Manufacturing Process Engineer

THIS POSITION IS NOT REMOTE!!!! CANDIDATES MUST LIVE IN THE AREA OR RELOCATE PRIOR TO OFFER. ALL INTERVIEWS ARE IN PERSON!!!!!!

Position Summary

We are seeking a hands-on, results-driven Production Process Engineer to improve manufacturing processes, optimize production flow, support production control and scheduling, and drive continuous improvement throughout a custom sheet metal and fabrication facility.

This position will work closely with production, engineering, quality, purchasing, and customer service to ensure jobs move efficiently from raw material through fabrication, welding, finishing, and final shipment. The ideal candidate will have practical experience with 5S workplace organization, lean manufacturing, production planning and scheduling, and sheet metal fabrication processes, including laser cutting, turret punching, press brakes, welding, and paint line operations.

The successful candidate will be comfortable working on the production floor, identifying bottlenecks, solving manufacturing problems, and implementing sustainable process improvements that improve safety, quality, productivity, and on-time delivery.

Qualifications and Experience

• Associate's or bachelor’s degree in manufacturing engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field preferred; equivalent hands-on manufacturing experience may be considered.

• Three or more years of experience in manufacturing engineering, process improvement, production control, production scheduling, or a similar role preferred.

• Demonstrated experience implementing and sustaining 5S and lean manufacturing practices.

• Practical knowledge of custom sheet metal fabrication and manufacturing workflows.

• Understanding of laser cutting, turret punching, press brake operations, welding, and industrial paint line processes.

• Experience with production scheduling, work order management, capacity planning, and work-in-process control.

• Familiarity with ERP/MRP systems, manufacturing routings, BOMs, and production reporting.

• Strong problem-solving skills, including root-cause analysis and corrective action implementation.

• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, manufacturing specifications, and process documentation.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and other production planning or reporting tools.

• Strong communication, organizational, analytical, and project management skills.

• Ability to work effectively on the production floor and collaborate with employees at all levels.

• Experience in a high-mix, low-volume or make-to-order custom fabrication environment.

• Knowledge of finite-capacity scheduling, constraint management, and production dispatching.

• Experience with lean tools such as value stream mapping, standard work, visual controls, and setup-time reduction.

• Familiarity with nesting software, CNC programming workflows, press brake tooling, welding fixtures, and finishing operations.

• Experience establishing production KPIs, visual production boards, and daily management routines.

• Background in reducing lead times, improving on-time delivery, and increasing manufacturing throughout.

Key Responsibilities

Production Process Engineering and Continuous Improvement

• Analyze existing manufacturing processes and identify opportunities to improve workflow, productivity, quality, and labor efficiency.

• Develop, implement, and maintain standardized work instructions, operating procedures, and process documentation.

• Identify production bottlenecks, reduce unnecessary handling and movement, and improve material flow throughout the facility.

• Apply lean manufacturing principles, including waste reduction, standard work, visual management, and continuous improvement initiatives.

• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs), including throughput, scrap, rework, machine utilization, labor efficiency, and on-time delivery.

• Work with production teams to troubleshoot manufacturing issues and implement corrective and preventive actions.

• Support the introduction of new products, manufacturing methods, tooling, and process changes.

5S and Workplace Organization

• Lead and sustain 5S initiatives throughout fabrication, welding, finishing, paint, and material storage areas.

• Establish standards for workplace organization, cleanliness, tool storage, equipment identification, and visual controls.

• Conduct regular 5S audits and work with department supervisors to address deficiencies.

• Develop visual management systems to improve shop-floor communication, accountability, and production visibility.

• Train and engage employees in 5S practices and continuous improvement activities.

• Promote a culture of ownership, discipline, safety, and ongoing process improvement.

Sheet Metal Fabrication Process Knowledge

Provide technical support and process improvement across the following manufacturing operations:

• Laser Cutting: Improve nesting efficiency, material utilization, cut quality, machine loading, and setup practices.

• Turret Punching: Optimize tooling selection, setup times, program efficiency, and production sequencing.

• Press Brake Operations: Improve bend sequences, tooling utilization, setup reduction, first-piece quality, and repeatability.

• Welding and Fabrication: Improve fit-up, weld quality, fixture utilization, labor efficiency, and work-cell layout.

• Paint Line and Finishing: Improve part flow, batch scheduling, loading efficiency, changeover practices, coating quality, and coordination between fabrication and finishing.

• Material Handling and Assembly: Improve routing, staging, inventory flow, and movement of parts between production departments.

Quality, Safety, and Cost Improvement

• Collaborate with quality personnel to reduce scrap, rework, defects, and process variation.

• Investigate recurring production problems and implement root-cause corrective actions.

• Review manufacturing methods to reduce operating costs, setup time, material waste, and unnecessary labor.

• Ensure process improvements align with established quality standards, work instructions, and safety requirements.

• Support preventive maintenance coordination and identify equipment-related constraints affecting production.

• Maintain accurate process documentation, production records, and improvement project tracking.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Work directly with supervisors, machine operators, welders, and finishing personnel to identify and resolve day-to-day production challenges.

• Facilitate production meetings and communicate schedule priorities, constraints, and improvement opportunities.

• Train employees in revised processes, standardized work, 5S expectations, and visual management systems.

• Collaborate with management to establish measurable operational goals and improvement plans.

• Lead projects that improve overall equipment effectiveness, production capacity, quality, and customer satisfaction.

Well Established Manufacturing Plant