Manufacturing Engineer – Plant Launch​/Automation

At a glance

Company: Virnig Manufacturing
Location: Fort Madison, IA 52627, USA
Pay: $76,000–$85,000 per year
Job Type: Full-Time
Role Focus: New plant launch, manufacturing processes, tooling and automation
Education: Engineering degree or equivalent relevant experience

This is a chance to help launch and shape a new manufacturing operation rather than simply maintain an established process. Virnig Manufacturing is expanding into Fort Madison, and the Manufacturing Engineer will be central to installing equipment, starting production processes and building the systems the facility will use as it grows.

You will combine engineering analysis with hands‑on factory‑floor work: troubleshooting equipment, designing tooling and fixtures, improving flow, supporting quality and training production employees. The role offers direct visibility into capital equipment, automation, process documentation and operational decisions. Virnig manufactures durable steel attachments for compact equipment, so your work will translate quickly into tangible products and measurable improvements.

• Lead installation, startup and stabilization of manufacturing equipment and processes
• Develop, evaluate, improve and document manufacturing processes
• Design processes, fixtures and tooling for new products, product changes and production improvements
• Support quality‑at‑the‑source methods and documented quality controls
• Audit process flows for safety, quality, delivery and cost improvements
• Troubleshoot production equipment and technical issues with Operations and Maintenance
• Own and maintain accurate ERP production routers
• Estimate staffing, cycle times, capital requirements and comparative costs
• Develop technical training and standard processes for production employees
• Create project timelines and deliver milestones on schedule
• Collaborate with Design Engineering, Production, Maintenance and management

• Manufacturing equipment installation and startup
• Production tooling and fixture design
• CAD software; 3D modeling preferred
• Production ERP routers
• Microsoft Windows and Office applications
• Manufacturing automation and process documentation

• Help launch a new manufacturing operation
• Hands‑on engineering role with direct production support
• Capital equipment and automation implementation
• Tooling and fixture design
• Cross‑functional work with production, design and maintenance
• Lean and continuous‑improvement focus
• Benefits and 401(k) employer match
• Growth and development opportunities

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience
• Manufacturing‑engineering experience, including exposure to quality‑control processes
• Strong mechanical aptitude and hands‑on troubleshooting ability
• Ability to develop, document and improve manufacturing processes
• Strong organization, communication and project‑prioritization skills
• Proficiency with Windows and Microsoft Office
• Willingness to adjust schedules when production support requires it

Preferred

• Lean‑manufacturing and continuous‑improvement experience
• CAD and 3D‑modeling experience
• Manufacturing automation or capital‑equipment implementation experience
• Tooling and fixture design experience
• ERP routing or production‑system experience

• Build processes for a new facility from the ground up
• Balance engineering design with hands‑on manufacturing work
• Influence equipment, automation, tooling, quality and training
• Work directly with leaders and production teams
• Medical, dental and vision insurance
• 401(k) with employer match
• Paid vacation and holidays
• Disability coverage, life insurance and employee assistance
• Opportunities for growth and…