Manufacturing Engineer

Manufacturing / Process Engineer

This role focuses on developing and implementing manufacturing processes that support the successful introduction and ongoing production of precision machined products while meeting production requirements and quoted costs. The Manufacturing / Process Engineer defines, develops, and owns processes and methods with a strong emphasis on day-to-day operations support, continuous improvement, and scrap reduction in a high-precision machining environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement manufacturing processes and methods to introduce new products into production while meeting production requirements and quoted cost targets.
• Troubleshoot production operations, including fixturing and clamping issues, CNC programs and parameter issues, and expendable tooling issues, and drive problems to full resolution.
• Design and improve fixturing using fixture maintenance programs and other mistake-proofing methods to increase yield on high-scrap operations and reduce human error.
• Conduct time studies on jobs to balance workloads and define operator standard work, ensuring processes are efficient and repeatable.
• Create and maintain standard work charts and process capacity tables, and compare actual performance against quoted estimates in current cost models.
• Utilize SPC charts and other process capability tools to monitor performance and increase first-pass yields to meet or exceed quoted standards.
• Plan and develop processes for newly awarded products (NPI), including tooling procurement, creation of standard routings, and development of bills of materials.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on process optimization, scrap reduction, and productivity improvements in machining operations.
• Apply lean manufacturing and Six Sigma tools to identify waste, improve flow, and enhance process capability.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including engineering, production, and quality, to ensure robust process implementation and adherence to aerospace specifications.
• Use CAD/CAM and other engineering tools to support process design, fixture design, and program optimization.
• Perform root cause analysis and implement corrective actions to address process deviations, quality issues, and performance shortfalls.
• Document work instructions and process documentation to support consistent execution on the shop floor.
• Perform all other related duties as assigned to support manufacturing operations and engineering initiatives.

Essential Skills

• Experience working in a machining environment, aerospace operation, or industrial gas turbine operation.
• Knowledge of aerospace specifications and requirements related to precision machining and manufacturing processes.
• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering (BSME), manufacturing engineering, process engineering, or a closely related technical field.
• Demonstrated ability to solve complex problems and identify root causes, with a track record of implementing effective corrective actions.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office software for data analysis, reporting, and documentation.
• Proficiency with CAD/CAM programs to support fixture design, tooling development, and CNC programming-related activities.
• Working knowledge of statistical processing and analysis tools, including SPC charts and process capability methods.
• Training and practical experience with lean manufacturing methodologies.
• Training and practical experience with Six Sigma tools and techniques.
• Exposure to machining processes and precision manufacturing environments.
• Ability to create and maintain work instructions, standard work charts, and process documentation.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills to work effectively with engineering, production, and quality teams.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Master's degree in a technical field is highly desirable and supports advancement within the organization.
• Background or interest in aerospace engineering and aerospace manufacturing processes.
• Experience with continuous improvement and process improvement initiatives in a manufacturing setting.
• Familiarity with lean tools such as time studies, standard work, and process capacity analysis.
• Comfort making process and technical decisions that influence operations, including opportunities to exercise leadership in decision-making without direct people management responsibilities.
• Motivation to grow within a large, nationally present organization, with interest in future advancement opportunities at this site and other locations.

Work Environment

The role is based in a precision machining facility that specializes in machining castings and operates approximately 120 CNC machines, with about 40% of them being 5-axis machines. The engineering department is a growing team, currently composed of around 11 engineers with plans to add additional team members, creating a collaborative and technically focused environment. The standard office hours are approximately 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with a half-hour lunch, and there…