Industrial Engineer 3

PDS Defense, Inc.; Culpeper (VA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) plan

Direct deposit

Career counseling

DailyPay

Competitive benefits

Job summary

PDS Defense, Inc. in Culpeper, VA is seeking an Industrial Engineer 3 to optimize manufacturing systems, improve efficiency, and lead NPI activities in a DoD-oriented environment.

The role emphasizes process planning, time studies, workflow design, and integration of automation tools, with collaboration across manufacturing, quality, and program management.

Candidates should have a BS in IE and 5+ years in manufacturing engineering, plus knowledge of lean, line balancing, and ERP/MES systems.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum 5 years of industrial engineering experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience with new process introduction methodologies and tools.
• Working knowledge of automation tools and technologies in manufacturing.
• Proficiency in time studies, value stream mapping, line balancing, and capacity planning.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; data-driven improvements.

Responsibilities

• Analyze and optimize manufacturing processes, workflows, and systems for efficiency, quality and cost.
• Design optimized layouts, work cells, and material flow strategies.
• Lead processes introduction activities including planning and time studies.
• Identify and integrate automation tools to enhance operations.
• Develop standard work documentation and capacity analyses.
• Apply IE techniques like value stream mapping and line balancing to improve performance.
• Collaborate with manufacturing, quality, program management, and supply chain.
• Develop and track KPIs to measure process performance and improvements.
• Support facility planning, equipment layout, and capital justification.
• Conduct make/buy analyses and labor standards development.
• Mentor junior engineers and provide technical guidance.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Process optimization

Cross-functional collaboration

Strong problem-solving

Education

Bachelors in Industrial/Manufacturing Engineering

Tools

ERP/MES systems

FlexSim

AutoCAD/Creo

Job description

Engineering

Industrial Engineer 3 Culpepeer, VA Posted: 8/5/2026

Job Description

PDS Defense, Inc. is seeking an Industrial Engineer 3, in Culpeper, VA. Job ID#224545

Job Description:

We are seeking a skilled and motivated Industrial Engineer to join our team. This role focuses on optimizing manufacturing systems, processes, and workflows to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and support the integration of new technologies and automation. The ideal candidate brings substantial industrial engineering experience, preferably within a Department of Defense (DoD) or automotive manufacturing environment, and has a strong working knowledge of new process introduction methodologies and automation tools.

Responsibilities

• Analyze and evaluate existing manufacturing processes, workflows, and systems to identify opportunities for improvement in efficiency, quality, and cost
• Design and implement optimized production layouts, work cells, and material flow strategies
• Lead and support new process introduction (NPI) activities, including process planning, documentation, time studies, and production readiness assessments
• Identify, evaluate, and integrate automation tools and technologies to enhance manufacturing operations
• Develop and maintain standard work documentation, including SOPs, work instructions, time and motion studies, and capacity analyses
• Apply industrial engineering techniques such as value stream mapping, line balancing, ergonomic analysis, and simulation modeling to drive operational improvements
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including manufacturing, quality, program management, and supply chain to support production goals and schedules
• Develop and track key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure process performance and improvement outcomes
• Support facility planning, equipment layout, and capital project justification activities
• Conduct make/buy analyses, capacity planning, and resource utilization studies
• Assist in the development of labor standards and production rate estimates to support program planning and cost proposals
• Mentor junior engineers and provide technical guidance to production personnel

Basic Hiring Criteria

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a closely related engineering discipline
• Minimum 5 years of experience in an Industrial Engineering role within a manufacturing environment
• Demonstrated experience with new process introduction methodologies and tools
• Working knowledge of automation tools and technologies and their application in a manufacturing setting
• Proficiency in industrial engineering techniques including time studies, value stream mapping, line balancing, and capacity planning
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to translate data into actionable improvements

Desired Qualifications

• 10 or more years of industrial engineering experience
• Experience working within a DoD defense contractor or automotive manufacturing environment
• Experience with process equipment relating to propellant manufacture or food processing such as vertical mixers, fluid energy mills, etc
• Familiarity with DoD 4145, manufacturing readiness levels (MRLs), and related program requirements
• Experience with automotive industry standards and frameworks such as APQP, PPAP, or PFMEA
• Proficiency with simulation and modeling software (e.g., FlexSim or similar)
• Experience with ERP/MES systems and manufacturing data analysis tools
• Lean Manufacturing and/or Six Sigma certification (Green Belt or Black Belt preferred)
• Familiarity with AutoCAD, Creo, or other facility layout and design tools
• Active DoD Security Clearance or ability to obtain one

Benefits offered to vary by the contract. Depending on your temporary assignment, benefits may include direct deposit, free career counseling services, 401(k), select paid holidays, short-term disability insurance, skills training, employee referral bonus, affordable medical coverage plan, and DailyPay (in some locations). For a full description of benefits available to you, be sure to talk with your recruiter.

Job Requirements

Minimum Security Clearance:

Secret

Military connected talent encouraged to apply.

VEVRAA Federal Contractor / Request Priority Protected Veteran Referrals / Equal Opportunity Employer / Veterans / Disabled

To read our Candidate Privacy Information Statement, which explains how we will use your information, please visit http://www.tadpgs.com/candidate-privacy/ or https://pdsdefense.com/candidate-privacy/

The Company will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with federal, state, and local laws and/or security clearance requirements, including, as applicable:

• The California Fair Chance Act
• Los Angeles City Fair Chance Ordinance
• Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers
• San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

VEVRAA Federal Contractor / Request Priority Protected Veteran Referrals / Equal Opportunity Employer / Veterans / Disabled