Engineering Leader

Wayne Wire Cloth Products, Inc.; Kalkaska (MI); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401K plan with company match

Profit-sharing plan

Tuition reimbursement

Paid holidays

Paid vacation

Job summary

Wayne Wire Cloth Products, Inc. in Kalkaska, MI is seeking an Engineering Leader to drive manufacturing process design and optimization while providing technical expertise for pricing based on customer designs.

You will lead process improvements, mentor engineers, and collaborate with cross‑functional teams to meet customer requirements and improve efficiency. The role emphasizes implementing new technologies, supporting quoting activities, and pursuing new opportunities within Wayne Wire’s

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or equivalent; or four to ten years of related experience and/or training.
• Advanced knowledge of CAD software to support manufacturing process design and quoting.
• Experience with wire mesh fabrication and manufacturing operations including stamping and heat treating.
• Experience in aerospace quality requirements (AS9100) and NADCAP is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provides guidance and mentorship to junior engineering team, using lead‑by‑example/hands‑on approach.
• Designs and optimizes manufacturing processes to produce customer‑designed products efficiently and effectively.
• Collects and analyzes data to identify, prioritize, and implement process improvements across all three manufacturing sites.
• Provides technical expertise for cost estimation and quoting for customer‑designed products.
• Collaborates with production teams to evaluate customer‑designed parts for labor reduction and operator efficiency.
• Maintains and updates files, prints, and documentation for customer products.
• Supports the implementation of new technologies to improve operations, quoting, and customer interaction.
• Contributes to cross‑functional teams to resolve customer issues and ensure compliance with customer requirements.
• Recommends and supports capital equipment expenditures to enhance production operations.

Skills

CAD design software

Wire mesh manufacturing

Lean Manufacturing

Kaizen

ERP & MRP

Coaching and mentoring

AS9100

NADCAP

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Tools

ERP

MRP systems

Job description

Wayne Wire is currently seeking an Engineering Leader for our Northwest Michigan headquarters!

The Engineering Leader position at Wayne Wire is a critical technical role within our engineering team. This position focuses on designing and optimizing manufacturing processes and providing technical expertise for quoting based on customer designs, while collaborating closely with cross‑functional teams to exceed customer expectations and drive operational efficiency.

Overview

Wayne Wire Cloth Products, Inc., an industry leader in the manufacture of custom filtration products for the aerospace, automotive, and commercial industries, seeks a skilled Engineering Leader to spearhead technical activities within the engineering department. The Engineering Leader will primarily support the Kalkaska site and focus on designing and improving manufacturing processes, providing technical expertise for pricing and quoting based on customer‑provided designs.

The ideal candidate will have in‑depth knowledge of production processes, customer requirements, and advanced manufacturing techniques. They will drive process improvements, reduce labor costs, and enhance operator efficiency while contributing to the pursuit of new filter business opportunities within our capabilities.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Provides guidance and mentorship to junior engineering team, using lead‑by‑example/hands‑on approach.
• Designs and optimizes manufacturing processes to produce customer‑designed products efficiently and effectively.
• Collects and analyzes data to identify, prioritize, and implement process improvements across all three manufacturing sites.
• Provides technical expertise for cost estimation and quoting for customer‑designed products.
• Collaborates with production teams to evaluate customer‑designed parts for labor reduction and operator efficiency.
• Maintains and updates files, prints, and documentation for customer products.
• Supports the implementation of new technologies to improve operations, quoting, and customer interaction.
• Contributes to cross‑functional teams to resolve customer issues and ensure compliance with customer requirements.
• Recommends and supports capital equipment expenditures to enhance production operations.
• Maintains a working knowledge of applicable safety policies, regulations, and procedures to ensure safe execution of duties.
• Meets with customers as needed to support quoting, process development for customer designs, and issue resolution.
• Collaborates with sales (internal and external) to win new business
• Other duties as assigned.

Travel

Occasional travel from our corporate offices (Kalkaska) to other manufacturing sites and customer locations will be required to support Wayne Wire’s goals and objectives.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or equivalent; or four to ten years of related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Competencies

• Advanced proficiency in CAD design software to support manufacturing process design and quoting.
• Strong knowledge of wire mesh or metal fabrication/manufacturing operations, including stamping, resistance welding, soldering, silver brazing, and heat treating.
• Experience in the aerospace industry with AS9100 and NADCAP.
• Ability to analyze and optimize operations and procedures to develop efficient manufacturing processes.
• Effective communication skills, both oral and written.
• Ability to lead and collaborate with cross‑functional teams.
• Strong project management skills to handle multiple projects simultaneously.
• Commitment to continuous improvement and employee development.

Located just east of Traverse City, Michigan, the area provides individuals and families with an outstanding quality of life and limitless recreational opportunities. Wayne Wire Cloth Products, Inc. offers an excellent benefit package, including health insurance, prescription drug coverage, dental, vision, short- and long‑term disability, flexible spending plan, paid holidays, paid vacation, tuition reimbursement, a 401K plan with company match, a discretionary bonus, and a profit‑sharing plan

You Should Be Proficient In

• Kaizen
• Lean Manufacturing Principles
• Coaching and Mentoring Experience
• National Aerospace and Defense Contractors Accreditation Program (NADCAP)
• ERP & MRP Systems
• AS9100 Experience