Extrusion Manufacturing Engineer I/II — Real-Time Impact

Applied Medical; Rancho Santa Margarita (CA); On-site; USD 71,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay (CA)

Comprehensive benefits

Mentorship opportunities

Wellness activities

Education reimbursement

401(k) match

Generous vacation & holidays

Job summary

Applied Medical in California seeks a Manufacturing Engineer I/II - Extrusion to troubleshoot equipment, optimize extrusion processes, and collaborate with operators on the production floor. You will drive real-time improvements to uptime, quality, and scrap performance.

You will work hands-on on the shop floor, develop and maintain SOPs, validate processes, and partner with cross-functional teams to deliver stable, repeatable manufacturing solutions in a regulated medical device environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Plastics Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Materials Engineering, or related discipline. Candidates with direct manufacturing or extrusion experience are strongly preferred.
• Demonstrate strong problem‑solving and critical thinking skills, with the ability to break down complex issues and identify root causes.
• Comfort working in a hands‑on manufacturing environment and engaging directly on the production floor.
• Communicate clearly and effectively with both technical and non‑technical team members.
• Apply strong organizational skills to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment.
• Demonstrate attention to detail in both troubleshooting and documentation.
• Show willingness to learn and adapt to new processes, equipment, and technologies.
• Maintain a high level of accountability, ownership, and follow‑through.

Responsibilities

• Troubleshoot extrusion equipment, production lines, and secondary operations to resolve manufacturing issues and improve uptime.
• Optimize extrusion processes, equipment performance, and process stability to improve quality, throughput, and efficiency.
• Support tooling, machine setups, changeovers, equipment improvements, and capital projects.
• Investigate mechanical and process‑related causes of variation, downtime, and scrap using root cause analysis and data‑driven problem solving.
• Partner closely with Production, Maintenance, Quality, operators, and technicians to implement sustainable solutions.
• Support new and existing product introductions by developing stable, repeatable, and efficient manufacturing processes.
• Develop and maintain technical documentation, including SOPs, work instructions, process specifications, validation protocols, and troubleshooting reports.
• Execute process validation activities, including IQ/OQ/PQ protocols and reporting, as required.
• Utilize statistical tools and manufacturing data to identify trends and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with quality standards, regulatory requirements, and company policies.

Skills

Problem-solving

Hands-on

Communication

Organizational skills

Attention to detail

Accountability

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Minitab

GD&T

IQ/OQ/PQ documentation

Job description

Applied Medical in California seeks a Manufacturing Engineer I/II - Extrusion to troubleshoot equipment, optimize extrusion processes, and collaborate with operators on the production floor. You will drive real-time improvements to uptime, quality, and scrap performance.

You will work hands-on on the shop floor, develop and maintain SOPs, validate processes, and partner with cross-functional teams to deliver stable, repeatable manufacturing solutions in a regulated medical device environment.