What are the responsibilities and job description for the Manufacturing Engineer 2 position at HIGHWAY PRODUCTS, Inc?
Description
JOB SUMMARY:
The Manufacturing Engineer 2 is responsible for developing, improving, and sustaining manufacturing processes within a Lean production environment. This role focuses on optimizing metal fabrication and assembly operations, improving workflow, eliminating waste, and supporting production teams to achieve safety, quality, delivery, and cost goals. Working closely with production, quality, supply chain, and engineering teams, Manufacturing Engineer 2 drives continuous improvement, supports new product introductions, and ensures manufacturing processes are efficient, reliable, and scalable.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Design, develop, and improve manufacturing processes for fabrication and assembly operations.
- Analyze production workflows to identify opportunities for waste reduction, cycle time improvement, and increased efficiency.
- Develop and maintain standard work instructions, process documentation, and visual management tools.
- Lead Lean and continuous improvement initiatives, including 5S, Kaizen, Kanban, and value stream mapping.
- Facilitate problem-solving activities, root cause analysis, and PDCA cycles to address process and quality issues.
- Provide technical support to production teams, troubleshoot equipment or workflow issues, and optimize line balance and labor utilization.
- Support new product launches by designing processes, determining tooling requirements, and ensuring production readiness.
- Collaborate with engineering and design teams to ensure manufacturability and process feasibility.
- Implement quality and process controls, including error-proofing (poka-yoke) and corrective actions.
- Identify tooling and equipment needs, support implementation, and improve equipment reliability and uptime.
- Prepare and maintain production metrics to track improvements in throughput, efficiency, waste reduction, and quality.
Requirements
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing, Mechanical, or Industrial Engineering, or equivalent experience.
- 3–7 years of experience in manufacturing engineering, ideally in metal fabrication, machining, welding, or assembly.
- Strong knowledge of Lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement practices.
- Experience with 3D CAD, ERP/MRP systems, and production data analysis.
- Familiarity with CNC machining, sheet metal fabrication, welding, and assembly processes.
- Proven problem-solving skills, including root cause analysis and process optimization.
- Strong communication and collaboration skills for cross-functional teamwork.
- Detail-oriented with the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Lean or Six Sigma certification or training – Preferred
- Experience implementing Kanban systems and value stream mapping – Preferred
- Proficiency with SolidWorks or similar CAD software – Preferred