Industrial Engineer I

Insteel Industries, Inc; North Carolina; On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive base pay

Bonus eligibility

Paid time off

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

401(k) with match

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Insteel Industries, Inc. seeks an Industrial Engineer to identify and execute cost-reduction projects across its North Carolina facilities. You will analyze manufacturing data, develop improved work methods, and support capital projects and equipment initiatives.

The role emphasizes cross-functional teamwork, problem-solving, and adherence to standard procedures while implementing new technology to enhance safety and productivity.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering or Mechanical Engineering strongly preferred.
• Internship experience considered a plus for early career.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical abilities; ability to communicate clearly.

Responsibilities

• Identify, develop, justify, implement, and follow-up on projects to improve safety, quality, productivity, and reduce costs across facilities.
• Gather and analyze manufacturing data to evaluate and improve processes.
• Interpret and direct work methods; address complaints and ensure standard procedures are current.
• Assist in writing Capital Appropriations for projects and capital improvement initiatives.
• Investigate, test, and implement new technology in plant operations; target payback.

Skills

Communication skills

Problem solving

Cross-functional teamwork

Time management

Analytical thinking

Confidentiality and integrity

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Industrial or Mechanical Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

MS Word

Excel

Outlook

Maximo

Data warehouse systems

Job description

Position Snapshot

Identifies, develops, justifies, implements, and follows-up on projects to reduce operating costs by improving work methods, manufacturing processes, and pay systems for all facilities in the Concrete Reinforcing Products Business Unit.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• An individual must be able to perform each duty satisfactorily
• Identifies, develops, justifies, implements, and follows-up on projects designed to improve
• safety, quality, productivity, and reduce the overall operating cost for all facilities
• Gathers and analyzes manufacturing data to evaluate and improve current manufacturing processes.
• Interprets, develops, plans, assigns, checks and directs work methods. Addresses work method
• complaints and resolves problems. This includes ensuring all standard work procedures, documents
• and visuals are up to date at each facility
• Maintains costing data used by sales group and Master Scheduler on a quarterly basis
• Establishes standards for machine performance and quality
• Provides ideas to Engineering Group involving mechanical machine improvements
• Assists General Managers in writing Capital Appropriations for projects/equipment
• Assists in the management of capital improvement projects; focusing on accuracy and delivery of
• projected payback
• Investigates, tests, and implements new technology into plant operations
• Uses Activity Based Costing (ABC), financial, and P & L data to target improvement
• opportunities
• Finds ways to lower setup and process related costs of operation methods
• Performs special projects/analysis as required with emphasis on process improvement
• Other duties may be assigned

Supervisory Responsibilities

None.

Professional Qualifications

• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent problem-solving and critical thinking abilities to analyze complex issues and develop
• effective solutions
• Proven ability to manage time effectively, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines in a
• fast-paced
• environment
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively within cross-functional teams and across
• organizational levels
• Demonstrated initiative and resourcefulness in researching, troubleshooting, and resolving
• challenges
• Strong problem-solving and critical thinking skills
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with integrity
• Comfortable working both independently and collaboratively within a team

Education And Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering or Mechanical Engineering strongly
• preferred
• Broad knowledge of general technical field such as industrial engineering or process
• engineering
• Entry level to three years work-related experience. Internship experience strongly
• preferred

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to Enable Individuals With Disabilities To Perform The Essential Functions. The role of an Industrial Engineer involves a variety of physical activities necessary to perform essential job functions effectively. Continuous communication is required, with the ability to talk and hear clearly, either naturally or with correction. The position frequently involves standing, sitting, walking or moving throughout the facility, and performing repetitive movements during analysis and process evaluation tasks. Occasionally, the role may require bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, stretching, reaching overhead, climbing or balancing, rotating the body from sitting or standing positions, and using hands to grasp or manipulate tools, objects, or equipment. Lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling objects up to 40 pounds may also be necessary on occasion. Visual demands include constant observation, near and far acuity, color distinction, depth perception, peripheral vision, adaptation to varying lighting conditions, and frequent changes in visual focus. Additionally, the role may involve occasional use of mechanical controls such as buttons, knobs, levers, cranks, and pedals, requiring hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity.

Work Environment

The work environmental characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The work environment for this position is typically in an industrial manufacturing plant, with employees regularly exposed to physical and environmental challenges. Workers are continuously (70–100% of the time) around moving and potentially dangerous machinery and are subject to loud noise levels that require hearing protection. Frequently (30–70% of the time), they may encounter heat from both weather and industrial processes, as well as cold weather conditions. Occasionally (up to 30% of the time), the environment may include wet or humid conditions, slippery floors or ramps, vibration from equipment, exposure to outside weather, dust, electrical shock hazards, and contact with oil, grease, or solvents. Proper personal protective equipment (PPE) and adherence to safety protocols are essential in maintaining a safe and productive workspace in this industrial setting.

Equipment Used

The Industrial Engineer regularly utilizes a computer and a variety of software tools essential to daily tasks, including AutoCAD, MS Word, Excel, Outlook, Maximo, and data warehouse systems. These tools are used continuously to support design work, data analysis, reporting, and communication. Frequently, the role also involves the use of a calculator and standard office equipment such as telephones, printers, copiers, and fax machines. Occasionally, the engineer may work with hand tools and operate vehicles or heavy equipment such as forklifts, scissor lifts, and JLG lifts. Additional tasks may require interaction with manufacturing machinery and the use of testing devices such as air monitors, light meters, pH testers, and multimeters. Measuring instruments including micrometers, calipers, tape measures, airflow meters, and tachometers are also occasionally used to support precision and quality in engineering assessments.

For your hard work, you receive

• Competitive base pay with bonus eligibility based on company performance
• Opportunity for professional growth
• Paid time off including holidays and vacation
• Excellent benefits to include medical, dental, vision, company paid life/short-term
• disability/long-term disability insurance, flexible spending accounts (FSA), health savings account
• (HSA), 401(k) with match, company paid tele-health, stock purchase plan, tuition reimbursement
• assistance, and Employee Assistance Plan (EAP)

These duties may be modified or changed at any time at the sole discretion of management either orally or in writing. The above statements are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of this position. All employees may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.

INSTEEL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex including sexual orientation and gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

If you are qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you have the right to request an accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our career center as a result of your disability. To request accommodation, contact a Human Resources Representative.

Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to consider applicants residing in locations outside the US requiring Visa sponsorship at this time.

About the Company

Insteel Industries is the nation’s largest manufacturer of steel wire reinforcing products for concrete construction, including prestressed concrete strand and welded wire reinforcement such as engineered structural mesh and concrete pipe reinforcement. Founded in 1953 and headquartered in Mount Airy, NC, Insteel operates 11 manufacturing plants across the U.S. and has a dedicated engineering services division. As a publicly traded company, our goal is to be the supplier of choice by delivering superior value to our customers. Learn more at insteel.com/careers.