Manufacturing Engineer

Socket.dev; Denville (NJ); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Socket.dev is seeking a Junior Manufacturing Engineer to join our engineering and production team in New Jersey. This role offers hands-on manufacturing experience while working closely with an experienced Engineering Manager.

You will gain exposure to CAD/CAM, CNC machining, tooling and fixture design, process improvement, and production troubleshooting, with opportunities to contribute to drawings, CNC programs, documentation, and continuous-improvement projects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant engineering field.
• 0–3 years of manufacturing or engineering experience.
• Basic experience with 2D/3D CAD platforms (SolidWorks, Inventor, AutoCAD, Creo).
• Ability to read mechanical drawings and tolerances; GD&T is a plus.
• Willingness to learn and work on the manufacturing floor.

Responsibilities

• Assist with the development and improvement of manufacturing processes for mechanical and electro-mechanical products.
• Create and modify 2D drawings and 3D CAD models, including tooling, fixtures, jigs, gauges, and manufacturing aids.
• Troubleshoot manufacturing issues with engineers, machinists, and technicians.
• Support CNC machining and CAM programming, including prototype parts and tooling.
• Review drawings, specifications, BOMs, and manufacturing requirements.
• Assist with prototype builds, first articles, and engineering changes.
• Develop and update work instructions and production documentation.
• Support root-cause investigations and corrective actions.
• Gaining experience with GD&T, tolerances, tooling, workholding, machining practices, and inspection.
• Assist with manufacturing estimates (material, labor, machine time, tooling, outside processing).
• Participate in continuous-improvement projects focused on quality, efficiency, manufacturability, and cost reduction.

Skills

CAD/CAM knowledge

GD&T familiarity

Mechanical aptitude

Communication skills

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Technology

Tools

SolidWorks

Inventor

AutoCAD

Creo

Job description

Junior Manufacturing Engineer

We are seeking a Junior Manufacturing Engineer to join our engineering and production team. This is an excellent opportunity for an early-career engineer who wants to gain significant hands-on manufacturing experience while working closely with an experienced Engineering Manager.

The position offers exposure to CAD/CAM, CNC machining, tooling and fixture design, electro-mechanical assemblies, process improvement, manufacturing documentation, and production troubleshooting.

What You’ll Do

• Assist with the development and improvement of manufacturing processes for mechanical and electro-mechanical products.
• Create and modify 2D drawings and 3D CAD models, including tooling, fixtures, jigs, gauges, and manufacturing aids.
• Work directly with experienced engineers, machinists, technicians, and production personnel to troubleshoot manufacturing issues.
• Support CNC machining and CAM programming, including prototype parts, production components, and tooling.
• Review engineering drawings, specifications, BOMs, and manufacturing requirements.
• Assist with prototype builds, first articles, engineering changes, and the transition of new products into production.
• Develop and update work instructions, manufacturing procedures, routers/travelers, and other production documentation.
• Support root-cause investigations and corrective actions involving quality and manufacturing issues.
• Gain experience with GD&T, tolerances, tooling, workholding, machining practices, and dimensional inspection.
• Assist senior engineering personnel with manufacturing estimates, including material, labor, machine time, tooling, and outside processing.
• Participate in continuous‑improvement projects focused on quality, efficiency, manufacturability, and cost reduction.

What We’re Looking For

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Manufacturing Engineering Technology, or a related discipline. Recent graduates are encouraged to apply.
• 0–3 years of manufacturing or engineering experience; internships, co‑ops, machine‑shop, laboratory, or hands‑on project experience will be considered.
• Basic experience with a 2D/3D CAD platform such as SolidWorks, Inventor, AutoCAD, or Creo.
• Exposure to CNC machining, CAM programming, machine‑shop practices, tooling, or fixture design is highly desirable but does not need to be expert‑level.
• Ability to read mechanical drawings and an understanding of basic tolerances; exposure to GD&T is a plus.
• Strong mechanical aptitude with an interest in spending time on the manufacturing floor rather than working exclusively at a desk.
• Strong problem‑solving, communication, and organizational skills.
• Willingness to learn manufacturing estimating, process documentation, tooling design, and production troubleshooting.
• U.S. work authorization consistent with the requirements of the products/programs supported by the position.