Manufacturing Engineering Assistant

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Job Title:

Manufacturing Engineering Assistant

Job Description

The Manufacturing Engineering Assistant supports the engineering team by handling day-to-day engineering tasks, allowing engineers to focus on complex projects and customer needs. This role is ideal for a recent high school graduate or early-career professional with basic CAD exposure and a strong interest in manufacturing and steel fabrication. The position offers hands-on experience with CAD, manufacturing processes, and engineering support in a small, family-owned company that provides clear opportunities for growth into a full Manufacturing Engineer role.

Responsibilities

+ Support Manufacturing Engineers with day-to-day engineering tasks to help manage workload related to new projects and customers.

+ Use CAD software to pull and review files, navigate drawings, and support engineering documentation.

+ Review and interpret drawings, including taking measurements and dimensions accurately.

+ Assist with creating, updating, and organizing manufacturing process documentation.

+ Work with steel material specifications and apply basic fabrication concepts in daily tasks.

+ Enter, update, and retrieve data within the ERP system, with training provided as needed.

+ Perform general computer-based tasks to support both engineering and production activities.

+ Collaborate with team members in a shop-focused environment to ensure smooth coordination between engineering and manufacturing.

+ Provide general support to the engineering department as workload grows with new customers and projects.

Essential Skills

+ High school diploma or GED.

+ Basic CAD experience, including the ability to use CAD software to navigate and review drawings.

+ Ability to read, navigate, and dimension drawings, with a focus on interpretation rather than design creation.

+ Comfortable working on a computer daily and performing data entry and general computer-based tasks.

+ Interest in manufacturing, steel fabrication, and engineering support work.

+ Ability to work effectively in a team-oriented, shop-focused environment.

+ Strong attention to detail when taking measurements, dimensions, and working with technical documentation.

Additional

Skills & Qualifications

+ Exposure to manufacturing processes and manufacturing environments.

+ Familiarity with steel material specifications and basic fabrication concepts.

+ Willingness to learn ERP systems and new software tools with provided training.

+ Motivation to grow into a Manufacturing Engineer role over time.

+ Strong organizational skills to help manage documentation and engineering workload.

+ Good communication skills to collaborate with engineers, production staff, and other team members.

Work Environment

The role is based in a very rural area within a clean and well-maintained facility. The position primarily operates in an office environment, with occasional time spent on the shop floor as needed, though not frequently. The company is a small, family-owned organization that offers a supportive, team-oriented, and shop-focused culture. Employees have access to multiple health insurance plan options for employees and families with a high portion of employee premiums covered, as well as dental, vision, supplemental insurance options, and an employer-provided life insurance policy.

A Simple IRA is available with a 100% match up to 3%. The company supports professional growth through tuition reimbursement for qualified job-related classes and provides opportunities for overtime pay. Employees receive six paid holidays per year and accrue paid time off, starting at two weeks for 1-2 years of service, three weeks for 3-5 years, and four weeks for six or more years.

The environment emphasizes cleanliness, safety, and a collaborative culture that supports long-term development in manufacturing and engineering.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Pontiac, IL.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $22.00 - $25.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may…