Finishing Manufacturing Engineer

Department: Manufacturing Engineering Back-End Operations

Reports To: Operations Manager

FLSA Status: Exempt

Position Summary

The Back-End Manufacturing Engineer is responsible for optimizing all finishing operations within the investment casting value stream including cut-off grind blend heat treat NDT weld repair machining and final inspection. This role provides technical leadership to improve process capability reduce cost and enhance throughput. A core responsibility is the complete overhaul and modernization of the Material Review (MRO) department ensuring rapid defect disposition accurate classification and closed-loop corrective action.

The engineer will also develop and execute a cost-out pipeline delivering annualized savings 3 the salary of the position driven by scrap reduction yield improvement labor efficiency and process redesign.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

1. Back-End Process Support & Optimization

• Provide daily technical support to finishing operations troubleshooting production issues and implementing corrective actions to minimize downtime and rework.

• Lead optimization of cut-off grind blend heat treat NDT weld repair machining and final inspection processes.

• Develop and maintain SOPs work instructions routings and process control plans for all finishing operations.

• Identify bottlenecks and implement cycle-time reduction initiatives using Lean Six Sigma and statistical analysis.

• Improve process capability (Cp/Cpk) through data-driven methods and structured experimentation (DOE).

1. MRO Department Overhaul (Key Deliverable)

Transform MRO into a high-functioning data-driven defect management system.

• Redesign MRO workflows to ensure rapid disposition accurate defect classification and robust traceability.

• Implement standardized defect taxonomies digital tracking tools and automated dashboards for real-time visibility.

• Lead structured root-cause investigations (5-Why fishbone 8D) for recurring defects and high-cost scrap drivers.

• Establish closed-loop corrective action processes linking MRO findings to upstream wax shell melt and finishing operations.

• Train MRO personnel on defect recognition disposition criteria and escalation protocols.

• Reduce MRO backlog improve first-pass disposition accuracy and shorten cycle time for defect review.

1. Cost Reduction & Yield Improvement (3 Salary Requirement)

Build and execute a validated cost-out pipeline delivering 3 salary in annualized savings.

• Identify and quantify cost-out opportunities across scrap reduction yield improvement labor efficiency tooling optimization and process redesign.

• Conduct detailed cost analyses including direct variable cost (DVC) yield performance and rework labor burden.

• Lead projects targeting:

• Scrap reduction in finishing and MRO

• Reduction of weld repair and blend/grind rework

• Optimization of NDT throughput and first-pass yield

• Tooling redesign for ergonomics repeatability and cycle time

• Automation opportunities in cut-off grind and inspection

• Track savings using validated financial models and report monthly progress to leadership.

• Partner with Supply Chain and Design Engineering to ensure cost-effective manufacturability.

1. CAD/CAM & Tooling Support

• Create and modify CAD models drawings and tooling designs to support finishing operations.

• Translate design specifications into manufacturing instructions and production plans.

• Support CAM programming and toolpath optimization for machining operations.

• Collaborate with design engineers to ensure manufacturability and minimize downstream finishing burden.

1. Quality Assurance & Defect Elimination

• Support development and implementation of quality control plans inspection procedures and SPC methods.

• Participate in quality audits process validations and root-cause analysis for finishing defects.

• Lead corrective actions that permanently eliminate recurring defects such as shrinkage cracks inclusions and weld repair failures.

• Ensure compliance with customer regulatory and aerospace/industrial gas turbine requirements.

1. Documentation Training & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Create and maintain manufacturing documentation including SOPs work instructions and process control plans.

• Train operators inspectors welders and MRO personnel on new processes equipment and quality requirements.

• Collaborate with upstream process owners (wax shell melt) to ensure stable inputs to finishing operations.

• Work closely with Quality Operations and Maintenance to ensure process stability and equipment reliability.

Education and Experience

• Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering Materials Science Manufacturing Engineering or related field.

• Strong technical aptitude and passion for manufacturing processes and continuous improvement.

• Proficiency in CAD software (e.g. SolidWorks) and familiarity with engineering drawings.

• Experience with manufacturing processes materials machining principles and finishing operations.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; familiarity with Lean Six Sigma PFMEA SPC.

• Excellent communication interpersonal and teamwork skills.

Preferred

• Experience in investment casting aerospace or industrial gas turbine manufacturing.

• Experience supporting or managing MRO/MRB processes.

• CAM proficiency and basic CNC programming experience.

• Experience with ERP/MES systems and digital defect tracking tools.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Cost-Out Savings: 3 annual salary delivered and validated.

• Scrap Rate Reduction: Year-over-year reduction in finishing and MRO scrap.

• MRO Throughput: Reduced backlog improved cycle time improved first-pass disposition accuracy.

• Yield Improvement: Increased first-pass yield across finishing operations.

• Process Stability: Reduction in repeat defects and rework hours.

• On-Time Delivery: Improved finishing process predictability and throughput.