Junior Manufacturing Engineer

Job Title:

Manufacturing Engineer

Job Description

The Junior Manufacturing Engineer provides direct, hands-on support to active production lines, ensuring continuous operations and quickly resolving issues that affect throughput, quality, or safety. This role focuses on troubleshooting production stops, repairing or redesigning tooling and fixtures, and delivering real-time engineering solutions to operators on the shop floor. The engineer manages Requests for Engineering Assistance (REAs), improves manufacturing instructions and processes, and uses strong CAD skills-especially Solid Works-to modify tooling and fixturing.

Working closely with production leads, quality engineering, and operations, this position drives continuous improvement and maintains a smooth, efficient production flow.

Responsibilities

* Provide hands-on engineering support to active production lines to maintain operational continuity and minimize downtime.

* Diagnose and resolve production issues such as damaged or missing tools, worn or missing fixtures, mold defects, part nonconformances, and safety concerns on the shop floor.

* Troubleshoot production stops and implement effective corrective actions to keep manufacturing processes running smoothly.

* Repair, modify, and redesign tooling and fixtures using Solid Works and other CAD tools to support production needs.

* Design and improve fixturing, including leveraging 3D printing for prototype or production fixtures where appropriate.

* Respond to and manage Requests for Engineering Assistance (REAs), ensuring timely resolution of production and process-related issues.

* Update, clarify, and rewrite manufacturing work instructions to improve clarity, consistency, and ease of manufacture.

* Optimize material handling and cutting methods to reduce variability, improve manufacturability, and enhance operator efficiency.

* Collaborate closely with production leads, operators, quality engineering, and operations to identify and implement process improvements.

* Contribute to continuous improvement and lean manufacturing initiatives to enhance throughput, quality, and safety.

* Support documentation management by maintaining accurate, up-to-date process documentation, instructions, and engineering changes.

* Apply practical mechanical understanding and problem-solving skills to address floor-level issues in real time.

* Use CMM inspection experience, especially laser CMM if available, to support dimensional verification and quality checks.

* Leverage SAP ERP (if experienced) to support production-related data, documentation, and process tracking.

* Act as a self-starter who independently prioritizes and executes tasks while coordinating with a more senior engineer covering a large portion of the factory.

* Stay engaged with ongoing aerospace-related projects, contributing to long-term production support and improvement efforts.

Essential Skills

* 1-3 years of proven professional experience, in manufacturing engineering, supporting active production environments (MECOP's or other internships will be considered).

* BS in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Aerospace or Industrial Engineering

* Strong hands-on troubleshooting skills to diagnose and resolve production issues such as damaged tools, mold failures, defects, and safety concerns.

* Solid Works proficiency (required) for tooling repair, fixture design, and modification of manufacturing-related models.

* Experience with 3D printing in a work or hobby setting, particularly for tooling or fixture applications.

* Ability to manage and execute Requests for Engineering Assistance (REAs), including process changes and documentation updates.

* Strong process improvement mindset with experience in manufacturing process optimization and continuous improvement.

* Ability to write clear, detailed manufacturing instructions and process documentation with strong attention to detail.

* Comfort working directly on the manufacturing floor with engineers, operators, and production leads in a hands-on capacity.

* Self-starter mentality with the ability to work with limited day-to-day guidance while still collaborating effectively with a senior engineer.

* Practical…