MANUFACTURING ENGINEER Job at Align Production Systems in Decatur

We are seeking an experienced, fast-paced, and dynamic Manufacturing Engineer to lead lean management initiatives, oversee field installations, and manage manufacturing engineering operations. This role will take a strategic approach to process optimization using The Align Way principles, manage field installation teams, and drive continuous improvement throughout the organization. The role also includes tracking key performance indicators (KPIs), root cause analysis, design reviews, and the release process. The position requires up to 25% travel for field operations.

Key Responsibilities:

Lean Management Leader:

• Lead The Align Way lean management principles, which emphasize direct observation, daily problem-solving rituals, and a commitment to continuous improvement.
• Foster a culture that prioritizes employee and customer care, using a hands-on approach to address challenges and drive improvement on the factory floor.
• Implement lean initiatives by dedicating resources to observation, data collection, and experimentation, ensuring that all improvements are sustainable and driven by creativity rather than financial fixes.
• Collaborate across all levels of the organization to maintain a focus on simplicity, productivity, and efficiency, setting KPIs that measure against both internal achievements and world-class benchmarks.
• Drive a company-wide culture of experimentation, encouraging teams to take ownership of change and continuous improvement initiatives.

Field Installations:

• Oversee all field installation and service work, managing the process from planning through execution to ensure projects meet quality standards and are delivered on time.
• Lead and manage field teams, coordinating logistics, personnel, and the maintenance of field service equipment.
• Plan and coordinate field service and installation trips, ensuring the appropriate resources are available and in place for success.
• Serve as the main point of contact for field service teams, providing on-site supervision and troubleshooting during installations as needed.
• Ensure installations are completed efficiently and to customer satisfaction, maintaining open communication with stakeholders.

Manufacturing Engineering:

• Lead the engineering-to-manufacturing release process, ensuring smooth transitions through comprehensive reviews at each stage.
• Conduct regular design review meetings, ensuring that designs meet customer specifications, are optimized for manufacturability, and adhere to high-quality standards.
• Track KPIs for manufacturing and field operations, providing regular performance updates related to efficiency, quality, and delivery.
• Use root cause analysis to identify and resolve production issues, ensuring continuous improvement in production outcomes.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to refine the design release process, ensuring all releases meet rigorous standards before transitioning to production.
• Manage overall manufacturing engineering activities, providing expertise in process design and optimization to support production teams.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related field.
• 3-5 years of experience in lean management, field installation management, and manufacturing engineering.
• Proven experience in implementing continuous improvement initiatives and leading an organization through lean transformation using direct observation and hands-on management.
• Strong problem-solving skills with experience in root cause analysis, KPI tracking, and continuous improvement.
• Leadership experience in managing field installation teams and driving process improvements in a manufacturing setting.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to foster collaboration across departments.
• Willingness to travel up to 25% to oversee field installations and service work.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with capital equipment manufacturing and custom engineering.
• Familiarity with ERP systems and project management tools.
• Prior experience leading design review meetings and managing release processes.