Manufacturing Engineering Manager in Wheeling

Manufacturing Engineering Manager

Responsible for the oversight of facilities CNC programming, process development, maintenance, capital expenditure, and continuous improvement. Oversees the development and implementation of manufacturing processes to maintain product functionality, cost efficiency, and productivity. Leads manufacturing engineers and project engineers, fosters a culture of transparency, safety, and continuous improvement, and works closely with engineering, materials, operations, and quality teams.

DESTACO, a Stabilus Company, is a global leader in the design and manufacture of high‑performance automation, work holding, and remote handling solutions. The company serves customers in a variety of end markets, including automotive, life sciences, consumer goods, packaging, aerospace, and nuclear sectors, and operates worldwide through multiple locations.

The Manufacturing Engineering Manager reports to the Plant Manager and will be based in Wheeling, IL. The role requires up to 10% travel and involves building strong relationships across engineering, materials, operations, and quality functions to ensure alignment and effective communication.

• As a member of the manufacturing leadership team, fosters a culture of transparency, disciplined problem solving, high‑performance work teams, and continuous improvement. Strives to ensure the appropriate team, tools, and processes are in place to support these cultural traits.
• Leads and promotes safety awareness with key plant team members, ensuring employees understand safety expectations and encouraging accident prevention.
• Leads and fosters the continuous improvement roadmap for the plant, leveraging improvement tools to drive operational gains and engage the manufacturing team.
• Plans and communicates with the engineering team to ensure efficient workflow, on‑time delivery of programs, and onboarding of new equipment.
• Coaches, provides feedback, and develops associate manufacturing engineers; motivates the team to achieve annual objectives.
• Improves manufacturing efficiency by creating and optimizing programming methodologies and leveraging efficient fixtures and tooling.
• Recommends equipment modifications or replacements to support new products, demand changes, or productivity improvements.
• Participates in new product development and launch using the defined stage‑gate process.
• Analyzes and designs lean manufacturing cells using simulation tools to optimize space, equipment, material, and personnel.
• Assists in developing plant layout and rearrangement of facilities for better utilization of space.
• Works closely with research and development, quality assurance, and maintenance to prevent product, tooling, and fixture problems.
• Ensures all manufacturing safety regulatory policies and procedures are implemented and maintained.
• Stays informed about new manufacturing technologies and equipment to reduce cost through efficiencies.
• Supports all current and new product introductions.
• Determines and eliminates root causes to reduce manufacturing process occurrences.
• Assists in re‑engineering product/material to reduce cost.
• Assesses vendor/subcontractor evaluation for consideration.
• Responsible for training vendors/subcontractors on new product launches to meet target dates.
• Works closely with engineering, new product development, production, and quality teams.
• Supports DESTACO policies and procedures, including those governing the quality system per ISO 9001.

• Attracts, Develops and Retains Talent – Creates a learning environment that recognizes and maximizes the potential of all employees, developing high‑potential individuals for future strategic needs.
• Results Driven – Produces results that exceed DESTACO’s strategic objectives through planning, execution, and living the company values.
• Change Leadership – Aligns an organization and its people to drive improvement and adopt new, challenging directions, energizing the organization to change in the same direction.

• Minimum 5 years experience in manufacturing engineering and maintenance.
• Experienced in continuous improvement.
• Demonstrated proficiency with MS Office tools (Word, Excel).
• Ability to analyze, solve, and implement solutions independently.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints.
• In‑depth understanding of assembly processes.
• Strong organizational skills; keeps timelines and meets deadlines.
• Ability to direct and guide others.
• Working knowledge of manufacturing methods, tooling, fixturing, and materials.
• High energy, tenacity to get results, and determination to win.
• Self‑starter who prefers a strong team environment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, manufacturing engineering, or a related technical field.

• Ability to travel up to 10% of the time.