Manufacturing/Quality Engineer

Job Title: Manufacturing/Quality Engineer

Location: Ames, Iowa

Salary: $85-95K

Job Summary of the Manufacturing/Quality Engineer: The Manufacturing/Quality Engineer plays a key role in the development, optimization, and deployment of manufacturing processes to ensure efficient, high-quality production of products. This role focuses on process design and improvement rather than product design, with a strong emphasis on ensuring product quality and a successful handoff of new designs to the production team.

Job Duties & Responsibilities Of The Manufacturing/Quality Engineer

• Interpret engineering sketches, specifications, and other technical documentation to produce accurate and precise drawings.
• Develop, document, and refine manufacturing processes to ensure they are robust, repeatable, and cost-effective.
• Lead the design and implementation of new production methods for upcoming products and revisions.
• Collaborate with design engineering to transition product concepts into scalable manufacturing processes.
• Perform root cause analysis and implement corrective actions to improve process performance.
• Maintain and update process documentation, SOPs, and forms as required by ISO 9000 standards.
• Serve as the key liaison between product development and production, ensuring design intent is maintained through launch.
• Lead pre-production process validation, including PFMEA, control plans, and capability studies.
• Support tooling, equipment, and fixture design to ensure process readiness.
• Monitor early production runs to ensure process stability and product conformity.
• Drive quality assurance by proactively identifying process risks and implementing preventive measures.
• Apply lean manufacturing tools and methodologies to reduce waste and increase throughput.
• Support internal audits and corrective action planning related to process and product quality.
• Lead cross-functional teams in Kaizen or other improvement initiatives.
• Partner with Quality, Design, and Operations teams to ensure alignment across process requirements and customer expectations.
• Communicate effectively with internal teams and suppliers regarding process capability, improvement plans, and project 􀆟timelines.
• Conduct training for operators and technicians on new processes and updated standards.
  
  

Education & Experience Of The Manufacturing/Quality Engineer

• Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline required.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in manufacturing or process engineering in an industrial setting.
• Strong background in process development, launch, and optimization.
• Experience with ERP systems (Syteline a plus) and ISO quality systems.
• Experience in industrial/heavy-duty products is a plus.
• Excellent analytical, communication, and project management skills.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft􀅌 Office and CAD tools.
• Ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and manage multiple priorities under tight deadlines.
• Familiarity with lean tools such as 5S, value stream mapping, and Six Sigma preferred.
• Proficiency in ERP systems and a strong understanding of how to leverage technology to improve operational efficiencies.