Manufacturing Engineer

Position Summary

Industrial Sales & Manufacturing (ISM) is seeking a motivated and results-oriented Manufacturing Engineer to support and improve manufacturing operations across a diverse mix of precision-machined, fabricated, welded, and assembled products. As a contract manufacturer serving a variety of industries, the Manufacturing Engineer plays a critical role in developing efficient manufacturing methods, improving productivity, reducing costs, and ensuring exceptional quality and on-time delivery for our customers.

This position works closely with Sales, Estimating, Engineering, Quality, Production, and Supply Chain teams to develop manufacturing solutions from initial quotation through production launch and ongoing process improvement. The ideal candidate will possess strong technical knowledge of machining and metal fabrication processes, a continuous improvement mindset, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, customer-focused manufacturing environment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Process Development & Manufacturing Support 

• Develop, implement, document, and improve manufacturing processes for CNC machining, fabrication, welding, assembly, and secondary operations.
• Create routings, bills of material, labor standards, setup requirements, tooling specifications, and manufacturing documentation.
• Review engineering drawings and specifications to determine the most efficient and cost-effective manufacturing methods.
• Provide manufacturability feedback during quoting, product development, and contract review activities.
• Support production teams by troubleshooting manufacturing issues and implementing corrective actions to minimize downtime and improve throughput.
• Identify constraints, bottlenecks, and opportunities to improve workflow, capacity, and plant utilization.
• Develop and maintain work instructions, setup sheets, visual aids, and standardized work procedures.

New Product Introduction & Customer Support

• Collaborate with Sales, Engineering, and Customers to ensure products can be manufactured efficiently while meeting quality and delivery requirements.
• Support the transition of new products from quote and prototype stages into production.
• Evaluate customer drawings, specifications, and tolerance requirements to determine manufacturing feasibility.
• Assist with APQP activities, process validations, and production readiness reviews when required.
• Participate in customer visits, audits, and technical discussions as needed.

Quality & Compliance

• Support ISM's Quality Management System and continuous improvement objectives.
• Work closely with Quality personnel to address non-conformances, customer concerns, and process capability issues.
• Ensure compliance with ISO 9001 requirements, customer specifications, safety standards, and company procedures.
• Participate in corrective and preventive action activities.

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Technical Knowledge

• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, including:
  • CNC Milling and Turning
  • Metal Fabrication
  • Welding Processes
  • Assembly Operations
  • Tooling and Workholding Principles
  • Precision Measurement and Inspection Techniques
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T), specifications, and customer requirements.
• Knowledge of manufacturing materials including carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum, and specialty alloys.
• Understanding of production planning, routing development, labor standards, and manufacturing cost drivers.
• Familiarity with ERP/MRP systems and manufacturing data analysis.
• Working knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Understanding of ISO 9001 and quality system requirements.

Skills

• Strong problem-solving and analytical abilities.
• Excellent project management and organizational skills.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to coordinate activities across multiple departments.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and practical manufacturing knowledge.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining attention to detail.
• Proficiency with CAD software and Microsoft Office applications.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a closely related technical field.
• Minimum of 3 years of manufacturing engineering experience in a machining, fabrication, metalworking, or industrial manufacturing environment preferred.
• Experience supporting CNC machining operations, fabrication processes, welding, or custom manufacturing highly preferred.
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing, continuous improvement initiatives, and process optimization strongly desired.
• Knowledge of ERP systems and manufacturing software preferred.

Why Join ISM?

At ISM, you will have the opportunity to work across a wide variety of manufacturing technologies and customer industries while helping drive operational excellence. This role provides hands-on involvement in machining, fabrication, welding, assembly, continuous improvement, and new product introduction, making it an ideal position for an engineer who enjoys solving complex manufacturing challenges and making a measurable impact on business performance.

This version should market the role much more effectively to manufacturing engineers while clearly reflecting ISM's contract manufacturing environment and the realities of machining, fabrication, welding, and assembly operations.