Manufacturing & Continuous Improvement Engineer III

JOB SUMMARY

The Senior Manufacturing Engineer / Continuous Improvement Engineer III provides advanced production and technical support for manufacturing processes, equipment, and fabrication drawings. This role is responsible not only for day-to-day production support, but also for driving process optimization, leading capital equipment initiatives, designing tooling, and supporting fabrication and drawing requirements.

The Senior Engineer works independently with minimal supervision, leads cross-functional improvement initiatives, and serves as a technical resource to manufacturing, quality, supply chain, and leadership teams. This role also provides technical leadership and supervision of engineering drafters and process technicians to ensure accurate documentation, effective process support, and alignment with manufacturing and continuous improvement objectives. Responsibilities include ownership of continuous improvement efforts, CAPEX development and execution, and support of fabrication and tooling drawing needs.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Safety, Compliance, and Professional Development

• Support and promote the company’s vision, mission, and guiding principles.
• Observe all applicable Safety, Health, and Environmental (SHE) rules and guidelines.
• Properly use required personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Adhere to company operating procedures, employment policies, and safety standards.
• Attend and actively participate in training, seminars, and professional development opportunities relevant to manufacturing engineering and continuous improvement.

Manufacturing & Production Support

• Provide timely and effective resolution of product, process, and equipment issues using structured root cause analysis and corrective action methodologies.
• Support production operations through troubleshooting, process stabilization, and technical guidance.
• Interface effectively with manufacturing, quality assurance, marketing, supply chain, vendors, and customers to resolve technical issues and implement improvements.

Process Optimization & Continuous Improvement

• Develop, test, and optimize manufacturing processes for new and existing products to reduce variability, improve yields, lower operating costs, and increase throughput.
• Lead and support continuous improvement initiatives using Lean, Six Sigma, and other CI tools and methodologies.
• Identify opportunities for waste reduction, cycle-time improvement, and process standardization across the facility.
• Recommend and implement technical, design, or process changes to improve efficiency, quality, and performance.

Capital Equipment & Technology Implementation

• Identify, evaluate, and justify new manufacturing equipment and technologies, including development of CAPEX business cases, cost/benefit analyses, and ROI calculations.
• Lead or support the selection, specification, installation, commissioning, and validation of new equipment.
• Coordinate with vendors, contractors, and internal stakeholders during equipment installation and startup.

Tooling, Fixtures, & Fabrication Support

• Design or support the design of manufacturing tooling, fixtures, and aids to improve safety, quality, and productivity.
• Review project instructions, specifications, and customer requirements to define fabrication and assembly needs.
• Create, review, and maintain fabrication and manufacturing drawings; provide graphical representations of special and standard customer order requirements.
• Collaborate with drafting, engineering, and production teams to resolve design, fabrication, and assembly issues.

Engineering Documentation & Fabrication Support

• Create and maintain technical drawings, layouts, and graphical representations for standard and special customer orders.
• Review project instructions, specifications, and technical documents to define fabrication and assembly requirements.
• Support fabrication drawing needs, including coordination of changes in design, manufacturing methods, assembly techniques, and drafting standards.
• Evaluate designs and specifications to ensure manufacturability, quality, and compliance.

Technical Leadership & Supervision

• Provide day-to-day technical direction, task prioritization, and workload coordination for engineering drafters and process technicians supporting manufacturing and fabrication activities.
• Review, approve, and ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance of drawings, process documentation, and technical work produced by drafters and process technicians.
• Assign drafting and process support work based on project priorities, production needs, and individual skill levels.
• Serve as the primary technical escalation point for drafting and process-related issues impacting manufacturing, tooling, or fabrication.
• Establish and maintain drafting, documentation, and process standards to ensure consistency, manufacturability, and compliance with company and customer requirements.
• Mentor, train, and coach drafters and process technicians in best practices related to fabrication drawings, process documentation, Lean principles, and standard work.
• Support performance development of assigned technical staff by providing feedback, technical guidance, and recommendations for skill development and training.
• Coordinate drafting and process resources to support capital projects, continuous improvement initiatives, and production support activities.
• Collaborate with engineering leadership to identify resource needs, capability gaps, and opportunities to improve drafting and process support effectiveness.

Communication & Collaboration

• Confer with engineers, technicians, operators, and other technical personnel to prepare designs and operational plans.
• Communicate effectively with supervisors, coworkers, and stakeholders through written reports, email, meetings, and presentations.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineers or technical staff as appropriate.

Information & Systems Support

• Review, generate, and maintain engineering and manufacturing documentation in electronic systems.
• Support document management processes, including electronic document processing, retrieval, and distribution.
• Conduct needs assessments related to engineering documentation and process information flow, collaborating with internal teams to implement improvements.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential duties of the position. The requirements below represent the knowledge, skills, and abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Industrial, or Manufacturing Engineering, or a related discipline.
• 7 years of manufacturing engineering experience supporting metal and plastic fabrication, machining, assembly, slitting, and distribution operations.
• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification with demonstrated application of Lean and Continuous Improvement methodologies.
• Proven ability to analyze manufacturing data and apply statistical methods (SPC, capability analysis, trend analysis) to drive process improvements and support decision-making.
• Experience leading process optimization, tooling and fixture design, and production support initiatives.
• Demonstrated experience evaluating, specifying, and implementing automation and capital equipment, including development of CAPEX justifications and ROI analyses.
• Proficiency in engineering drafting and design, including creation and revision of fabrication, tooling, and assembly drawings.
• Working proficiency with CAD software such as SolidWorks, AutoCAD, Inventor, or equivalent, including GD&T interpretation.
• Strong problem-solving skills with experience performing root cause analysis and implementing sustainable corrective actions.
• Ability to coach and mentor others in Lean tools, problem-solving techniques, and standard work.
• High proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel (data analysis and reporting), PowerPoint, Word, and Power BI.
• Experience using ERP, CRM, or manufacturing systems in a data-driven environment.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to work effectively across manufacturing, quality, maintenance, suppliers, and leadership teams.