Manufacturing Engineer

Manufacturing Engineer

The Manufacturing Engineer supports a fast-paced production environment by troubleshooting line stoppages, driving continuous improvement, and implementing robust processes that directly impact products designed to protect lives. This role blends hands-on work on the manufacturing floor with analytical problem solving, partnering closely with production, maintenance, controls, R&D, and quality teams to improve reliability, reduce downtime, and sustain high output and quality standards.

Responsibilities:

• Troubleshoot and address production line stoppages to restore flow quickly and minimize downtime.
• Analyze root causes of production issues and implement effective solutions that improve reliability and reduce recurring problems.
• Partner with production leadership and operators to sustain output levels while meeting or exceeding quality requirements.
• Maintain and update process documentation, including standard work instructions and troubleshooting procedures, to ensure consistency and clarity.
• Develop and manage process controls and control plans that support stable, repeatable manufacturing operations.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives using structured methodologies and data-driven decision making.
• Apply problem-solving tools such as 5-Why and 8D to investigate and resolve complex production challenges.
• Work closely with maintenance and controls teams to improve equipment performance, reliability, and maintainability.
• Identify and engage vendors, assisting in the development of specifications for tooling, equipment, and materials.
• Design and implement fixtures and tooling that minimize defects, improve throughput, and control production costs.
• Document tooling designs and equipment concepts in coordination with R&D and quality teams to ensure alignment and traceability.
• Source, install, and validate new equipment and process tools to support production improvements and automation initiatives.
• Support the Finishing Value Stream, including CNC machining, adhesion, application of Velcro, paint preparation and painting, assembly, and packaging.
• Lead or support root cause analysis activities and implement corrective and preventive actions to address process and quality issues.
• Integrate engineering principles related to pneumatics, hydraulics, material properties, PLCs, electro-mechanical systems, and heat transfer into process and equipment solutions.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement Lean manufacturing practices such as SMED, line balancing, and single-piece flow.
• Adapt to an environment with evolving processes, ambiguity, and limited structure by proactively defining, refining, and standardizing workflows.
• Balance time between the manufacturing floor and desk-based engineering work, typically spending the majority of time directly supporting operations.

Essential

Skills:

• Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing, Mechanical, Chemical, or Industrial Engineering.
• 3 plus years of manufacturing or process engineering experience.
• Manufacturing engineering experience with a focus on production processes and continuous improvement.
• Process engineering experience, including development, optimization, and control of manufacturing processes.
• Hands-on experience with root cause analysis to diagnose and resolve production issues.
• Solid Works design experience for tooling, fixtures, and equipment concepts.
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot production processes and equipment in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to apply engineering principles and knowledge of pneumatics, hydraulics, material properties, PLCs, electro-mechanical systems, and heat transfer.
• Working knowledge of Lean manufacturing principles, including SMED, line balancing, and single-piece flow.
• Experience using root cause analysis tools such as 5-Why and 8D.

Additional Skills &

Qualifications:

• Ability to lead root cause analysis activities and drive implementation of corrective and preventive actions.
• In-depth knowledge of Lean manufacturing principles, methodologies, and continuous improvement tools.
• Experience with composites and adhesive processes.
• ERP/MES integration experience for routings, bills of materials (BOMs), and process improvement.
• Experience with manufacturing process development, tooling design, machining, and fabrication.
• Comfort working in an environment where processes are not fully defined and require clarification and standardization.
• Experience supporting or implementing automation within a manufacturing facility.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced production environment.

Work Environment:

The role is based in a recently remodeled, extremely clean manufacturing facility focused on developing advanced head protection systems for high-impact, mission-critical applications. The environment is fast paced and hands-on, with approximately 60% of time spent on the manufacturing floor and 40% at a desk performing design, analysis, documentation, and coordination activities. The…