Engineering Manager

Key Responsibilities

Engineering Leadership & Department Management

• Lead and develop the engineering team, including manufacturing engineers, programmers, and CAD/CAM personnel.
• Establish engineering standards, documentation controls, and process consistency across the plant.
• Develop departmental goals aligned with safety, quality, delivery, and cost objectives.
• Manage engineering project priorities, workload balancing, and resource allocation.
• Mentor team members and build technical depth within the department.

Manufacturing & Process Engineering

• Oversee development, validation, and optimization of fabrication and assembly processes including laser cutting, turret punching, press brakes, welding (MIG/TIG), hardware insertion (PEM), finishing, and mechanical assembly.
• Develop efficient manufacturing methods based on customer-supplied drawings and specifications.
• Improve setup reduction, cycle times, material utilization, and workflow.
• Support troubleshooting of complex production issues and implement root cause corrective actions.
• Evaluate and recommend capital equipment, tooling, and automation to improve throughput and reduce cost.

Customer Design Support & Cost Improvement

• Review customer drawings and specifications for manufacturability and efficiency.
• Provide Design for Manufacturability (DFM) feedback focused on cost reduction, material optimization, tolerance alignment, and process simplification.
• Identify opportunities for value engineering without altering customer product intent or function.
• Collaborate with Sales and customers to present engineering-driven cost savings and process improvements.
• Support prototype builds and production launches to ensure smooth transition into manufacturing.

New Product Introduction (NPI)

• Lead engineering activities for new customer programs from quotation through production release.
• Ensure accurate creation of flat patterns, CNC programs, bend sequences, weld fixtures, assembly documentation, and work instructions.
• Establish accurate BOMs, routings, and labor standards within the ERP system.
• Manage engineering change orders (ECOs) and revision control based on customer updates.
• Ensure readiness of tooling, fixtures, and documentation prior to production start.

Costing & Quoting Support

• Partner with Sales and Estimating to support accurate and competitive quotations.
• Validate material usage, labor standards, and process times.
• Drive continuous cost reduction initiatives through process improvements and waste elimination.
• Support margin improvement efforts through engineering optimization.

Quality & Compliance

• Collaborate with Quality to ensure processes meet customer specifications and regulatory requirements.
• Support corrective actions related to manufacturing processes or documentation.
• Ensure process documentation and revision control systems remain accurate and audit-ready.
• Oversee CAD/CAM systems, nesting software, and CNC programming platforms.
• Ensure integration between engineering systems and ERP/MRP software.
• Lead lean manufacturing initiatives, workflow improvements, and capacity optimization efforts.
• Develop and track KPIs related to engineering throughput, cost savings, ECO cycle time, and process improvements.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or related field required.
• 7–10 years of experience in sheet metal fabrication and assembly manufacturin
  g.
• Experience in a contract manufacturing environment strongly preferred.
• 3–5 years of engineering leadership or management experience.

Technical Skills

• Strong knowledge of sheet metal fabrication processes, tolerances, and material properties (steel, stainless steel, aluminum).
• Proficiency in CAD/CAM software (Solid Works, AutoCAD, nesting software, or similar).
• Experience developing routings, labor standards, and process documentation.
• Familiarity with ERP/MRP systems.
• Strong understanding of lean manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Strong project management and prioritization skills.
• Ability to lead in a fast-paced, high-mix, low-to-medium volume manufacturing environment.
• Excellent communication skills for customer and cross-functional collaboration.
• Analytical mindset focused on cost reduction and operational efficiency.
• Results-driven leadership style with strong accountability.
• Combination of office and manufacturing floor environment.
• Frequent interaction with fabrication equipment and production teams.
• Occasional customer or supplier visits as needed.

Reporting Structure

Reports to:

General Manager

Job Type: Full-time

• 401(k)
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Ability to Commute:

Ability to Relocate:

• Pine Level, NC 27568:
  Relocate before starting work (Required)