Manufacturing Engineer

Position Summary:

The Manufacturing Engineer is responsible for designing, implementing, and optimizing manufacturing processes to improve production efficiency, quality, and cost-effectiveness. This role involves collaborating with cross-functional teams to develop manufacturing systems, troubleshoot issues, and support continuous improvement initiatives within the production environment. The Manufacturing Engineer will also be key in materials management, scheduling, repair work, creating drawings and shop releases, and ensuring adherence to production timelines.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Process Design and Optimization:

• Develop and optimize manufacturing processes, workflows, and systems to increase efficiency and reduce waste.
• Evaluate production methods and recommend improving quality, safety, and cost performance.
• Implement Lean manufacturing techniques such as 5S, Kaizen, and value stream mapping to streamline operations.

1. Tooling and Material Management:

• Order tooling for the machine shop and ensure timely availability.
• Check material availability for upcoming jobs in the shop, ensuring all required materials are available before production starts.
• Maintain and provide nozzles and support logbook for tracking.
• Monitor and maintain tube inventory, including suppliers such as Webco, HTTP, and Tubes Inc.

1. Production Scheduling and Coordination:

• Learn and upload partially released BOM (Bill of Materials) into Global Shop and Schedlyzer software.
• Learn and review manufacturing processes, workstations, routers, BOMs, and prep drawings for overlay.
• Run labor hour programs and material reports and provide monthly inventory sheets to management.
• Review and learn the two-week production schedule, shop load charts, and efficiency reports.
• Publish and assure adherence to the two-week production schedule by coordinating cross-functional activities between manufacturing, purchasing, engineering, and receiving.

1. Repair Work and Scope Definition:

• Responsible for the evaluation and repair of manufacturing equipment, tools, and processes.
• Develop and define the scope of work for repairs, including identifying required materials, resources, and timelines.
• Create detailed drawings for repair work and ensure they meet operational requirements and specifications.
• Collaborate with maintenance and production teams to ensure the repair work is completed efficiently and on time.

1. Weld Procedures and Shop Releases:

• Create and define welding procedures and ensure they are followed to meet quality standards.
• Coordinate with the welding team to ensure procedures and safety standards compliance.
• Prepare shop releases and ensure all necessary documentation is completed and updated for each production job.

1. Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Coordinate activities with manufacturing, purchasing, engineering, and receiving to ensure smooth flow of materials through production.
• Communicate, track, and expedite any material shortages or issues affecting production or sales order backlog.
• Evaluate Engineering Change Notices (ECNs) and implement changes on assigned products.
• Attend weekly production meetings to discuss and resolve manufacturing or material issues.

1. Monitoring and Reporting:

• Update and maintain manpower, shop load charts, efficiency reports, and production schedules every week.
• Send production updates to customers as needed.
• Review late jobs, prepare reports for management, and develop weekend schedules with resource allocation.
• Track ITP hold points and issue NOI for inspectors as required.
• Prepare and maintain the list of shop assets.

1. Production Planning and Continuous Improvement:

• Revise production schedules as necessary due to design changes, labor/material shortages, or other disruptions, collaborating with management and relevant teams.
• Apply critical path methods (CPM) to plan production commitments for expedited or critical jobs.
• Identify and remove bottlenecks by optimizing capacity or outsourcing as required.
• Develop and implement plans for debottlenecking constraints to ensure smoother production flow.

1. Vendor and External Coordination:

• Coordinate with external vendors, including paint vendors, to plan for upcoming paint jobs and manage external dependencies.
• Ensure all materials and external resources align with the production schedule.

30-60 Day Expectations:

• Order tooling for the machine shop and familiarize with RCS programs.
• Check material availability for upcoming jobs.
• Learn and upload BOMs into the Global Shop and Schedlyzer software.
• Understand manufacturing processes, Routers, BOMs, and other related documentation.
• Review and learn two-week production schedules, shop load charts, and efficiency reports.
• Prepare monthly inventory sheets for management.
• Learn and assist with repair work, define the scope of work, and create drawings for repairs.

60-90 Day Expectations:

• Fully upload new job releases and BOMs into Schedlyzer and the Global Shop ERP system.
• Evaluate and implement Engineering Change Notices (ECNs) and resolve production or material issues.
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams to ensure smooth material flow and production planning.
• Develop weekend schedules, track production progress, and resolve late job issues.
• Create and update welding procedures and manage shop releases.
• Coordinate repair work and develop detailed plans and drawings for repairs.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in manufacturing engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
• 2-5 years of experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Familiarity with manufacturing processes and tools (e.g., CNC machining, injection molding).
• Proficiency in CAD software (SolidWorks, AutoCAD), ERP systems (Global Shop, Schedlyzer), and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills with a focus on process optimization.
• Understanding of Lean Manufacturing principles, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience in creating technical drawings and managing repair processes.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in welding procedures and shop release management.
• Familiarity with inventory management and production scheduling software.
• Knowledge of repair scope definition and planning in a manufacturing environment.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

• Ability to work in a manufacturing environment with exposure to machinery, tools, and production lines.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds.
• May require occasional travel to supplier facilities or other company locations.