Manufacturing Engineer

HSM; Hickory (NC); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health & Wellness

401(k) with company match

Paid Time Off

On-Site Medical Clinics

Teladoc

Professional Development

Discounts with partners

Job summary

HSM in Hickory, NC seeks a Furniture Manufacturing Engineer to optimize and industrialize production processes for new products and existing lines.

You will work with Engineering, Operations, Quality, Maintenance, Supply Chain and Automation to ensure readiness and sustained performance, while leading cost reductions and standardization efforts.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of manufacturing or process engineering experience in automated environments.
• Experience industrializing products from concept to production launch.
• Experience developing processes, tooling, fixtures and production layouts.
• Knowledge of lean, Six Sigma, VAVE and structured problem-solving.
• Familiarity with ISO 9001 quality systems.

Responsibilities

• Industrialize new products from design release through production launch.
• Develop process flows, line layouts, workstations, tooling and standard work.
• Support prototype builds, pilot runs and production validation.
• Identify and implement improvements to improve OEE, throughput, and labor efficiency.
• Install, commission and validate automated equipment and robotics.
• Troubleshoot issues related to fit, dimensional variation and production flow.
• Drive cost-reduction initiatives without sacrificing performance.
• Maintain PFMEAs, Control Plans and process documentation.
• Support APQP, PPAP and capability studies with customers.
• Partner with cross-functional teams for root-cause investigations and corrective actions.
• Train production teams on new equipment and processes.
• Replicate manufacturing best practices across facilities.

Skills

Manufacturing Engineering

Process Engineering

Lean Six Sigma

Industrial Automation

Robotics

Problem Solving

VAVE

ISO 9001 Knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering

Tools

PFMEA

Control Plans

APQP/PPAP

Process Validation

Statistical Process Control

Capital Equipment

Job description

Founded in 1944, HSM is athird generation, privately held company with a rich history of innovation and a commitment to our people. With 25 locations across the U.S. and corporate headquarters in Hickory, NC and Huntersville, NC, we specialize in manufacturing components for furniture, bedding, transportation, packaging, automotive, and healthcare industries. Our expertise also includes designing and building automated production machinery. HSM products from sofa springs to swimming pool noodles and bus seats, touch everyday life in countless ways.

At HSM, our success is built on our people. We foster a culture of teamwork, innovation, and shared success. If you’re looking for a meaningful place to grow and make an impact, we want to hear from you!

What You Will Do

As the Furniture Manufacturing Engineer, you will support both new product launches and existing production operations by developing and improving manufacturing processes that are safe, efficient, and repeatable. You will work closely with Engineering, Operations, Quality, Maintenance, Supply Chain, Automation, and Production teams to ensure manufacturing readiness and long-term process performance.

Key responsibilities include:

• Industrialize new products from design release through successful production launch.
• Develop manufacturing process flows, line layouts, workstations, tooling, fixtures, assembly aids, and standardized work.
• Support prototype builds, pilot runs, production validation, run-at-rate activities and engineering changes.
• Identify and implement process improvements that improve OEE, throughput, labor utilization, quality and manufacturing flow.
• Support specification, installation, commissioning, and validation of automated equipment, robotics, vision systems, conveyors and material handling technologies.
• Troubleshoot production issues related to product fit, functionality, dimensional variation, material performance, equipment capability and production flow.
• Drive VAVE initiatives to reduce cost while maintaining product performance and customer expectations.
• Develop and maintain PFMEAs, Control Plans, process documentation, standardized work and manufacturing validation records.
• Support APQP, PPAP, process validation, capability studies and customer-specific manufacturing requirements.
• Partner with cross-functional teams on root cause investigations and sustainable corrective actions.
• Train production team members on new equipment, processes and standardized work.
• Help replicate manufacturing best practices across applicable TSM facilities.

Travel requirements ~ 20%

What You Bring

We are looking for a collaborative, analytical and results‑driven engineer who can balance technical problem solving with practical manufacturing execution.

Required qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 5 years of manufacturing or process engineering experience supporting engineered products in automated manufacturing environments.
• Experience industrializing new products from concept through production launch.
• Experience developing manufacturing processes, tooling, fixtures, assembly systems and production layouts.
• Working knowledge of industrial automation, robotics, material handling systems, vision systems and automated manufacturing technologies.
• Experience supporting capital equipment installation, commissioning, process validation and production startup.
• Strong understanding of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma principles, VAVE and structured problem‑solving methodologies.
• Working knowledge of ISO 9001.

Preferred qualifications:

• Experience in furniture, automotive, transportation, durable goods or OEM manufacturing.
• Experience with metal fabrication, foam processing, mechanical assemblies, reclining mechanisms, upholstery integration or final assembly.
• Experience with PFMEA, Control Plans, APQP, PPAP, process capability studies and statistical process control.
• Exposure to IATF 16949 and VDA 6.3 methodologies.
• Familiarity with OEE, cycle time, throughput, capacity utilization and labor efficiency metrics.

Why Join Us

• Health & Wellness: Affordable medical, dental and vision insurance plans, including an innovative global healthcare option for qualified participants.
• Retire:401(k) with company match, fully vested from day one.
• Paid Time Off: Competitive PTO: 3 Weeks of Vacation + 9 company paid holidays.
• On‑Site Medical Clinics: Free for you and covered dependents.
• Teladoc: 24/7 access with no copay.
• Professional Development: Tuition reimbursement, professional development assistance and career growth opportunities.
• Discounts: Enjoy discounts with HSM partners, including Dollywood Parks & Resort, Verizon Wireless and more.

EEOC

At HSM, we believe that our diversity creates a productive workplace. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, marital status, affectionate or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.