Manufacturing Engineering Manager
Job Summary
Lead manufacturing readiness activities for products moving from prototype through production
Develop and maintain routing work instructions and labor standards
Ensure BOMs drawings and specifications are complete and ready for production
Coordinate first-article builds and production launches
Partner with Product/Design Engineering and Operations to resolve manufacturability issues
Identify and address engineering gaps that create production delays rework or inefficiencies
Support the release of work orders into production systems such as MIE Trak
Ensure jobs have the engineering information and documentation needed for successful execution
Troubleshoot manufacturing engineering issues affecting production
Improve consistency in how work moves from order to instruction to build
Partner with Operations to address production constraints and recurring issues
Lead manufacturing engineering activities for prototypes and new product introductions
Provide hands-on support for prototyping particularly in sheet metal fabrication
Translate product concepts and designs into practical manufacturing processes
Develop repeatable processes for moving new products into production
Identify manufacturability risks early and work cross-functionally to resolve them
Lead and support Lean and Six Sigma improvement initiatives within manufacturing
Analyze labor cycle times workflow and production constraints
Improve cell layouts material flow ergonomics and standard work
Identify opportunities to reduce scrap rework and non-value-added labor
Partner with Operations on Kaizen events and continuous improvement activities
Track results and ensure improvements are sustained
Manage the Engineering Change Order (ECO) process within manufacturing
Ensure engineering changes are communicated and implemented effectively on the production floor
Lead or participate in root cause analysis for engineering-related defects
Develop and implement corrective actions in partnership with Quality and Operations
Support ISO requirements and quality system compliance
Identify recurring issues and help drive permanent solutions
Lead and develop a small manufacturing engineering team currently consisting of two direct reports
Set clear priorities expectations and accountability for the team
Assign and manage day-to-day manufacturing engineering work
Coach and develop team members while building stronger technical capability
Establish practical processes and structure where additional clarity or consistency is needed
Escalate significant risks resource needs and priorities to manufacturing leadership
What Success Looks Like
Manufacturing processes are clearly documented repeatable and increasingly scalable
Production disruptions caused by engineering gaps are reduced
New products transition successfully from prototype to production
Routings work instructions BOMs drawings and labor standards are accurate and maintained
Improvements in efficiency throughput scrap rework and quality can be demonstrated
Engineering changes are implemented consistently and timely
Manufacturing Engineering Operations Quality and Product/Design Engineering work effectively together
The manufacturing engineering team has clear priorities and accountability
Key Metrics
Labor variance vs. standard
Scrap and rework
Cycle time and throughput
First-pass yield / first-article success
ECO cycle time
Repeat defects and corrective action effectiveness
Production disruptions attributable to engineering issues
AT A MINIMUM YOU SHOULD HAVE
5 years of manufacturing engineering experience
Previous experience leading or managing manufacturing engineering employees or technical teams
3 years of hands-on sheet metal manufacturing experience
Experience with rapid prototyping and new product introduction (NPI)
Experience developing routings work instructions and labor standards
Working knowledge of BOMs drawings specifications and engineering change processes
Strong background in Lean Manufacturing and/or Six Sigma
Demonstrated experience solving manufacturing and production problems cross-functionally
Experience working in or improving an established manufacturing environment
Leadership & Mindset
Hands-on leader who is comfortable working directly with the team and on the manufacturing floor
Takes ownership and follows issues through to resolution
Comfortable working in an environment where processes continue to evolve
Able to establish structure and improve processes without overcomplicating them
Uses data and practical problem-solving to make decisions
Collaborates effectively across Engineering Operations and Quality
Willing to ask for support and escalate issues when appropriate
Motivated by continuous improvement and helping modernize manufacturing operations
WHAT YOULL GET
401k
Health dental vision and life insurance
Vacation / PTO policy
Work schedule - on-site
Professional development
Career advancement opportunities
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
AMERICAN LOCKER is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion sex sexual orientation gender identity national origin age disability veteran status or any other legally protected status.
Required Skills:
AT A MINIMUM YOU SHOULD HAVE 5 years of manufacturing engineering experience Previous experience leading or managing manufacturing engineering employees or technical teams 3 years of hands-on sheet metal manufacturing experience Experience with rapid prototyping and new product introduction (NPI) Experience developing routings work instructions and labor standards Working knowledge of BOMs drawings specifications and engineering change processes Strong background in Lean Manufacturing and/or Six Sigma Demonstrated experience solving manufacturing and production problems cross-functionally Experience working in or improving an established manufacturing environment Leadership & Mindset Hands-on leader who is comfortable working directly with the team and on the manufacturing floor Takes ownership and follows issues through to resolution Comfortable working in an environment where processes continue to evolve Able to establish structure and improve processes without overcomplicating them Uses data and practical problem-solving to make decisions Collaborates effectively across Engineering Operations and Quality Willing to ask for support and escalate issues when appropriate Motivated by continuous improvement and helping modernize manufacturing operations
Required Education:
Bachelors or equivalent experience