Manufacturing Engineer

Position Summary

We're seeking a Manufacturing Engineer to support and improve automated manufacturing operations in a high-volume production environment. This is a backfill opportunity that supports the Robotic Welding group, so you would be touching robots regularly, with the opportunity to move into a specialized Robotic Welding Engineering role in the future.

This position will focus on manufacturing process improvement, robotic automation support, equipment implementation, troubleshooting production issues, and continuous improvement initiatives that improve quality, throughput, safety, and overall manufacturing performance. While this role will still work with robotic welding systems, the emphasis is broader manufacturing engineering rather than dedicated robot programming.

Responsibilities

• Support and improve manufacturing processes with a focus on robotic welding and automated production equipment.
• Assist with programming, troubleshooting, and optimization of industrial robots (ABB preferred; FANUC or similar experience acceptable).
• Identify and implement process improvements that increase quality, productivity, and manufacturing efficiency.
• Support production launches, new equipment installations, and manufacturing process validation.
• Troubleshoot manufacturing, robotic, mechanical, electrical, and process-related issues to minimize downtime.
• Work closely with production, maintenance, tooling, and quality teams to improve manufacturing performance.
• Assist with fixture improvements, tooling modifications, robot recovery, TCP calibration, and preventive maintenance initiatives.
• Analyze manufacturing data to identify bottlenecks and recommend corrective actions.
• Participate in continuous improvement projects focused on safety, quality, throughput, and cost reduction.
• Develop and maintain manufacturing documentation, work instructions, and process standards.
• Ensure compliance with manufacturing quality standards and safety requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related technical field preferred (equivalent experience considered).
• 2+ years of manufacturing engineering experience in an industrial manufacturing environment.
• Experience supporting industrial robots (ABB preferred; FANUC, Motoman/Yaskawa, or similar acceptable).
• Working knowledge of robotic welding processes including MIG/GMAW/FCAW.
• Experience troubleshooting automated manufacturing equipment.
• Ability to read engineering drawings and CAD models.
• Experience with manufacturing process improvement and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.

What You'll Like About This Opportunity

• Stable, established manufacturing company
• Flexible work schedule
• Half-day Fridays
• Company-issued travel card for business travel (no company vehicle required)
• Competitive health benefits and paid time off
• 401(k) with company match (details discussed during interview)

Local Target Companies

• Wacker Neuson America Corporation
• Gehl Company
• LMI Manufacturing
• Glenn Hepfner Inc.
• Steel Craft
• FabriFast

Boolean Buzzwords

Manufacturing Engineer
Manufacturing Engineering
Production Engineer
Process Engineer
Automation Engineer
Robotic Welding
Robot Programming
ABB
FANUC
Yaskawa
Motoman
RobotStudio
Manufacturing Automation
Industrial Automation
MIG
GMAW
FCAW
Robotic Cell
Weld Cell
Manufacturing Process
Continuous Improvement
Lean Manufacturing
Process Improvement
Root Cause Analysis
Troubleshooting
TCP
Fixture Design
Tooling
Heavy Fabrication
Metal Fabrication
Heavy Equipment

Intake Questionnaire

Is this a new position or a backfill?
Backfill

Why is the position open?
Backfill due to employee departure.

How many openings are there?
1

How soon are you looking to hire?
ASAP

What does an ideal candidate look like?
Manufacturing Engineer with hands-on experience supporting automated manufacturing processes and robotic welding systems. Strong process improvement mindset with the ability to troubleshoot production issues and drive continuous improvement.

Must-have skills
Manufacturing engineering; robotic automation experience; ABB preferred (or comparable robot experience); manufacturing process improvement; troubleshooting; welding process knowledge; fixture/tooling support.

Preferred qualifications
Bachelor's degree; heavy fabrication or heavy equipment manufacturing experience.

Non-negotiable requirements
Manufacturing engineering experience within an industrial manufacturing environment.

Preferred industries
Heavy equipment, metal fabrication, industrial manufacturing.

Avoid backgrounds
Non-industrial manufacturing backgrounds.

Salary range
DOE

Compensation flexible?
Yes

Commission?
N/A

Bonus?
Not usually; occasional company performance bonus.

Sign-on/Relocation
Yes, if a local candidate cannot be found.

Benefits
Health, PTO, flexible schedule, half-day Fridays, 401(k) with match (details discussed during interview).

401(k) match
To be discussed.

Other benefits
Company travel credit card; stable company.

Sell the opportunity
Excellent opportunity to improve manufacturing operations for an established manufacturer where welding is a core part of the business. High visibility, meaningful process improvement work, exposure to robotics and automation, flexible schedule, and long-term stability.

Why employees enjoy working here
Half-day Fridays, flexible hours, stable business.

Travel %
Occasional as needed.

Days/week traveling
As needed.

Weekend travel
No indication.

Territory
Company facilities around the country.

Overnight travel
Occasional if required; minimal.

Company vehicle
No.

Travel reimbursed
Yes.

Company credit card
Yes.

Per diem
No.

Travel booking
Yes.

Working hours
Flexible schedule; half-day Fridays.

Onsite/Hybrid/Remote
Onsite.

Overtime
No.

On-call
No.

Interview process
Teams interview followed by onsite interview.

Interview rounds
2-3

Interviewers
Bob Wetzel + one supervisor

Technical assessment
Yes, onsite.

Timeline
ASAP

Certifications
None required.

Physical requirements
Manufacturing floor exposure.

First-year expectations
Improve manufacturing efficiency, support robotic automation, reduce downtime, and drive measurable process improvements.

Highly successful
Strong manufacturing engineering fundamentals, hands-on automation support, effective troubleshooting, and a continuous improvement mindset that positively impacts quality, throughput, and manufacturing performance.