Lead Manufacturing Engineer

Lead Manufacturing Engineer

We're partnering with an industry-leading manufacturing organization seeking a Lead Manufacturing Engineer to provide technical leadership, drive process improvements, and support the development of high-quality products in a complex manufacturing environment. This role will oversee and mentor a team of manufacturing engineers while serving as a key liaison between engineering, operations, product development, and supply chain teams. The ideal candidate will bring a strong background in manufacturing processes, continuous improvement, and cross-functional project leadership.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate the activities of a manufacturing engineering team to support business objectives and operational goals.
• Establish team priorities, set performance expectations, and drive accountability for deliverables.
• Conduct Design for Manufacturing (DFM) reviews to improve product manufacturability and efficiency.
• Review engineering methods and processes to identify waste reduction and continuous improvement opportunities.
• Partner with product engineering, product management, and operations teams to ensure alignment between product designs and manufacturing capabilities.
• Serve as a manufacturing engineering subject matter expert across cross-functional teams and supplier partners.
• Support new product introduction efforts and continuous improvement initiatives through manufacturing process expertise.
• Develop and maintain technical documentation in accordance with engineering standards and procedures.
• Lead tooling, equipment, and process strategy discussions with internal teams and external partners.
• Coordinate cross-functional meetings to ensure operational readiness and successful project execution.
• Coach and mentor team members while supporting professional development and onboarding efforts.
• Lead structured problem-solving activities to improve quality, productivity, and cost performance.

Required & Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related engineering discipline required.
• Master's degree in Engineering or a business-related field preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of engineering experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Previous leadership, team lead, or project management experience preferred.
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes, machining practices, mechanical principles, and materials.
• Experience with Design for Manufacturing (DFM), process improvement, and cost reduction initiatives.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and GD&T requirements.
• Knowledge of tolerance analysis and statistical process control methodologies.
• Experience implementing Lean Manufacturing tools and continuous improvement practices.
• Familiarity with automated production equipment, CNC machining, and conventional manufacturing processes.
• Strong project planning, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Proficiency with Mastercam, Esprit, and Microsoft Office applications.
• Lean Green Belt or Lean Black Belt certification preferred.

Additional consideration will be given to candidates with expertise in precision machining, advanced manufacturing processes, new product development, and leading engineering teams in high-volume production environments.