Manufacturing Engineer

LITTLE TREES; DeWitt (IA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401K with match

Medical insurance

Dental/Vision insurance

Dependent Care Reimbursement

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

On-site Café & Fitness Center

Free family fitness memberships

Job summary

Little Trees is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer to improve processes and equipment performance on-site in DeWitt, IA. This hands-on role focuses on efficiency, safety, quality, and continuous improvement.

You will lead cross-functional projects, develop tooling with SolidWorks, and mentor teams to implement scalable changes from concept to completion.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in manufacturing, Mechanical, Industrial, or a related engineering discipline.
• 3+ years of experience in manufacturing with proven process-improvement results.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, root cause analysis, and pneumatics.
• Proficiency with SolidWorks or equivalent CAD for tooling and drawings.
• Willingness to travel 10–20% including visits to Watertown, NY facility.

Responsibilities

• Analyze production data and workflows to improve safety, quality, productivity, and throughput.
• Develop tooling, fixtures, and machine modifications to enhance performance.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives and eliminate bottlenecks.
• Collaborate with production, maintenance, quality, and engineering teams.
• Create and maintain 3D models, BOMs, change docs, and assembly instructions.
• Oversee equipment upgrades and automation initiatives from concept through validation.

Skills

Process improvement

Root cause analysis

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree in manufacturing, Mechanical, Industrial, or related engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

Job description

Making the famous Little Trees air fresheners here in the USA since 1952.

Summary

The Manufacturing Engineer improves manufacturing processes and equipment performance. This hands-on role helps increase efficiency, solve manufacturing challenges, and drive continuous improvement.

This position is 100% on-site in DeWitt, IA.

Responsibilities

• Process Improvement: Analyze production data, workflows, cycle times, material flow, and process constraints to improve safety, quality, productivity, and throughput.
• Mechanical Design & Tooling: Develop practical tooling, fixtures, machine modifications, and automation solutions that improve safety, quality, productivity, and operational performance.
• Continuous Improvement: Lead initiatives that eliminate bottlenecks, reduce variation, and improve overall manufacturing performance.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with production, maintenance, quality, and engineering personnel to implement and validate improvements.
• Documentation & Technical Drawings: Develop and maintain engineering documentation including 3D models, manufacturing drawings, bills of material (BOMs), engineering change documentation, and assembly instructions.
• Manufacturing Technology: Lead equipment upgrades, automation initiatives, and manufacturing technology improvements from concept through implementation, including planning, design, testing, validation, commissioning, and results tracking.

Requirements

• Experience: 3+ years of experience in a manufacturing environment with demonstrated success implementing process improvements and improving safety, quality, productivity, or operational efficiency.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in manufacturing, Mechanical, Industrial, or a related engineering discipline.
• Technical Knowledge: Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, root cause analysis, mechanical systems, pneumatics, and material properties. Ability to apply engineering principles to improve manufacturing performance, quality, and efficiency.
• Design Proficiency: Proficiency with SolidWorks or equivalent CAD software to develop tooling, fixtures, machine improvements, and manufacturing drawings.
• Travel: Ability to travel 10-20% as needed, including periodic visits to the sister manufacturing facility in Watertown, NY.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with automation, controls, or robotics.
• Experience in high-speed, high-volume manufacturing.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience leading capital or manufacturing improvement projects.

Benefits include immediate eligibility in 401K Savings Plan & Match, Medical & Dental/Vision Insurance, weekly Dependent Care Reimbursement, Health & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, on-site Café & Fitness Center and free family fitness memberships.

Equal Opportunity Employer
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