Manufacturing Engineer

About the Role

The Manufacturing Engineer – Extrusion is responsible for developing, implementing, and continuously improving manufacturing processes for aluminum fabricated components and assemblies. This position supports aluminum extrusion and fabrication operations, with a focus on improving process performance, productivity, scrap, and recovery. The role drives improvements in safety, quality, productivity, and cost efficiency through process development and optimization, continuous improvement, new product introductions, and data-driven problem solving. The Manufacturing Engineer collaborates with cross-functional teams to optimize manufacturing performance, establish standardized processes, and support operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and optimize manufacturing processes for aluminum fabrication operations, including CNC machining, sawing, punching, bending, welding, and assembly.
• Lead process planning and implementation for new products and fabrication lines, including routings, bills of material, process documentation, and production readiness.
• Collaborate with Product Development and Sales to evaluate manufacturability, production capacity, cycle times, and cost considerations for new products.
• Develop and maintain standardized work instructions, setup procedures, and manufacturing process documentation.
• Design, specify, and validate tooling, fixtures, gauges, and equipment to support manufacturing quality and efficiency.
• Partner with CNC programmers and technicians to validate machining programs, equipment setups, and cycle times.
• Conduct time studies, process evaluations, and line balancing to identify production bottlenecks and improve throughput.
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective action initiatives to address quality issues, equipment downtime, process inefficiencies, and customer concerns.
• Apply Lean manufacturing methodologies to reduce scrap, improve productivity, minimize setup times, and optimize manufacturing costs.
• Support equipment selection, capital improvement projects, vendor coordination, equipment installation, and operational validation.
• Collaborate with Maintenance to improve equipment reliability, preventive maintenance practices, and critical spare parts planning.
• Manage engineering changes and maintain accurate production documentation, including drawings, routings, programs, and work instructions.
• Maintain accurate manufacturing process data and records within ERP/MES systems.
• Provide technical guidance and training to operators, technicians, and production leads on new or revised manufacturing processes.
• Promote safe manufacturing practices through risk assessments, ergonomic improvements, machine guarding, and compliance with established safety standards.
• Collaborate with Production, Quality, Maintenance, Supply Chain, and other departments to resolve operational challenges and meet customer requirements.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Familiarity with 3D CAD software and Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T).
• Working knowledge of Lean manufacturing principles and root cause analysis methodologies.
• Ability to develop manufacturing processes, evaluate production performance, and identify continuous improvement opportunities.
• Knowledge of manufacturing process documentation, standard work, routings, and bills of material.
• Ability to evaluate cycle times, production capacity, equipment performance, and manufacturing costs.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and provide technical guidance to production personnel.
• Strong organizational and project coordination skills, with the ability to manage multiple engineering projects and priorities.
• Ability to work in both office and industrial manufacturing environments.
• Ability to comply with company safety policies and wear required personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Flexibility to support off-shift production activities, new product launches, and equipment downtime events as needed.
• Ability to travel up to 10%.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• 0–5 years of manufacturing or process engineering experience. Recent engineering graduates with relevant internship or cooperative education experience may be considered.

Preferred Skills/Qualifications

• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification or equivalent.
• Experience using manufacturing data to improve process performance, productivity, scrap, recovery, or throughput.
• Experience in aluminum extrusion, metal fabrication, and/or aluminum manufacturing.
• Experience with aluminum fabrication processes, including CNC machining, sawing, punching, bending, welding, and assembly.
• Knowledge of aluminum extrusion design and manufacturing, including extrusion processes, press capabilities, and process optimization.
• Experience designing tooling, fixtures, and manufacturing aids.
• Experience with CNC machining processes.
• Familiarity with CNC programming and CAM software.
• Proficiency in SolidWorks.
• Knowledge of manufacturing quality systems, engineering change control, and equipment validation.
• Knowledge of PFMEA, control plans, statistical process control (SPC), and production part approval processes (PPAP).
• Experience with ERP/MES systems.
• Bilingual proficiency in Spanish.