Manufacturing Engineer

Koch Finishing Systems designs and builds custom automated finishing equipment for industrial customers. Our systems support coating, curing, material handling, and process control in low-volume, high-mix manufacturing environments. We value safety, continuous improvement, and teamwork.

Position Summary
The Manufacturing Engineer supports production by improving manufacturing processes, layouts, and work methods. This role focuses on efficiency, safety, sustainability, and standardization while partnering closely with manufacturing, engineering, and operations leadership.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop and manage internal improvement projects related to manufacturing processes, material flow, and work methods.
• Supports organizational sustainability implementation.
• Conduct value stream mapping (VSM), time studies, and work-in-process (WIP) analysis to identify non-value-added activities.
• Design and improve manufacturing equipment layouts, material flow paths, and work areas to improve efficiency and safety.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (manufacturing, engineering, maintenance, purchasing, and safety) to drive continuous improvement projects.  
• Develop and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) and work instructions.
• Facilitates capital equipment justification, specification, and budget management.
• Partner with manufacturing leadership to analyze workload, labor requirements, and process constraints to support effective production planning decisions.  
• Apply lean manufacturing principles to improve flow, reduce waste, and improve productivity in a low-volume, high-mix environment.
• Partner with internal and external teams to define efficient manufacturing methods for new or modified equipment, including tooling, fixtures, and work methods.
• Evaluate manpower needs, workspace requirements, and timing for manufacturing process improvements.
• Serve as a change agent by helping teams adopt improved methods through training, communication, and engagement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience).

• 2 years of manufacturing or industrial engineering experience preferred.

• Experience with lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, and process optimization.

• Ability to create and maintain SOPs and work instructions.

• Experience with time studies, VSM, and layout design.

• Strong communication and teamwork skills.

• Comfortable working in a shop-floor environment.