Manufacturing Engineer

The Manufacturing Engineer is responsible for optimizing manufacturing processes, supporting daily production operations, and leading a team of shop-floor employees. This role combines hands-on engineering expertise with frontline leadership to ensure safety, quality, delivery, and cost targets are met.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

Continually look for ways to improve the methods, practices and procedures within the area. Further, a positive work atmosphere must, also, be promoted through professional and effective conduct and communications with customers, clients, suppliers, and employees.

Operations & Process Engineering

• Develop, improve, and standardize manufacturing processes, work instructions, and production methods.

• Analyze production data to identify root causes of downtime, scrap, and quality defects; implement corrective actions.

• Support new product introductions, equipment installations, and layout changes.

• Lead or participate in process capability studies, time studies, and PFMEA activities.

• Optimize tooling, fixturing, and equipment to increase throughput and reduce variation.

Production Supervision & Leadership

• Provide daily direction, coaching, and performance feedback to assigned production team members.

• Plan and allocate labor to meet production schedules and customer demand.

• Ensure team compliance with safety procedures, quality standards, and company policies.

• Support employee training, onboarding, and skill development.

• Address personnel issues and escalate concerns appropriately.

Safety & Quality

• Champion a culture of safety; conduct safety audits, hazard assessments, and near-miss investigations.

• Collaborate with Quality to resolve non-conformances and implement error-proofing solutions.

• Ensure equipment is properly maintained and safe for use; coordinate maintenance activities as needed.

Continuous Improvement

• Lead kaizen activities focused on reducing waste, improving efficiency, and enhancing flow.

• Apply Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies to drive measurable improvements.

• Support cost-reduction initiatives through process changes, automation, and material improvements.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Coordinate with Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, Supply Chain, and HR to support operational goals.

• Participate in daily production meetings and present data-driven updates on team performance.

• Assist with capital project justification and payback analysis.

• Meet with employees regularly to discuss their performance, with formal written performance reviews completed at least annually using the employee's job description as a basis for appraisal.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Industrial, Manufacturing, or related Engineering field required.

• 1-5+ years of experience in manufacturing or process engineering preferred.

• Prior leadership or supervisory experience strongly preferred (team lead, supervisor, or project leader).

• Strong understanding of Lean Manufacturing principles.

• Proficient with CAD software (e.g., Solid Works, AutoCAD) and manufacturing documentation.

• Experience with root cause analysis tools (5-Why, Fishbone, DMAIC).

• Familiarity with ERP/MRP systems.