Manufacturing Engineer

Santa Ana, CA - Candidate will be traveling 50% of the time to Richmond, VA

Pay: $70.00 - $73.00 per hour

yThe Lead Manufacturing Enginee
r is responsible for leading manufacturing initiatives that improve productivity, product quality, cost efficiency, and manufacturing processes. This role supports the launch, commissioning, and scale-up of assembly operations while driving continuous improvement through lean manufacturing principles, process optimization, and engineering best practices. The position works closely with cross-functional teams to develop scalable manufacturing processes, implement engineering changes, and support production readiness

• sLead manufacturing engineering activities supporting new product launches, production ramp-up, and assembly line commissioning
• .Design, develop, and optimize manufacturing processes to improve productivity, quality, and operational efficiency
• .Evaluate product designs for manufacturability and production readiness
• .Design and implement assembly line layouts, including semi-automated systems, flexible manufacturing cells, one-piece flow, and batch flow
• .Develop automated material handling solutions to improve material flow throughout manufacturing operations
• .Provide hands-on engineering support within a high-mix manufacturing environment
• .Apply Lean Manufacturing principles, including standardized work, value stream mapping, and material flow optimization
• .Lead structured problem-solving activities using DMAIC and root cause analysis methodologies
• .Process and implement Engineering Change Notices (ECNs)
• .Develop and maintain manufacturing documentation, including
• :
  
  Work Instruction
• sControl Plan
• sProcess Failure Mode and Effects Analyses (PFMEAs
• )Process Validation Plan
• sTrain production personnel on manufacturing processes and standard work
• .Facilitate Value Stream Mapping (VSM) workshops and Kaizen events
• .Prepare capital equipment requests and support manufacturing equipment implementation
• .Collaborate with engineering, production, and quality teams to improve manufacturing performance
• .Support additional manufacturing engineering projects as assigned

• sMinimum of 3 years of manufacturing engineering or technical manufacturing experience
• .Experience supporting manufacturing launches, commissioning, or production scale-up
• .Experience designing or improving manufacturing assembly lines
• .Strong understanding of Lean Manufacturing principles and continuous improvement methodologies
• .Experience leading root cause analysis and structured problem-solving using DMAIC or similar methodologies
• .Experience with Engineering Change Notices (ECNs)
• .Knowledge of manufacturing process documentation, including work instructions, control plans, PFMEAs, and process validation
• .Ability to train production personnel on manufacturing processes
• .Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills
• .Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills
• .Experience with high-mix, low-volume manufacturing environments preferred
• .Experience transitioning products from prototype to production preferred
• .Knowledge of queueing theory and discrete event simulation software (such as ARENA) preferred
• .Familiarity with APQP and PFMEA methodologies preferred
• .Ability to travel as required between Richmond, VA and Santa Ana, CA

• nBachelor s degree in Engineering required
• .Master s degree in Engineering preferred