2nd Shift Manufacturing Engineer

Acara Solutions is looking for a Manufacturing Engineer to work with our client in Richmond, VA.

• Direct Placement
• $90k-$100k+ + $10k shift differential
• 2nd shift 2pm-10:30pm
• Comprehensive benefits package

This is a unique opportunity for a Manufacturing Engineer to design, implement, and improve production operations to support an exciting growth opportunity for our company. This position is hands‑on and requires a significant amount of time on the manufacturing floor working collaboratively with operators, maintenance, supervisors, and managers. The Manufacturing Engineer will also serve as a key link between Sales/Applications Engineering and Production, identifying opportunities for continuous improvement as well as driving root‑cause troubleshooting initiatives to ensure the reliability of existing equipment and processes.

This is a high‑visibility position that is central to supporting a culture of continuous improvement through employee engagement.

• Hands‑on Engineering Improvements: Spend significant hands‑on time on the manufacturing floor, working collaboratively with operators, maintenance technicians, and leadership to observe, understand, document, and improve machine and process reliability, efficiency, and throughput.
• Root Cause Troubleshooting: Collaborate with Production, Maintenance, Quality and/or Safety teams to troubleshoot and resolve mechanical and/or electrical production issues by listening to and incorporating their feedback, as well as using root‑cause analysis and structured problem‑solving techniques to drive sustainable corrective actions.
• Stakeholder Engagement and Buy‑in: Motivate employee participation and genuinely listen to stakeholder input and feedback to achieve buy‑in for improvement initiatives.
• Project Management: Manage expense and capital projects from concept to completion, including research, justification, proposal development, scheduling, change management, installation, training, business integration, and final handover.
• Milestone Planning and Accountability: Create appropriate milestones and countermeasures to ensure deadlines are met.
• Multi‑Project Ownership and Resilience: Manage multiple projects and shifting priorities, demonstrating ownership and resilience in overcoming obstacles.
• Clear and Effective Communication: Prepare and clearly present project ideas, objectives, and timelines to all levels of the organization, supported by hands‑on observations as well as performance data analysis.
• Design and Fabrication: Apply design and fabrication skills to improve mechanical, electrical, and production systems with custom tooling, fixtures, and layouts.
• Subject Matter Expert: Establish best practices/SOPs/WIs as the SME of equipment and associated processes, then train Production and Maintenance staff to ensure process and equipment safety, capability, reliability, and efficiency.

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or Electrical Engineering, or equivalent work experience.
• 3+ years of experience in a manufacturing or production engineering role, preferably in a custom or high‑mix environment.
• 3+ years of experience troubleshooting equipment.
• 3+ years of experience onboarding new equipment.

• Strong understanding of mechanical systems, automation, and industrial equipment.
• Experience with project planning, justification, execution, and integration.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects from concept through implementation.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to work effectively across all levels of the organization.
• High level of ownership, accountability, and initiative.
• Adaptable, resourceful, and committed to continuous learning and improvement.
• Self‑managing and correcting, adjusting to feedback from all levels of the organization.
• Proficiency with CAD software (e.g., Solid Works, AutoCAD) for fixture development and equipment floorplan layout generation.
• Familiarity with TPM, predictive maintenance, and reliability‑centered maintenance practices.

Aleron companies (Acara Solutions, Aleron Shared Resources, Broadleaf Results, Lume Strategies, Talent Rise, Viaduct) are an Equal Opportunity Employer. Race/Color/Gender/Religion/National Origin/Disability/Veteran.

Applicants for this position must be legally authorized to work in the United States. This position does not meet the employment requirements for individuals with F‑1 OPT STEM work authorization status.