Industrial Manufacturing Engineer

We have an outstanding career opportunity for an Industrial Manufacturing Engineer to join a leading  Company located in the Columbus, NE surrounding area.

We are seeking a skilled and motivated Industrial Manufacturing Engineer to support the design, optimization, and continuous improvement of manufacturing processes for hydraulic cylinder production. This role will work closely with production, quality, and design teams to improve efficiency, ensure product quality, and drive cost-effective manufacturing solutions.

Manufacturing Engineers are responsible for designing, developing, and optimizing manufacturing processes for hydraulic cylinder production, with a focus on welding, machining, assembly, testing, and painting operations. This role supports New Product Introduction and continuous improvement initiatives by applying strong technical expertise, Lean Manufacturing principles, and hands-on problem-solving skills. The engineer will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to ensure manufacturability, improve process capability, enhance workflow efficiency, and integrate new technologies including automation, robotics, and AI.  

Additional responsibilities include conducting  time and motion  studies, maintaining  ISO
9001  documentation, managing engineering data, optimizing plant layouts, and training production personnel.  This position requires a mature, adaptable engineer with strong communication skills and the ability to thrive in a dynamic precision manufacturing environment.

Job Responsibilities:

+  Design, develop, and optimize manufacturing processes for welding, assembly, testing, and painting of hydraulic cylinders  in  support  of  New Product Introduction.

+  Conduct methods, motion, and time studies for machining, welding, assembly, testing, and painting processes to identify productivity improvements.

+  Implement Lean Manufacturing principles to reduce waste and improve productivity, driving Continuous  Improvement

+  Facilitate the adoption of new technologies, including automation, robotics, and AI systems for shop floor and management processes.

+  Collaborate with cross-functional teams (Design, Quality, Production, Maintenance) to ensure manufacturability and process capability.

+  Create and update Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Work Instructions.

+  Develop and implement procedures  for calculating  efficiencies at each work center and initiate actions to improve low-performing areas in cylinder manufacturing.

+  Develop and maintain plant layout and workflow optimization for new and existing production lines.

+  Apply knowledge in CNC machines and programming to support machining operations.

+  Utilize understanding of hydraulic systems, preferably hydraulic cylinders, in process design and troubleshooting.

+  Use Value Stream Mapping (VSM) to optimize layout, labor efficiency, and cost effectiveness.

+  Manage engineering data, including BOMs, cycle times, and consumables (tools, inserts, welding wires, coolants, jigs, and fixtures).

+  Maintain ISO
9001 documentation and ensure compliance.

+  Lead the design and implementation of material handling and logistics systems to support efficient manufacturing flow.

+  Demonstrate agility in learning and adapting to evolving processes and technologies.

+  Facilitate technology and best  practice transfer of  hydraulic cylinder manufacturing from other Wipro global facilities.

+  Support root cause analysis and corrective actions for process-related issues.

+  Monitor and report KPIs related to process performance, quality, and efficiency.

+  Train production staff on new processes.

+  Develop, implement, and optimize manufacturing processes for hydraulic cylinder components and assemblies.

+  Support machining, welding, and assembly operations (CNC, honing, robotic/manual welding).

+  Continuous improvement initiatives using Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies.

+  Conduct root cause analysis and implement corrective/preventive actions (CAPA)  om  your projects.

+  Collaborate with design engineering on new product introduction (NPI) and manufacturability.

+  Analyze production data to improve throughput, reduce waste, and optimize cycle times.

+  Ensure compliance with quality standards (e.g., ISO 9001).

+  Assist in tooling design, equipment selection, and process validation.

+  Support project planning, timelines, and cross-functional coordination.

Basic Hiring Criteria:

+  Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or Industrial Engineering.

+  5-8 years of experience in an industrial manufacturing environment.

+  Minimum 3+ years of experience in manufacturing or process engineering roles.

+  Hydraulic manufacturing experience preferred. Automotive experience is a plus.

+  Strong  team , coordination, and communication skills.

+  Manufacturing process design for welding, machining, assembly, testing, and painting.

+  Hydraulic systems knowledge, preferably hydraulic…