Senior Manufacturing Engineer (Programmatic)

Eaton’s ES AMER ARS division is currently seeking a Senior Manufacturing Engineer (Programmatic). This role will take place at our growing Sumter, SC facility. We are able to offer relocation assistance for qualified candidates within the United States.

The Senior Manufacturing Engineer (Programmatic) ensures the Sumter site is prepared to execute programmatic panelboard and switchboard jobs for data center customers by driving manufacturing readiness, design optimization, and delivery of key engineering outputs. The role applies DFMA principles to reduce complexity and improve manufacturability while developing PFMEAs, control plans, process maps, method sheets, and material‑flow strategies. It also leads “golden unit” builds to validate processes and establish production‑ready standards. Working closely with design, industrialization, production, and supply chain teams, the engineer helps define assembly methods, optimize wiring and routing practices, specify equipment and fixtures, and confirm process capability prior to full‑rate production. This position enhances process consistency, efficiency, and scalability across programmatic products while capturing lessons learned and driving continuous improvement for future program launches.

The expected annual salary range for this role is $86000 - $126000 a year. This position is also eligible for a variable incentive program.

Please note the salary information shown above is a general guideline only. Salaries are based upon candidate skills, experience, and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations.

What You’ll Do

• Lead manufacturing readiness for programmatic jobs. Improve product and process design. Reduce complexity. Ensure all processes are ready for production and communicate manufacturing readiness status.
• Drive design improvements through DFM and DFA. Work with design teams to simplify features, standardize components, and ensure the product can be built with stable processes. Identify design changes that shorten assembly time, improve wiring access, reduce adjustments, and enhance fit‑up.
• Guide the first‑of‑kind “golden unit” build. Verify that the product can be built safely, efficiently, and correctly before full production begins.
• Integrate wiring cut lists into manufacturing. Ensure front‑end engineering data is accurate. Confirm wiring jobs run correctly on the Komax machine. Convert wire bundles into complete wiring harnesses.
• Support all launch planning activities. Develop process maps, method sheets, control plans, PFMEAs, and change‑management steps. Conduct process capability studies.
• Specify tools, equipment, and fixtures. Identify what is needed to support efficient, repeatable production.
• Set wiring and routing standards. Work with production teams to create clear methods for wiring paths and assembly flow.
• Define material management strategy. Improve how materials are delivered, stored, and replenished on the production floor.
• Train, guide, and support operators. Build capability across the team by teaching correct methods and ensuring process understanding.
• Support capacity planning. Help build models that improve line loading, improve machine and labor utilization, and reduce bottlenecks.
• Reduce lead time from order release to full‑rate production. Improve processes through lessons learned and continuous improvement. Design systems that scale as demand grows.
• Strengthen process consistency and standardization. Ensure best practices are applied across all programmatic products.
  
  
  

Qualifications

Required (Basic) Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering from an accredited institution.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in quality, manufacturing engineering, and/or operations in a manufacturing or industrial environment.
• Eaton will not consider applicants for employment immigration sponsorship or support for this position. This means that Eaton will not support any CPT, OPT, or STEM OPT plans, F-1 to H-1B, H-1B cap registration, O-1, E-3, TN status, I-485 job portability, etc.
  
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Industrial Engineering from an accredited institution.
• Lean Six Sigma Certification (green belt or higher)
  
  
  

Skills

• Knowledge of Switchboard and Panelboard product design and manufacturing processes.
• AutoCAD; 3D Modeling (Inventor)
• Statistical analysis
• Project management tools (Phase/Gate process)
• Strong analytical skills and business acumen.
• Execution and Results driven. Boots on the ground.
• Must be able to achieve goals by working collaboratively and cross-functionally.
• Must be capable of working effectively and training team members of different capabilities and understanding.
• Motivated to provide solutions and solve problems.
  
  
  

We are committed to ensuring equal employment opportunities for all job applicants and employees. Employment decisions are based upon job-related reasons regardless of an applicant's race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, marital status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by law.

Eaton believes in second chance employment. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction history will be considered regardless of their arrest or conviction history, consistent with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, the California Fair Chance Act and other local laws.

You do not need to disclose your conviction history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if Eaton is concerned about conviction that is directly related to the job, you will be given the chance to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide mitigating evidence, or challenge the accuracy of the background report.

To request a disability-related reasonable accommodation to assist you in your job search, application, or interview process, please call us at 1-800-836-6345 to discuss your specific need. Only accommodation requests will be accepted by this phone number.

We know that good benefit programs are important to employees and their families. Eaton provides various Health and Welfare benefits as well as Retirement benefits, and several programs that provide for paid and unpaid time away from work. Click here for more detail: Eaton Benefits Overview. Please note that specific programs and options available to an employee may depend on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements.