Manufacturing Engineer

Blue Bird Fort Valley 402 Blue Bird Blvd Fort Valley, GA 31030, USA

Blue Bird (NASDAQ: BLBD) is a technology leader and innovator of school buses since its founding in 1927. Our dedicated team members design, engineer and manufacture school buses with a singular focus on safety, reliability, and durability. School buses carry the most precious cargo in the world – 25 million children twice a day – making them the most trusted mode of student transportation.

The company is the proven leader in low‑ and zero‑emission school buses with more than 25,000 propane, natural gas, and electric powered buses sold. Blue Bird is transforming the student transportation industry through cleaner energy solutions. For more information on Blue Bird’s complete product and service portfolio, visit

Reporting to the Director, Manufacturing Engineering, this role is responsible for optimizing production manufacturing processes through the leadership of complex, cross‑functional improvements that impact safety, quality, labor, throughput and delivery. The position operates with a level of autonomy as a project owner, leading projects from problem definition through sustainment, supporting technical direction and mentoring early‑career engineers.

• Serve as the Manufacturing Engineering line technical support for an assigned production area or value stream; accountable for sustained performance results
• Provide necessary tooling, routers, labor standards, raw material structure, process instructions and technical support for the timely implementation of engineering changes
• Accountable for achieving goals and objectives for the Manufacturing Engineering group and Operations organization
• Utilize PLM (Product Life‑Cycle Manager) system to review design changes, complete manufacturing impact assessments and drive implementation execution (timing, risk, labor, tooling, documentation)
• Independently identify, prioritize and lead a pipeline of improvements with measurable KPI impact (scrap/rework reduction, cycle time, labor hours, downtime, safety risk reduction)
• Develop business cases, write AFEs (CAPEX) for funding procurement
• Develop process changes/improvements using SPC, PFMEA, and control plans
• Utilize root cause analysis methodology to solve manufacturing issues
• Ensure work is compliant within an ISO 9000 quality system and produce documentation acceptable to the internal customer
• Document, communicate and report project progress and KPI outcomes to plant leadership; present clear recommendations
• Perform other related duties as assigned

• Balanced, dynamic, methodical approach; good work ethic, integrity, and professional conduct
• Positive attitude; foster teamwork; responsive to customer/Manufacturing issues
• Demonstrated ability to operate as an area owner with minimal direction and strong accountability for results and sustainment
• Effective written and verbal communication skills; administrative and financial skills; excellent problem solver; able to interact with personnel in other organizations
• Ability to read and interpret engineering prints/drawings and translate design intent into manufacturing execution
• Working knowledge of bus body and chassis assembly
• Program management and launch experience
• Use of measurement equipment (calipers, micrometers, etc.)
• Excellent planning and organization skills
• Competent user of MS Office products

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from an accredited university required
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in manufacturing engineering
• All candidates must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident

• CAD experience
• Demonstrated experience leading cross‑functional improvements impacting safety, quality, delivery, and cost, including sustainment/standardization
• Past experience in production supervision a plus
• Five years automotive experience preferred

• Manufacturing environment with exposure to heat, cold and noise
• Must be able to work with a diverse workforce
• Weekends and travel as required

• Medical, dental and vision insurance
• 14 paid holidays
• Vacation time
• 401(k) with match

Blue Bird is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions on the basis of merit. We strive to have the best available talent in every job based on the knowledge, skills and abilities each person brings. Blue Bird is committed to compliance with all applicable laws providing equal employment opportunities. This commitment applies to all persons involved in company operations and prohibits unlawful discrimination in all forms.

All candidates must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and must be authorized to work in the United States.