Manufacturing Engineer

Small Electronics Manufacturing Company (Mid-Level Position)

Position Summary

The Manufacturing Engineer serves as a self-directed technical contributor in a small, dynamic electronics manufacturing environment where versatility and initiative are essential. This position requires independent problem-solving, proactive process improvement, and the ability to manage multiple projects with minimal supervision. The ideal candidate thrives in ambiguity, seeks learning opportunities without prompting, and takes ownership of manufacturing challenges from identification through resolution. In our small company setting, this engineer will wear multiple hats and directly impact product quality, customer satisfaction, and operational efficiency.

Core Responsibilities

Independent Process Ownership (35%)

Take full ownership of assigned product lines without day-to-day supervision

Proactively identify process gaps and implement improvements before issues escalate

Self-audit processes and documentation, updating without being prompted

Research and propose new manufacturing methods based on industry trends

Develop contingency plans for critical processes without management direction

Monitor industry publications and forums for applicable solutions

Create and maintain process roadmaps for continuous improvement

Take initiative to cross-train on unfamiliar equipment and processes

SMT Programming & Optimization (20%)

Independently develop and release SMT programs from CAD data to production

Optimize existing programs based on self-initiated yield analysis

Anticipate and resolve programming issues before production impact

Build comprehensive component libraries without supervision

Identify opportunities for standardization across product families

Research and implement advanced programming features independently

Develop programming templates and standards for team use

Train yourself on new equipment capabilities through manuals and experimentation

Proactive Problem Solving (20%)

Monitor production metrics daily and investigate anomalies without prompting

Develop systematic approaches to recurring issues

Research root causes using online resources, vendor contacts, and experimentation

Implement permanent corrective actions with minimal oversight

Anticipate potential problems during NPI and address preemptively

Build relationships with equipment vendors for technical support

Create troubleshooting guides based on learned experiences

Seek out problems others haven't noticed yet

Customer Program Management (15%)

Independently manage customer technical relationships for assigned accounts

Anticipate customer needs and prepare solutions proactively

Take initiative to improve customer documentation and reporting

Identify upselling opportunities through manufacturing improvements

Resolve customer complaints with minimal escalation

Proactively communicate potential issues before customers discover them

Research customer industries to better understand their requirements

Develop account-specific quality and process improvements

Self-Directed Learning & Development (10%)

Identify personal knowledge gaps and seek training without prompting

Master new equipment through self-study and experimentation

Pursue relevant certifications and online courses independently

Build expertise in emerging technologies relevant to company growth

Learn from other departments to understand full business context

Attend webinars and virtual conferences on own initiative

Document and share self-learned knowledge with team

Experiment with new techniques during off-hours or slow periods