What are the responsibilities and job description for the Industrial Manufacturing Engineer Technician position at Outer Armor by Commercial Sewing, Inc.?
We are seeking a highly motivated and hands-on Industrial Manufacturing Engineer Technician to support and improve manufacturing operations in a fast-paced, high-mix production environment. This role is responsible for optimizing production processes, supporting new product introductions, troubleshooting manufacturing challenges, and driving continuous improvement initiatives across operations.
The ideal candidate combines strong technical and analytical skills with practical manufacturing experience and thrives working directly on the production floor. This position serves as a critical bridge between Engineering, Operations, Quality, and Production teams to improve throughput, quality, safety, and cost performance.
Key Responsibilities
Process Improvement & Manufacturing Optimization
- Analyze manufacturing processes to identify bottlenecks, waste, inefficiencies, and variability
- Implement process improvements to increase throughput, yield, labor efficiency, and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE)
- Conduct time studies, workflow analysis, capacity evaluations, and line balancing activities
- Lead and support Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, 5S, and continuous improvement initiatives
- Develop standardized work and sustainable process controls
Production Support & Troubleshooting
- Provide daily hands-on support to production operations and manufacturing personnel
- Troubleshoot process, tooling, equipment, and workflow issues to minimize downtime
- Monitor process performance metrics and implement corrective actions as needed
- Support root cause analysis investigations and corrective/preventive action implementation (CAPA)
- Ensure manufacturing systems remain safe, reliable, repeatable, and efficient
New Product Introduction (NPI)
- Support the transition of new products from engineering design into production
- Assist with development of manufacturing methods, routings, work instructions, and process documentation
- Collaborate with Engineering, Quality, and Operations teams to validate manufacturing readiness
- Support pilot builds, process validation, and production launch activities
- Identify opportunities for manufacturability improvements and risk reduction
Tooling, Fixtures & CAD Support
- Assist in the design, fabrication, and implementation of tooling, fixtures, jigs, and assembly aids
- Utilize CAD software to create and revise manufacturing drawings, layouts, and process documentation
- Support facility and workstation layout optimization to improve flow and ergonomics
- Coordinate tooling improvements to improve safety, repeatability, and efficiency
Documentation & Data Analysis
- Create and maintain SOPs, work instructions, process flows, and technical documentation
- Collect, analyze, and report production and quality data to support operational improvements
- Prepare reports related to process capability, efficiency metrics, scrap reduction, and quality trends
- Support documentation requirements for audits, quality systems, and operational standards
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Work closely with Engineering, Operations, Quality, Maintenance, and R&D teams on manufacturing initiatives
- Participate in capital equipment evaluations, implementation, and justification activities
- Support continuous improvement projects focused on safety, quality, delivery, and cost objectives
- Train and support production personnel on new processes and process changes
Qualifications
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related technical field — or equivalent hands-on manufacturing experience
- Minimum 5 years of manufacturing, process engineering, or industrial engineering experience
- Strong hands-on experience in production and manufacturing environments
- Experience supporting high-mix, configurable, or semi-custom manufacturing operations preferred
- Strong troubleshooting, analytical, and problem-solving skills
- Ability to work independently while managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
- Effective communication and collaboration skills across all levels of the organization
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement methodologies
- Six Sigma Green Belt certification preferred (Black Belt a plus)
- CAD proficiency (SolidWorks or equivalent)
- Experience designing or supporting tooling, fixtures, and manufacturing aids
- Experience with assembly-based or sewn-product manufacturing environments preferred
- Knowledge of manufacturing process validation and process capability analysis
- Demonstrated leadership skills with the ability to drive process improvements and achieve measurable results
Key Competencies
- Process Optimization
- Manufacturing Troubleshooting
- Lean Manufacturing
- Root Cause Analysis
- Production Support
- Continuous Improvement
- Technical Documentation
- Data Analysis & Reporting
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Project Coordination
- CAD & Tooling Support
- Communication & Leadership
Work Environment & Physical Requirements
- Frequent presence on the production floor in a manufacturing environment
- Ability to stand, walk, bend, and lift up to 25 lbs as needed
- Exposure to machinery, manufacturing equipment, and industrial work environments
- Ability to support occasional extended hours based on production demands and project schedules
Why Join Us
This is an opportunity to play a direct role in improving manufacturing performance, implementing meaningful process improvements, and supporting innovative products in a collaborative and growth-oriented environment. You will work alongside experienced engineering and operations teams while gaining exposure to continuous improvement, manufacturing technology, and operational leadership initiatives.