Manufacturing Engineer

Position Title: Manufacturing Engineer – Capital Projects, CNC & Automation

Department: Operations / Engineering

Reports To: Operations Manager / Plant Manager

Location: Little Rock, AR

Position Summary

The Manufacturing Engineer – Capital Projects, CNC & Automation is responsible for driving operational excellence through the design, implementation, and optimization of manufacturing processes, CNC machining applications, automation systems, and capital investment projects. This role serves as a technical leader focused on increasing productivity, quality, safety, and capacity through the application of modern manufacturing technologies and continuous improvement methodologies.

The position works cross-functionally with Operations, Maintenance, Quality, Supply Chain, and Finance to identify opportunities, develop business cases, and execute projects that support long-term growth and competitive advantage.

Key Responsibilities

Capital Project Leadership

Identify, develop, justify, and execute capital expenditure (CAPEX) projects supporting safety, quality, productivity, capacity, and cost reduction objectives.

Develop project scopes, equipment specifications, facility layouts, and technical requirements.

Prepare capital appropriation requests, including ROI, payback, NPV, and productivity analyses.

Lead projects from concept through commissioning, startup, and final acceptance.

Manage vendor selection, equipment procurement, contractor activities, and installation schedules.

Monitor project budgets, timelines, and deliverables to ensure successful execution.

Support facility modernization, equipment upgrades, and manufacturing technology roadmaps.

CNC Manufacturing & Process Engineering

Develop, optimize, and troubleshoot CNC machining programs and manufacturing processes.

Improve cycle times, machine utilization, setup efficiency, and tooling performance.

Lead fixture design, process validation, and machining standardization efforts.

Evaluate and implement advanced machining technologies and cutting tool solutions.

Establish best practices for CNC programming, setup, and process control.

Support new product introductions and manufacturing process development.

Drive improvements in throughput, quality, and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).

Automation & Advanced Manufacturing

Identify and implement automation solutions that improve safety, quality, productivity, and operational flexibility.

Lead automation projects involving robotics, cobots, machine tending, vision systems, automated material handling, and digital manufacturing technologies.

Collaborate with controls engineers, integrators, and equipment suppliers to design and deploy automated systems.

Develop business cases and project justifications for automation investments.

Support integration of automation systems with existing manufacturing processes and equipment.

Evaluate emerging Industry 4.0 technologies, including machine monitoring, predictive maintenance, IIoT, and real-time production analytics.

Develop and maintain standards for automated equipment and manufacturing technologies.

Continuous Improvement

Lead Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, and Six Sigma initiatives.

Analyze production data to identify bottlenecks and opportunities for improvement.

Improve OEE, throughput, labor productivity, and process capability.

Support value stream mapping and workflow optimization initiatives.

Reduce waste associated with downtime, setup, material handling, scrap, and rework.

Implement data-driven solutions that improve operational performance.

Technical Leadership

Serve as the plant subject matter expert for CNC machining, manufacturing technology, and automation systems.

Train and mentor operators, technicians, and engineers on manufacturing processes and best practices.

Provide technical leadership during equipment startups and process changes.

Support root cause analysis and corrective action activities related to manufacturing performance.

Partner with maintenance and operations teams to improve equipment reliability and process stability.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, or a related technical field.

Equivalent combinations of education and relevant experience may be considered.

Experience

5+ years of manufacturing engineering experience in a CNC machining or advanced manufacturing environment.

Demonstrated experience managing capital projects from concept through implementation.

Experience implementing manufacturing automation and process improvement initiatives.

Strong background in machining, tooling, fixtures, and manufacturing systems.

Experience preparing capital justifications and managing project budgets.

Technical Skills

CNC programming experience (Mastercam, Fusion 360, Esprit, GibbsCAM, or similar).

Strong understanding of:

CNC machining processes

G-Code and M-Code programming

Tooling and fixture design

GD&T and blueprint interpretation

Robotics and collaborative robots (preferred)

Vision inspection systems

Automated material handling systems

PLC fundamentals and manufacturing controls concepts

CAD software (SolidWorks, AutoCAD, Inventor, or equivalent)

Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies

Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and project management tools.

Qualifications

Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt.

Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.

Experience with robotics integration and automation deployment.

Experience with machine monitoring, IIoT, MES, or digital manufacturing systems.

Experience supporting smart factory or Industry 4.0 initiatives.

Ability to travel up to 20% within the US.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Capital project completion rate

Capital project ROI achievement

Automation project implementation success

Labor productivity improvement

OEE improvement

CNC cycle time reduction

Scrap and rework reduction

Manufacturing cost savings

Safety improvements

Equipment uptime and reliability

About Kito Crosby: Kito Crosby has joined the Columbus McKinnon Corporation, bringing together a rich heritage of trusted names in lifting, rigging, and securement. Known worldwide for strength, durability, and reliability, Kito Crosby designs and manufactures high‑quality hoists, lifting and rigging hardware, chain, wire rope accessories, and engineered solutions used in some of the most demanding industrial and commercial applications. Backed by Columbus McKinnon’s advanced engineering expertise and global resources, Kito Crosby delivers innovative, safety‑focused solutions that help customers lift, move, and secure loads with confidence. Building on a legacy that spans generations, Kito Crosby is proud of where it comes from—and committed to helping move the world forward as part of the Columbus McKinnon family.

The Crosby Group manufactures premium accessories used in lifting and material handling applications for a wide range of industries. The company, known for its uncompromising quality, premier customer service, and "world-class" training programs, offers a broad range of products suitable for the most demanding of operating conditions. Products include wire rope clips, hooks, shackles, lifting clamps, hoist rings, overhaul balls, snatch blocks, crane blocks and sheaves. The Company serves the land-based and offshore energy, construction and infrastructure, cargo handling and towing, marine, mining, and transportation industries.

Columbus McKinnon Corporation promotes a diverse and inclusive workforce and is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, marital status, or any other Federal or State legally-protected classes. We also value the safety of all associates and work hard to maintain a Drug Free

Workplace.