Fabrication Engineer

MEC (Mayville Engineering Company, Inc.); Wheeling (IL); On-site; USD 68,000 - 96,000; Full time

Job summary

MEC (Mayville Engineering Company, Inc.) in Wheeling, IL, is seeking an experienced manufacturing process engineer to design, implement, and improve methods for laser cutting, turret punching, and press brakes. You will analyze data and drive improvements to safety, quality, delivery, and cost through hands-on process design.

Strong CNC programming skills for laser and turret punches, along with CAD/CAM proficiency, are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field or equivalent experience.
• Strong background in fabricating and manufacturing processes.
• Experience programming laser cutting, turret punches, and CNC press brakes.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and optimize manufacturing processes to improve SQDC performance.
• Program and optimize laser cutting machines, turret punches, and press brakes for efficient production.
• Analyze production data to identify bottlenecks and reduce downtime.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives using Lean tools (5S, Kaizen, SMED).
• Create and maintain work instructions and SOPs.
• Coordinate installation, startup, and integration of new equipment and automation.
• Troubleshoot production issues with operators, maintenance, and engineering teams.
• Provide input and cost justification for capital equipment purchases.
• Collaborate with suppliers and customers to resolve manufacturability issues.
• Drive root cause analysis and implement sustainable solutions.
• Support production scheduling and ERP/MES systems for workflow planning.
• Track KPIs like OEE, scrap, cycle time, and uptime.

Skills

Fabrication processes

Laser/CNC programming

Nesting software

CAD/CAM tools

Lean manufacturing

Data analysis

Project management

Communication

Education

Bachelors in Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

AutoCAD

Job description

Responsible for developing, implementing, and improving manufacturing processes to increase throughput, ensure quality, and reduce cost through data-driven analysis and hands‑on process design. This role plays a key part in creating efficient production methods and maximizing the performance of laser cutting, turret punching, and press brake operations while supporting safe, scalable, and reliable manufacturing.

Strong experience in programming CNC turret punch and a CNC laser is desired for success in this role.

Located in Wheeling, IL.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and optimize manufacturing processes to improve safety, quality, delivery, and cost (SQDC) performance
• Program and optimize laser cutting machines, turret punches, and press brakes to ensure efficient production, material utilization, and cycle time reduction
• Analyze production data to identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies; implement corrective actions to improve throughput and reduce downtime
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives using Lean manufacturing principles (5S, Kaizen, SMED, standard work)
• Create and maintain work instructions, process documentation, and standard operating procedures
• Coordinate installation, startup, and integration of new equipment, tooling, and automation systems
• Troubleshoot production and equipment issues in collaboration with operators, maintenance, and engineering teams
• Provide technical input and cost justification for capital equipment purchases and process upgrades
• Collaborate with suppliers and customers to define manufacturability and resolve technical issues
• Drive root cause analysis (RCA) for quality and production issues and implement sustainable solutions
• Support production scheduling and ERP/MES systems to improve workflow and resource planning
• Track and report key performance metrics such as OEE, scrap, cycle time, and uptime

Skills & Qualifications

• Strong understanding of fabrication and manufacturing processes
• Hands‑on experience programming laser cutting systems (e.g., fiber lasers), turret punches, and CNC press brakes
• Experience with nesting software and optimizing material utilization
• Working knowledge of CAD/CAM software (e.g., SolidWorks, AutoCAD, or similar)
• Experience with Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement tools
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with ability to use production data to drive decisions
• Ability to manage projects and coordinate cross‑functional teams
• Effective communication skills with both shop floor and leadership teams

Educational Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field (or equivalent experience)

Experience

• 3+ years of experience in a manufacturing environment
• Experience in metal fabrication or sheet metal production strongly preferred
• Demonstrated experience with CNC programming and process optimization in a production setting

The salary range for this position is $68,000 to $96,000. Actual compensation will be determined based on experience, qualifications, and skillset. This position requires a full-time, onsite presence at our Wheeling, IL location.

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