Senior Manufacturing Engineer Lead

Location: Tacoma, WA 98409.

Position Type: Full Time.

Salary Range: $40.00 - $45.00 hourly.

Job Shift: Day.

The Senior Manufacturing Engineering Lead is responsible for driving operational excellence through design, optimization, and continuous improvement of manufacturing processes.

This role provides technical leadership to engineering teams, supports production through troubleshooting and root‑cause analysis, and leads capital improvement and automation initiatives.

The Manufacturing Engineering Lead ensures safety, quality, efficiency, and cost‑effectiveness across manufacturing operations.

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of manufacturing engineers and technicians
• Lead cross‑functional project planning and execution to deliver manufacturing engineering initiatives on time and within scope
• Prioritize engineering tasks and allocate resources to meet production needs
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement and high performance
• Facilitate effective daily/weekly project meetings to maintain accountability, manage priorities, and ensure all stakeholders remain aligned and informed

• Develop, maintain, and track detailed project schedules, ensuring alignment with production goals, resource availability, and corporate milestones
• Design, implement, and improve manufacturing processes to increase throughput, reduce waste, and enhance quality
• Develop and maintain work instructions, process flow diagrams, PFMEAs, and standard operating procedures
• Utilize Lean, Six Sigma, and statistical tools to analyze performance and drive improvements

• Drive schedule attainment by proactively identifying risks, removing barriers, allocating resources, and coordinating with operations, quality, supply chain, and maintenance teams
• Serve as the escalation point for complex process issues, equipment downtime, and quality concerns
• Conduct root cause analysis and implement corrective/preventive actions (RCA/CAPA)
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams (Quality, Maintenance, Supply Chain, Safety) to resolve issues quickly and effectively

• Lead selection, installation, validation, and commissioning of new equipment and automation solutions
• Partner with vendors and maintenance teams to ensure equipment reliability and OEE targets
• Develop equipment validation protocols and documentation

• Work closely with R&D and product engineering during design transfer
• Develop manufacturing plans, tooling, and process capability assessments for new products
• Ensure smooth ramp‑up to full production

• Ensure all manufacturing processes comply with safety, regulatory, and environmental standards
• Drive ergonomic improvements and hazard reduction
• Support audits and maintain documentation for compliance (ISO, OSHA, industry‑specific requirements)

• Monitor project metrics (timelines, costs, throughput impacts, readiness deliverables) and provide timely updates to leadership through structured reporting and communication
• Track and report key manufacturing KPIs (scrap rates, cycle times, etc.)
• Use data to identify trends and make strategic recommendations

• Technical expertise
• Cross‑functional collaboration
• Project management
• Data‑driven decision making
• Strong communication
• Continuous improvement mindset

• Walking throughout the facility to observe operations, coordinate with staff, and monitor workflow
• Light lifting (up to 25 lbs) occasionally
• Manual dexterity sufficient to operate a keyboard, mouse, and office equipment
• Hearing and verbal communication ability to effectively engage with employees, supervisors, and cross‑functional teams in person and via phone or radio
• Ability to climb stairs as needed to review production lines or equipment layouts
• Work is primarily performed on the production floor
• Exposure to a manufacturing environment may include:
  • Moderate noise levels
  • Moving machinery
  • Temperature fluctuations
  • Industrial odors
• Personal protective equipment (PPE) will be required when entering designated production areas