Manufacturing Engineer

Manufacturing Engineer

The Manufacturing Engineer plays a key role in developing and integrating trailer products into production while driving continuous improvement across fabrication, assembly, and machining operations. This position combines hands-on work on the shop floor with technical engineering responsibilities, ensuring that designs are manufacturable, processes are efficient, and communication flows effectively between engineering, operations, and supply chain partners.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate closely with production operators, supervisors, and engineering staff to integrate new and existing products into manufacturing, spending approximately 60–70% of time on the shop floor.
• Conduct time studies and workflow analyses to understand current processes, identify bottlenecks, and recommend improvements in productivity, cost, and responsiveness.
• Develop and refine manufacturing processes for metal fabrication, including structural tubing, plate cutting and forming, and welding operations, with a focus on large weldments and assemblies.
• Create and maintain 3D CAD models and detailed 2D drawings for large weldments, ensuring accuracy, clarity, and alignment with manufacturing capabilities.
• Apply engineering principles such as Design for Assembly (DFA), GD&T per ASME standards, Design Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (DFMEA), and Engineering Change (EC) processes to support robust product and process design.
• Manage and support engineering deviations and change documentation to ensure controlled and traceable updates to products and processes.
• Work with ERP systems to develop and maintain accurate bills of materials (BOMs) and routings that reflect real-world manufacturing steps and resource requirements.
• Support and improve large assembly processes, ensuring efficient sequencing, tooling, and material flow through the production environment.
• Collaborate with CNC machining operations to align part designs, tolerances, and fixtures with machining capabilities and productivity targets.
• Engage in simultaneous engineering efforts with strategic supply chain partners to ensure manufacturability, cost-effectiveness, and quality throughout the product lifecycle.
• Incorporate regulatory considerations into the engineering and design process, including transportation-related requirements such as DOT and NTSB guidelines where applicable.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across fabrication and assembly, focusing on process optimization, waste reduction, and quality enhancement.
• Provide operations support by troubleshooting manufacturing issues, resolving technical problems, and implementing corrective actions on the shop floor.
• Communicate effectively with both engineers and non-engineers, translating technical concepts into clear, practical guidance for operators and stakeholders.
• Demonstrate self-directed work habits by proactively identifying opportunities for improvement, proposing solutions, and following through to implementation.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering (BSME) from an ABET-accredited institution.
• Minimum of 3 years of professional work experience in manufacturing engineering or a closely related field.
• Proficiency in Solid Works for 3D CAD modeling and 2D drawing creation.
• Strong understanding of Design for Assembly (DFA) principles.
• Knowledge of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) in accordance with ASME standards.
• Experience with Design Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (DFMEA) in a manufacturing environment.
• Familiarity with Engineering Change (EC) processes and engineering deviations.
• Fundamental understanding of manufacturing operations, including ERP systems, BOM structure, and routing.
• Hands-on experience with metal fabrication processes, including structural tubing and plate metal cutting and forming.
• Understanding of welding jigs, fixtures, and large assembly processes.
• Exposure to CNC machining operations and their integration with product design.
• Experience working directly with operators on the shop floor, including conducting time studies and process observations.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to interact…