Lead Machining Manufacturing Engineer

FN America, LLC; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

FN America, LLC is seeking a Lead Machining Manufacturing Engineer to coordinate a team of engineers in alignment with business goals. The role focuses on design for manufacturability, process improvement, and cross-functional collaboration with engineering, manufacturing, and suppliers.

The ideal candidate will have 5+ years in engineering with precision machining, strong leadership, and experience applying lean and SPC methods to optimize cost and quality in a high-volume setting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical or manufacturing engineering is required.
• Five years of experience in an engineering position and experience in precision machining are required.
• Leadership and project management experience, as well as experience with Design for Manufacturing, cost reduction, and process improvement, are preferred.

Responsibilities

• Leads manufacturing engineering team activities to support deliverables.
• Sets objectives and drives team performance.
• Conducts Design for Manufacturing analysis.
• Able to conduct 90% of all ME I, II, and III tasks.
• Reviews the work of the team and identifies waste reduction or process improvements.
• Interfaces with product engineering and management to align deliverables with design and customer requirements.
• Serves as a SME Manufacturing Engineer in cross-functional environment to optimize cost and manufacturability.
• Supports new product development and continuous improvement by guiding manufacturing processes.
• Documents technical data per engineering policies and procedures.
• Leads collaboration with development partners on tooling and process equipment strategies.
• Organizes cross-functional meetings to ensure operational readiness.
• Leads and coaches team through problem solving and training.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Project planning

Team collaboration

Blueprint reading

Geometric tolerancing

Tolerance analysis

Communication

Capital budgeting

Machining fundamentals

Data processing

CNC & automation

Statistical process control

Lean manufacturing

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical or manufacturing engineering

Master's degree in engineering or business preferred

Tools

Mastercam

Espree

Microsoft Office

Job description

Description

FN America, LLC is a U.S. subsidiary of FN Herstal, S.A., a global leader in the development and manufacturing of high-quality, reliable firearms for military, law enforcement and commercial customers worldwide. Headquartered in Columbia, South Carolina, FN America is passionately committed to providing its customers with a portfolio of FN-branded products, training and support services that enhance user performance and safeguard their lives. For more information, visit us at or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Position Summary

The Lead Machining Manufacturing Engineer coordinates the activities of a team of manufacturing engineers to ensure proper alignment with business goals and requirements.

Job Duties

• Leads manufacturing engineering team activities to support deliverables.
• Sets objectives and drives team performance.
• Conducts Design for Manufacturing Analysis.
• Able to conduct 90% of all ME I, II, and III tasks.
• Reviews the work of the team and approaches methodologies to identify waste reduction and/or process improvement opportunities.
• Interfaces with product engineering and product management to ensure team deliverables and work scope are aligned with design and customer expectations as well as manufacturing processing requirements.
• Serve as a Subject Matter Expert Manufacturing Engineer in a highly cross-functional environment with engineering, manufacturing, sourcing, product management and suppliers to optimize cost competitiveness and manufacturability.
• Supports new product development and continuous improvement projects by providing guidance on manufacturing processes to determine appropriate use of technology as well as capability.
• Documents technical data generated by the assigned projects consistent with engineering policies and procedures.
• Leads interaction with our development partners to establish appropriate tooling and process equipment strategies.
• Organizes and coordinates meetings with cross functional teams to ensure operational readiness.
• Leads and coaches team through problem solving efforts.
• Supports development of existing team members and trains new team members.
• Other duties as assigned.

Educational Requirements

A bachelor’s degree in mechanical or manufacturing engineering is required. A master’s degree in engineering or a business discipline is preferred.

Experience Requirements

Five years of experience in an engineering position and experience in precision machining are required. Leadership and project management experience, as well as experience with Design for Manufacturing, cost reduction, and process improvement, are preferred.

Skills and Competencies

All FN America employees are expected to demonstrate accountability, collaboration, communication, customer focus, and innovation. Additional requirements of this position include:

• Ability to plan work and use meaningful metrics to evaluate project status and provide performance visibility
• Ability to foster collaboration and team building
• Ability to read and understand blue prints
• Knowledge of geometric tolerancing
• Ability to conduct basic tolerance analysis
• Able to communicate effectively and work within a team environment
• Knowledge of capital appropriation evaluation and analysis
• Knowledge of mechanical principles, machining practices, the properties of metals, and the application of mathematics and dimensions to create part processes.
• Working knowledge of computer systems and data processing.
• Familiarity with computer-controlled machine tools as well as conventional machine tools with exposure to high volume automated production equipment
• Knowledge of statistical process control
• Ability to evaluate processes to incorporate Lean tools and methodologies with reinforcement within the team

Tools

Mastercam, Espree, Microsoft Office

Licenses/Certifications

Lean Green Belt or Black Belt preferred

Working Conditions

Typical office environment with some travel between buildings and to other locations required. May be exposed to loud noises, toxic chemicals, and dangerous machinery when on the plant floor. Must be able to frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

All FN America employees have a responsibility to participate in the development of a safe and healthy workplace and to comply with instructions given for their own safety and health and that of others.