Manufacturing Engineer – Equipment Reliability & Process Improvement

Manufacturing Engineer – Equipment Reliability & Process Improvement

Job Type: Full-time, On-site

A growing manufacturing company is seeking a hands-on Manufacturing Engineer to support equipment reliability, process improvement, automation, safety, and cost-reduction initiatives at a high-volume production facility.

This role is ideal for an engineer who enjoys being on the plant floor, working closely with maintenance, operations, and engineering teams to improve equipment performance, reduce downtime, increase throughput, and drive measurable improvements across the manufacturing process.

The Manufacturing Engineer will lead projects involving equipment upgrades, process improvements, capital equipment justification, tooling/fixture design, preventive maintenance improvements, root cause analysis, and lean manufacturing initiatives.

• Lead safety, quality, productivity, and cost-reduction projects across the plant.
• Identify equipment and process improvement opportunities that improve reliability, throughput, OEE, and MTBF.
• Partner closely with maintenance and operations teams to troubleshoot equipment issues and implement long-term corrective actions.
• Support equipment refurbishments, upgrades, new technology implementation, and process improvement projects.
• Prepare capital expenditure requests with clear financial justification for equipment repairs, upgrades, or new technology.
• Analyze equipment failures using root cause analysis tools such as 5 Why, Fishbone, A3, and FMEA.
• Improve preventive maintenance programs and help build a sustainable TPM culture.
• Support commissioning of equipment upgrades, renovations, and new process installations.
• Develop operating procedures, repair procedures, energy isolation procedures, PM tasks, and critical spare parts lists.
• Train and support maintenance mechanics and machine operators on optimal equipment operation and service techniques.
• Design and implement fixtures, tooling, and process improvements that improve consistency, quality, and safety.
• Audit existing manufacturing processes to ensure standards are being followed.
• Use data to track project performance, cost savings, downtime reduction, and process improvements.
• Share best practices across the organization and help drive continuous improvement.

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering;
  Manufacturing, Industrial, or Mechanical Engineering preferred.
• 3-5+ years of manufacturing engineering experience, ideally in a metal fabrication or equipment-intensive manufacturing environment.
• Experience improving equipment reliability, throughput, downtime, OEE, or maintenance effectiveness.
• Hands-on experience leading manufacturing projects from concept through implementation.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and ability to work directly with production and maintenance teams.
• Experience with 2D/3D CAD, GD&T, tooling, fixtures, or equipment design.
• Strong Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and general Microsoft Office skills.
• Experience with CMMS systems is preferred.
• Knowledge of electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic, automation, controls, or IoT systems is a plus.
• Experience with sheet metal fabrication, tube fabrication, bending, welding, coatings, thermoforming, CNC equipment, mills, lathes, grinders, or similar manufacturing equipment is highly preferred.
• Lean manufacturing experience, including 5S, waste reduction, standard work, and continuous improvement.
• Strong problem-solving skills with experience using root cause analysis, FMEA, A3, or similar tools.
• Ability to communicate effectively with maintenance, production, engineering, leadership, and external vendors.
• Strong project management, organization, and follow-through.

This is a high-impact engineering role where you will not be sitting behind a desk all day. You will have the opportunity to work directly with production equipment, solve real manufacturing problems, lead meaningful improvement projects, and see the results of your work on the plant floor.

The right person will have the ability to influence equipment strategy, improve reliability, support capital projects, and help drive a stronger continuous improvement culture across the facility.

This is an on-site plant-based role in Milford, DE. The position requires regular time on the manufacturing floor, including standing and walking throughout the facility. Occasional lifting up to 50 pounds may be required. Travel is limited and expected to be up to approximately 10%.

The company is an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcomes qualified applicants from all backgrounds, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.