities in a production or manufacturing environment.
• Hands-on proficiency with hand tools and power tools used in industrial and manufacturing settings.
• Practical experience in one or more technical disciplines such as rubber, fabrication, forming, coatings, castings, or machining.
• Experience with metal forming, metal casting, metal fabrication, metal bending, CNC machining, and welding.
• Proficiency with Solid Works for design and process-related tasks.
• Experience applying root cause analysis techniques to resolve production and quality issues.
• Working knowledge of lean manufacturing principles and tools, including 5S, value stream mapping, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Ability to define and track QA metrics and KPIs to monitor process performance and quality.
• Strong communication skills to collaborate effectively with engineers, production staff, and cross-functional teams.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with DFMEA (Design Failure Mode and Effects Analysis) or similar risk assessment tools.
• Familiarity with Six Sigma concepts and methodologies for process improvement.
• Experience in process improvement initiatives within manufacturing environments.
• Experience with tooling design, selection, and optimization for manufacturing processes.
• Exposure to procurement activities related to materials, tooling, and production equipment.
• Experience working with press brakes, jigs, and other specialized manufacturing fixtures.
• Comfort working in a fast-paced, hands-on production environment where priorities may shift.
• Ability to document processes clearly and accurately, including work instructions, QA matrices, and bills of materials.

Work Environment

This role is based in a production and industrial manufacturing environment where engineers work directly on the shop floor and engage closely with equipment, materials, and production teams. The work is hands-on and can be physically demanding, and it is common for clothing to become soiled with grease or other industrial residues during daily…