Director of Manufacturing Engineering

Job Description

Right from the start, American Locker has continually led the industry we invented with an unstoppable series of innovative solutions - like inventing the first coin-operated locker. Our years of innovative American manufacturing have led us to create the widest range of customized solutions in the industry. Our smart locker systems are built to satisfy any solution with maximum security; intelligent key-less lockers that accept credit cards, charge laptops, send text messages, and more.

We’re seeking a Director of Manufacturing Engineering to join the growing American Locker team!

The Director of Manufacturing Engineering is a critical leadership role responsible for bridging product design and scalable production. This individual owns the full manufacturing engineering function at the plant—ensuring that products are designed, released, and continuously improved in a way that enables efficient, high-quality, and cost-effective manufacturing.

This role is both strategic and hands-on. You will define how work gets built, lead rapid prototyping efforts, and drive continuous improvement across the factory. You’ll operate with a high degree of autonomy, building structure where it doesn’t yet exist and taking full ownership of the engineering roadmap and deliverables.

This is an opportunity to help modernize and rebuild a legacy manufacturing operation into a highly efficient, scalable system.

What You’ll Do

Manufacturing Engineering Ownership

• Own manufacturing readiness for all products—from prototype through full production
  
• Define and maintain routings, work instructions, and labor standards
  
• Ensure BOMs, drawings, and specifications are complete and production-ready
  
• Lead first-article builds and production launches
  
• Serve as the primary bridge between product/design engineering and the factory floor
  

Production Release & Execution

• Oversee the release of work orders into production systems (e.g., MIE Trak)
  
• Ensure jobs are fully defined and executable without ambiguity or delay
  
• Eliminate production disruptions caused by engineering gaps
  
• Standardize how work moves from order → instruction → build
  

Rapid Prototyping & New Product Introduction

• Lead heavy prototyping efforts, especially in sheet metal fabrication
  
• Translate new product concepts into manufacturability quickly
  
• Build scalable processes for introducing new products into production
  

Continuous Improvement & Operational Efficiency

• Drive Lean and Six Sigma initiatives across the plant
  Analyze labor, cycle times, and production constraints
  
• Improve cell layouts, material flow, and ergonomics
  
• Reduce scrap, rework, and non-value-added labor
  
• Partner closely with Operations on Kaizen events and standard work
  

Engineering Change & Quality

• Own the Engineering Change Order (ECO) process and governance
  
• Lead root cause analysis for engineering-related defects
  
• Drive corrective actions into design and manufacturing standards
  
• Support ISO and quality system alignment
  

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead and develop a small but high-impact manufacturing engineering team (2 direct reports)
  
• Set direction, priorities, and accountability for the function
  
• Build structure, processes, and clarity in an environment with minimal existing framework
  

What Success Looks Like

• Manufacturing processes are clearly defined, repeatable, and scalable
  
• Production runs with minimal disruption due to engineering gaps
  
• New products move quickly and successfully from concept to production
  
• Measurable improvements in efficiency, throughput, and quality
  
• Strong alignment between engineering, quality, and operations
  

Key Metrics

• Labor variance vs. standard
  
• Scrap and rework reduction
  
• Cycle time and throughput improvements
  
• First-pass yield / first-article success
  
• ECO cycle time and repeat defect reduction
  

Requirements

Requirements We’re Looking For

• 10+ years of manufacturing engineering experience
  
• 10+ years of leadership experience
  
• 5+ years of hands-on sheet metal manufacturing experience (required)
  
• Proven experience in rapid prototyping and new product introduction (NPI)
  
• Forming, powder coat experience a plus (not required)
  
• Experience building routings, work instructions, and labor standards
  
• Strong background in Lean Manufacturing and/or Six Sigma
  
• Experience operating in or improving legacy manufacturing environments preferred
  

Leadership & Mindset

• Self-starter who thrives in ambiguity and builds structure from scratch
  
• Comfortable operating with minimal training or existing processes
  
• Strong ownership mindset—you don’t wait for direction, you create it
  
• Willing to ask for support and collaborate cross-functionally
  
• Ambitious and motivated to help rebuild and modernize a business
  
  

Benefits

What You'll Get

• Be part of a rapidly growing, innovative company transforming package management solutions.
  
• Work within a collaborative team environment guided by clear core values and EOS methodology.
  
• Competitive compensation, professional growth opportunities, and impactful work.
  
• 401(k) with employer match
  
• Generous health, dental, and vision benefits
  
• Accrued Paid Time Off and Sick Leave
  

Requirements
10+ years of manufacturing engineering experience 5+ years of hands-on sheet metal manufacturing experience (required) Proven experience in rapid prototyping and new product introduction Experience building routings, work instructions, and labor standards Strong background in Lean Manufacturing and/or Six Sigma Experience operating in or improving legacy manufacturing environments preferred