Engineer I, Manufacturing

Oatey Company; Shakopee (MN); On-site; USD 67,078 - 103,971; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off programs

401(k) matching

Market leading health insurance

Paid parental leave

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Oatey Company is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer to provide daily production support and lead engineering projects aimed at improving manufacturing efficiency. This position blends daily operational support with project-based work, focusing on enhancing safety, quality, and productivity across the production process.

The ideal candidate should have a Bachelor's degree in Engineering, solid experience with 3D CAD software like SolidWorks, and strong troubleshooting skills. The role requires a proactive approach to problem-solving and collaboration with various teams.

Competitive compensation ranging from $67,078.00 to $103,971.00 USD based on experience. Join us in making a significant impact!

Qualifications

• 0–5 years of manufacturing engineering or technical experience.
• Strong ability to design and modify tooling and fixtures.
• Experience with Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement methods.

Responsibilities

• Diagnose and resolve safety, quality, and productivity issues.
• Lead engineering projects to improve manufacturing processes.
• Create and maintain technical documentation and procedures.

Skills

Manufacturing engineering experience

3D CAD software knowledge

Troubleshooting skills

Lean manufacturing principles

Project management skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in an Engineering discipline

Tools

SolidWorks

GibbsCAM

Job description

2300 Vierling Drive West, Shakopee, Minnesota 55379 United States of America

Why Oatey?

Since 1916, Oatey has provided reliable, high-quality products for the residential and commercial plumbing industries, with a commitment to delivering quality, building trust and improving lives. Today, Oatey operates a comprehensive manufacturing and distribution network comprised of industry leading family of companies: Oatey, Cherne, Keeney, Quick Drain, Hercules, Dearborn, Oatey Canada, William H. Harvey, Masters, Contact, Belanger, Lansas, and Durgo.

At Oatey, we're doing big things — and by joining us, you'll have the chance to do big things too. You can build a strong career in an innovative, inclusive, high-performance environment, with the confidence that your company cares — about you, our customers and our world. Ready to make an impact in a place where you matter?

Position Summary

This position supports safe, efficient, and reliable production by improving and developing machines, tools, equipment, and manufacturing processes. The role provides a combination of daily production line support and project-based engineering work, including troubleshooting safety, quality, and productivity issues and implementing longer-term process and equipment improvements. This position works closely with Manufacturing Engineering leadership, Production, Maintenance, Safety, Quality, operators, and external vendors to ensure operational goals are consistently met.

Position Responsibilities

• Provide daily production and equipment support by diagnosing safety, quality, and productivity issues and coordinating with Maintenance and Production teams to resolve equipment or process concerns.
• Lead or support engineering projects to improve manufacturing machines, tools, equipment, and processes while ensuring solutions meet safety, quality, productivity, and reliability requirements.
• Develop, modify, and improve tooling, fixtures, machine components, and equipment as needed to support production and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Create and maintain technical documentation, including safe operating procedures, standard work, target production rates, technical drawings, and process documentation.
• Read and interpret blueprints, technical drawings, schematics, equipment manuals, and production data to support troubleshooting, equipment improvements, and process development.
• Investigate equipment failures and performance issues to identify root causes and recommend or implement corrective actions in partnership with Maintenance, Production, Safety, and Quality.
• Apply lean manufacturing and continuous improvement principles to improve safety, quality, productivity, reliability, and standardization across manufacturing operations.
• Estimate project costs, obtain quotes, evaluate vendor proposals, and present recommendations for equipment, tooling, process, and facilities-related projects.
• Prepare and maintain project documentation, including RFQs, quote comparisons, purchase request authorization documentation, project timelines, vendor information, and other required project records.
• Coordinate project execution with Maintenance, Production, Safety, Quality, and external vendors to ensure projects are implemented safely, effectively, and with minimal disruption to production.
• Support equipment installation, startup, troubleshooting, and validation activities for new or modified equipment and processes.
• Use 3D CAD and related software to design, modify, document, and support tooling, fixtures, parts, and manufacturing equipment improvements.
• Partner with production operators and supervisors to gather feedback, validate process changes, improve standard work, and ensure engineering solutions are practical and effective.
• Support multiple production lines and departments through cross-functional collaboration and prioritization of competing production and project needs.
• Provide occasional on-call or off-shift support for urgent equipment, process, or production issues.
• Maintain a working environment that supports safety, teamwork, communication, continuous improvement, and positive morale.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

• 0–5 years of manufacturing engineering, technical, or related manufacturing experience.
• Intermediate knowledge of 3D CAD software, preferably SolidWorks.
• Ability to design, modify, and support tooling, fixtures, parts, and equipment improvements.
• Advanced troubleshooting skills, including the ability to diagnose equipment issues, identify root causes, and develop practical corrective actions.
• Working knowledge of manufacturing equipment systems, including pneumatics, hydraulics, PLC-based systems, sensors, switches, and basic automated machine elements.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints, technical drawings, schematics, equipment manuals, and process documentation.
• Familiarity with lean manufacturing and continuous improvement methods.
• Familiarity with FMEA or other structured problem-solving and risk-assessment tools preferred.
• Experience supporting RFQs, quote comparisons, vendor coordination, cost estimates, and purchase request documentation.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with operators, technicians, supervisors, engineers, vendors, and leadership.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including listening, collaboration, coaching, and conflict resolution.
• Working knowledge of applicable safety standards and requirements, including machine guarding, hazard communication, personal protective equipment, and safe work practices.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a production environment and respond effectively to changing business needs.
• Experience with 3D printing, 3D printer slicing software, GibbsCAM, or similar manufacturing support software preferred.
• Working knowledge of PLC programming preferred.

Software, Technology, and Equipment

• Microsoft Office applications.
• SolidWorks or similar 3D CAD software.
• 3D printer slicing software.
• GibbsCAM or similar CAM software preferred.
• Manufacturing equipment, tooling, fixtures, and production support systems.
• Basic automated equipment components, including pneumatics, hydraulics, sensors, switches, and PLC-controlled systems.

Education and Certification

Bachelor’s degree in an Engineering discipline is preferred. Equivalent hands‑on engineering, technical, or manufacturing experience may be considered in lieu of formal engineering education.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

This position requires daily on‑site work in a manufacturing environment. The role involves a combination of office, shop floor, and production line work, including frequent sitting, standing, walking, reading, communication, and computer use. The position may require occasional bending, reaching, squatting, twisting, and lifting of materials or components up to 60 pounds. Use of required personal protective equipment, such as safety glasses, hearing protection, and protective footwear, is required when working on the production floor.

Travel And Schedule Requirements

Occasional travel, approximately 1–10%, may be required for training, vendor visits, or project‑related activities. Occasional on‑call or off‑shift support may be required to assist Maintenance and Production teams with urgent equipment or process issues.

Compensation Range for the Position

$67,078.00 – $85,524.50 – $103,971.00 USD. Offer amount determined by experience and review of internal talent.

Oatey Total Rewards

• Generous paid time off programs and paid company holidays to support flexibility and work‑life balance
• Annual Discretionary Cash Profit Sharing
• Immediate eligibility and vesting in 401(k), including 100% company match, up to 5% of eligible compensation
• Market leading health insurance including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance offerings for associates and qualified dependents
• Significant company contribution to Health Savings Account with a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP)
• Short‑Term and Long‑Term Disability income protection coverage at no cost to associates
• Paid Maternity and Paid Parental Leave
• Tuition reimbursement
• A strong set of complementary resources to support associate well‑being, including resource groups, EAP, and dedicated mental health support.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Oatey family of companies are an equal opportunity employer committed to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. We recruit, employ, promote, and offer competitive pay for all jobs without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by law.