Manufacturing Applications Engineer

Ludlow Manufacturing, Inc.; Waukegan (IL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Voluntary benefits

Job summary

Ludlow Manufacturing, Inc. in Illinois is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer to support sheet metal and fabricated product development in a fast-paced environment. You will work on NPI through first‑piece production, develop processes, and optimize tooling and fixtures.

You will use SolidWorks for drawings, offline CAM programs, and Global Shop ERP to manage routings and operations. Strong problem solving, GD&T, and teamwork are essential.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of Manufacturing Engineering experience.
• SolidWorks and sheet metal design experience.
• Ability to read drawings, tolerances and GD&T.
• Experience with CNC laser cutting and press brake forming.

Responsibilities

• Support NPI from engineering review through first-piece production and release.
• Create/modify parts, assemblies, drawings, fixtures and tooling using SolidWorks.
• Create and maintain offline CAM programs for CNC laser cutting and press brake forming.
• Develop press brake forming processes, bend sequencing and tooling.
• Select methods, tooling and equipment for new and existing parts.
• Troubleshoot CAD/CAM/laser, tooling and dimensional issues on the floor.
• Work with operators to improve part quality, setup efficiency and throughput.
• Review customer drawings and CAD models for manufacturability before release.
• Use Global Shop ERP to develop and maintain routings and operations.
• Design or modify fixtures, gauges and manufacturing aids as required.

Skills

SolidWorks

Sheet metal design

CNC laser cutting

Press brake forming

GD&T

Manufacturing troubleshooting

Communication

Teamwork

Education

Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering or Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Offline CAM software

Global Shop ERP

Job description

Join Our Team as a Manufacturing Engineer!

Are you a hands‑on problem solver with a passion for metal fabrication, process improvement, and advanced manufacturing technology? We're looking for a Manufacturing Engineer to support the development and production of sheet metal and fabricated products in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Job duties

• Support new product introduction from engineering review through first-piece production and process release.
• Create and modify internal parts, assemblies, drawings, fixtures, tooling, and manufacturing aids using SolidWorks CAD.
• Create and maintain offline CAM programs for CNC laser cutting and press brake forming equipment.
• Develop press brake forming processes, including bend sequence, tooling selection, setup, and forming strategy using offline programming software.
• Select appropriate manufacturing methods, tooling, and equipment for new and existing parts.
• Troubleshoot CAD, CAM, laser cutting, press brake forming, tooling, and dimensional issues on the production floor.
• Work with operators and production personnel to improve part quality, setup efficiency, repeatability, and throughput.
• Review customer drawings and supplied CAD models for manufacturability and identify design or process concerns before release to production.
• Use Global Shop ERP to develop and maintain production routings, manufacturing operations, and related process information.
• Design or modify fixtures, gauges, templates, and manufacturing aids as required.

What We're Looking For

• Minimum 2 years of Manufacturing Engineering experience
• Strong mechanical aptitude and troubleshooting skills
• Experience with SolidWorks and sheet metal design
• Knowledge of CNC laser cutting, press brake forming, and metal fabrication processes
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, tolerances, and GD&T
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills

Required

• Proficiency with SolidWorks, including 3D parts, assemblies, drawings, and sheet metal functions.
• Hands‑on experience with offline CAM/programming software for metal fabrication equipment.
• Press brake forming and offline programming experience, including bend sequencing, tooling selection, and setups.
• Working knowledge of CNC laser cutting and sheet metal fabrication processes.
• Ability to read and interpret customer engineering drawings, dimensions, tolerances, and GD&T.
• Experience developing and maintaining manufacturing routings and process information in an ERP system; Global Shop experience preferred.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and hands‑on manufacturing troubleshooting skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with automated press brake programming and bend simulation.
• Experience programming CNC laser cutting equipment.
• Experience with fabricated assemblies, welding, fixtures, and downstream manufacturing processes.
• Experience supporting new product introduction and first‑piece development.
• Associate or bachelor’s degree in manufacturing engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Technology, or equivalent practical experience.

This is a fully onsite position.

Benefits after 90 days include PTO, Medical, Dental, Vision, Life and voluntary benefits. Pay based on experience.