Manufacturing Process Engineer

Job Description: Process Manufacturing Engineer

Job Summary:

The Manufacturing Process Engineer is responsible for developing, optimizing, and standardizing manufacturing processes to improve productivity, production capacity, quality, and cost efficiency. This role leads continuous improvement initiatives, supports equipment and automation projects, troubleshoots manufacturing issues, and ensures production processes are efficient, repeatable, and properly documented.

The position works closely with Production, Maintenance, Quality, Product Engineering, Supply Chain, and external vendors to implement process improvements, support new product introductions, and deliver measurable operational and financial results.

Job duties:

· Develop, implement, and optimize manufacturing processes, methods, and production workflows.

· Establish manufacturing process parameters, equipment settings, and standardized production methods.

· Conduct time studies, cycle time analysis, line balancing, and production capacity assessments.

· Identify and eliminate manufacturing bottlenecks, unnecessary operations, and non-value-added activities.

· Improve material flow, workstation layouts, ergonomics, and overall manufacturing efficiency.

· Develop and maintain manufacturing routings, standard labor times, and process-related ERP data.

· Evaluate existing processes and implement improvements to increase production throughput and capacity.

· Support Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFM/DFA) initiatives.

2. Equipment, Automation & Tooling

· Design, develop, and implement manufacturing fixtures, jigs, tooling, and production aids.

· Identify opportunities for automation, mechanization, and equipment upgrades.

· Support the selection, specification, installation, commissioning, and implementation of manufacturing equipment.

· Work with equipment suppliers and Maintenance to troubleshoot manufacturing process and equipment performance issues.

· Develop and validate equipment operating parameters to ensure repeatable production performance.

· Improve equipment utilization, reliability, and operational efficiency.

· Lead equipment improvement projects designed to reduce manual operations, cycle times, and operator dependency.

3. Continuous Improvement & Cost Reduction

· Lead Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives focused on productivity, efficiency, and cost reduction.

· Analyze manufacturing performance data to identify improvement opportunities.

· Develop and implement projects to reduce production cycle times, downtime, labor costs, scrap, and material waste.

· Conduct manufacturing cost analysis and quantify the financial impact of engineering improvements.

· Apply Lean Manufacturing tools, including 5S, Kaizen, Value Stream Mapping, Standard Work, and waste elimination.

· Implement sustainable improvements through process standardization, training, and performance monitoring.

· Track project results and report measurable operational and financial improvements.

4. Manufacturing Troubleshooting & Technical Support

· Provide technical support to Production and Maintenance teams to resolve manufacturing process issues.

· Investigate recurring production interruptions, equipment limitations, and process inefficiencies.

· Perform root cause analysis of manufacturing process failures and implement permanent technical solutions.

· Support troubleshooting of manufacturing equipment, assembly methods, tooling, and process parameters.

· Identify opportunities to prevent recurring process disruptions.

· Collaborate with Quality Engineering when manufacturing process conditions contribute to product defects or nonconformances.

· Prioritize long-term process improvements while supporting immediate production requirements.

5. Manufacturing Documentation & Process Standardization

· Develop, maintain, and improve manufacturing Work Instructions (WIs), Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and standardized work methods.

· Create manufacturing process flow diagrams, equipment setup instructions, and process parameter documentation.

· Establish standard cycle times, labor requirements, and manufacturing process sequences.

· Support the development of PFMEAs and Control Plans by providing manufacturing process knowledge and technical input.

· Define and implement manufacturing process controls in collaboration with Quality Engineering.

· Ensure manufacturing documentation reflects current production methods and engineering requirements.

· Provide technical training to Production personnel on new equipment, tooling, and manufacturing processes.

6. Engineering Projects & Capital Equipment

· Lead manufacturing engineering projects from planning through implementation and closure.

· Develop project scopes, technical specifications, schedules, budgets, and implementation plans.

· Prepare CAPEX proposals supported by cost-benefit analysis, return on investment (ROI), and operational justification.

· Coordinate with Production, Maintenance, Supply Chain, and external vendors to execute engineering projects.

· Manage equipment installations, process modifications, and production implementation activities.

· Validate that implemented solutions meet established productivity, capacity, safety, and operational objectives.

· Provide regular project status updates, identify risks, and ensure timely completion of assigned deliverables.

7. New Product Introduction & Manufacturing Readiness

· Collaborate with Product Engineering to evaluate product manufacturability and assembly requirements.

· Define manufacturing processes, equipment, tooling, labor, and production routing requirements for new products.

· Participate in design reviews and recommend improvements to simplify manufacturing and reduce production costs.

· Develop and validate manufacturing processes for new or modified products.

· Support First Article Inspection (FAI) activities by ensuring manufacturing process readiness and providing technical support to Quality Engineering.

· Implement approved engineering changes into manufacturing operations.

· Coordinate production trials, process capability assessments, and manufacturing readiness evaluations.

· Ensure new manufacturing processes are documented, standardized, and transferred effectively to Production.

Required Qualifications

· Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related field.

· 3–5 years of manufacturing engineering experience in a production environment.

· Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, equipment, tooling, and process optimization.

· Proven experience implementing manufacturing improvements and managing technical projects.

· Experience with Lean Manufacturing, continuous improvement, and cost reduction initiatives.

· Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, technical specifications, and GD&T.

· Experience with CAD software such as SolidWorks or AutoCAD.

· Knowledge of manufacturing equipment, assembly processes, fixtures, and tooling development.

· Experience conducting time studies, cycle time analysis, and capacity evaluations.

· Strong troubleshooting, analytical, and root cause analysis skills.

· Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and manufacturing data analysis.

· Ability to manage multiple projects, establish priorities, and meet deadlines.

· Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health savings account
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Referral program
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement

Application Question(s):

• Do you required sponsorship?

Work Location: In person