Manufacturing Engineer I

Job Title: Manufacturing Engineer I 

Client: Heavy Machine Manufacturing Company
Duration: 12 Months | Possible Extension
Location: Moline, IL 61265
Shift: 1st Shift | 6:00 AM – 2:30 PM
Work Arrangement: Onsite

Job Summary

The Manufacturing Engineer I – Weld will provide front-line engineering support for welding operations within the Order Fulfillment Process (OFP). This role focuses on troubleshooting production-line issues, supporting quality requirements, improving welding fixtures and tooling, and driving continuous improvement initiatives.

Important: This position supports welding operations but does not involve performing welding applications.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide front-line support for manual and robotic welding operations, including responding to line calls and troubleshooting production issues.

• Support operators with welding-related quality questions and concerns.

• Troubleshoot issues involving welding fixtures, tooling, equipment, and manufacturing processes.

• Collaborate with the weld manufacturing engineering team to support projects and daily production operations.

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives related to fixtures, tooling, production efficiency, and weld-process performance.

• Support improvements in line and process design, material presentation, cycle-time balance, and production flow.

• Assist with quality assessments, process inspections, and resolution of manufacturing issues.

• Analyze manufacturing processes and recommend improvements to safety, quality, and efficiency.

• Support engineering testing, feasibility studies, process changes, and implementation of engineering solutions.

• Coordinate with production teams, suppliers, and other engineering stakeholders as required.

• Follow established engineering standards, safety requirements, and quality procedures.

Required Skills & Qualifications

• 1–3 years of relevant experience in manufacturing engineering, production support, or a related field.

• Educational or professional background in Mechanical, Welding, Industrial, or related Engineering.

• Knowledge of manufacturing processes, quality, tooling, and tool design.

• Experience supporting production-floor operations and troubleshooting manufacturing issues.

• Understanding of welding processes, fixtures, material presentation, and production-line efficiency.

• Familiarity with total preventative maintenance (TPM), facilities, and manufacturing equipment.

• Ability to use engineering tools, systems, and databases.

• Strong problem-solving, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.

• Ability to manage multiple tasks and support changing production priorities.

Preferred Skills – What Makes You Stand Out

• Experience with robotic welding systems, particularly FANUC.

• Quality Engineering or other quality-related experience involving welding processes.

• Knowledge of manual and robotic welding operations.

• Experience with fixture and tooling improvements.

• Understanding of line and process design, cycle imbalance, material presentation, and manufacturing management tools.

• Familiarity with PLCs, robotic systems, tool design, and assembly processes.

• Experience implementing continuous improvement initiatives in a manufacturing environment.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or equivalent relevant manufacturing engineering experience.

• Preferred disciplines include Mechanical, Welding, Industrial, or a related engineering field.

• 1–3 years of relevant experience in manufacturing engineering or production support.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate has hands-on experience supporting welding operations in a manufacturing environment. They can troubleshoot production-line issues, assist with quality concerns, improve fixtures and tooling, and work closely with operators and engineers to improve safety, quality, and production efficiency. Experience with robotic welding systems, FANUC, and welding-related quality processes is a strong advantage.