Manufacturing Engineer

The Manufacturing Engineer develops and implements continuous improvement strategies that drive safety, quality, productivity, and efficiency in manufacturing operations. This role requires a highly self-starting and independent individual who is hands-on and willing to spend a significant portion of each day on the manufacturing floor.    Responsibilities

Proactively identify operational issues and opportunities for improvement, and independently initiate and lead projects to address them. Spend a significant portion of each day on the manufacturing floor, engaging directly with processes, equipment, and personnel. Collaborate with Operations, Engineering, and Quality to develop continuous improvement strategies that directly support operational goals. Identify and manage projects that drive material, VA/VE, and other OpEx savings opportunities. Lead strategic initiatives for cost reduction, quality improvement, and operational efficiency. Serve as the lead change facilitator for the operation’s continuous improvement efforts, utilizing a hands-on approach at all levels within the plant. Gain buy-in from stakeholders at all levels to ensure successful implementation of process improvements and operational changes. Facilitate and drive change in a fast-paced and ever-changing environment, leveraging strong interpersonal, communication, and collaborative skills. Provide leadership, mentoring, and training to project teams on Lean methodologies and tools. Identify and drive Kaizen and focused continuous improvement events, working closely with manufacturing managers and operators. Utilize Lean principles and best practices to establish new work standards for machines, processes, and people to generate productivity savings, improve quality, enhance safety, and increase on-time delivery. Develop and implement strategies to improve equipment reliability, with an initial focus on critical or bottleneck equipment. Develop and create reports to measure progress and report Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to the management team. Provide clear and frequent updates to leadership in both Spanish and English regarding project status, issues, and results. Maintain a self-improvement program through conferences, seminars, courses, and readings to continue developing expertise in Lean manufacturing and operational excellence. Document and standardize best practices for continuous improvement. Support digital transformation initiatives as needed.

BS or MS in Materials, Industrial, or Mechanical Engineering. Minimum of 3–5 years’ experience in manufacturing operations. Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal supervision, including identifying problems, prioritizing actions, and implementing solutions. Past process engineering experience in manufacturing industries such as medical, electronics, automotive, aerospace, oil and gas, metals, or machinery. Experience with laser processing, injection molding, soldering, and value-add assembly manufacturing, is preferred. Proven track record of improving internal operations through the application of Six Sigma, Lean, DMAIC, PDCA, FMEA, Poka-Yoke, Visual Factory, and Kaizen initiatives. Certifications in Lean, Six Sigma, or related methodologies are preferred but not required. Fluency in both Spanish and English, with strong verbal and written communication skills.