Manufacturing Engineer

Young Innovations; Missoula (MT); On-site; USD 80,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Young Innovations in Missoula, MT, seeks a Manufacturing Engineer to lead process optimization, equipment reliability, and continuous improvement across production operations.

You will support NPD transitions, work with QA/QC on data analysis, and ensure SOPs and maintenance records are up to date, while collaborating with technicians, operators, and engineers to improve safety, quality, and productivity.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 3-5 years’ experience in a manufacturing or R&D environment.
• Familiar with ISO 13485 Medical Device requirements.
• Experience using Solidworks or similar CAD software.
• Experience with equipment and process validation (IQ/OQ/PQ).
• Experience designing and building tools and machines.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrates in-depth expertise within manufacturing engineering and working knowledge of related disciplines.
• Provides technical support to manufacturing teams regarding specifications, regulatory compliance, production efficiency, and work methods.
• Evaluates manufacturing processes to identify improvement opportunities and implements process changes.
• Designs and performs experiments to optimize production equipment settings and process parameters.
• Develops and validates test methods to verify product characteristics and specifications.
• Collaborates with third-party and internal R&D/engineering teams to improve manufacturing processes.
• Works with the vacuum systems department (PVD and heat-treat) to ensure process control and consistency.
• Diagnoses and troubleshoots process and equipment failures.
• Directs and assists with machine maintenance activities, including vacuum pump replacement, target/source changes, heating element replacement, and minor electrical repairs.
• Develops and documents production tools and equipment.
• Performs and manages preventive maintenance schedules for production equipment.
• Reports equipment conditions and documents/enforces maintenance activities to ensure reliable operation.
• Partners with equipment manufacturers to improve, maintain, and modify systems to meet production demands.
• Collaborates with the New Product Development (NPD) team to successfully transition new products into production.
• Assists QA/QC and Production teams in gathering, analyzing, and interpreting machine and process data to resolve issues.
• Supports production operations by ensuring equipment and processes consistently meet quality, performance, and operational requirements.
• Helps maintain process stability and manufacturing consistency across production lines.
• Trains operators on equipment operation, process best practices, and established procedures.
• Maintains Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Work Instruction documentation.
• Promotes continuous improvement initiatives that enhance safety, quality, productivity, and equipment reliability.
• Ensures technical documentation, procedures, and maintenance records are accurate and up to date.

Skills

CNC mills & lathes

PLCs & control circuits

Minitab

Metallurgy & thin film coatings

Reading electrical & mechanical schem.

Analytical problem solving

Detail-oriented

Autonomous work style

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field

Tools

Solidworks

CNC machines

PLC systems

Minitab

Job description

The Manufacturing Engineer serves as a technical leader within production operations, driving process optimization, equipment reliability, and continuous improvement initiatives. This role provides expertise in equipment installation, maintenance support, and manufacturing processes to ensure safe, efficient, and reliable operations while enhancing productivity, quality, and overall operational performance

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Process Engineering

• Demonstrates in-depth expertise within manufacturing engineering and working knowledge of related disciplines.
• Provides technical support to manufacturing teams regarding specifications, regulatory compliance, production efficiency, and work methods.
• Evaluates manufacturing processes to identify improvement opportunities and implements process changes.
• Designs and performs experiments to optimize production equipment settings and process parameters.
• Develops and validates test methods to verify product characteristics and specifications.
• Collaborates with third-party and internal R&D/engineering teams to improve manufacturing processes.
• Works with the vacuum systems department (PVD and heat-treat) to ensure process control and consistency.

Equipment Reliability & Maintenance

• Diagnoses and troubleshoots process and equipment failures.
• Directs and assists with machine maintenance activities, including vacuum pump replacement, target/source changes, heating element replacement, and minor electrical repairs.
• Develops and documents production tools and equipment.
• Performs and manages preventive maintenance schedules for production equipment.
• Reports equipment conditions and documents/enforces maintenance activities to ensure reliable operation.
• Partners with equipment manufacturers to improve, maintain, and modify systems to meet production demands.

Product & Production Support

• Collaborates with the New Product Development (NPD) team to successfully transition new products into production.
• Assists QA/QC and Production teams in gathering, analyzing, and interpreting machine and process data to resolve issues.
• Supports production operations by ensuring equipment and processes consistently meet quality, performance, and operational requirements.
• Helps maintain process stability and manufacturing consistency across production lines.
• Trains operators on equipment operation, process best practices, and established procedures.
• Maintains Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Work Instruction documentation.
• Promotes continuous improvement initiatives that enhance safety, quality, productivity, and equipment reliability.
• Ensures technical documentation, procedures, and maintenance records are accurate and up to date.

Other duties as assigned

Required Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field
• 3-5 years’ experience in a manufacturing or R&D environment
• Familiar with ISO 13485 Medical Device requirements
• Experience using Solidworks or similar CAD software
• Experience with equipment and process validation (IQ/OQ/PQ)
• Experience designing and building tools and machines

Technical Skills

• Advanced CAD skills using Solidworks
• Experience with CNC mills and lathes
• Familiar with PLCs, control circuits, sensors, and actuators
• Familiar with Minitab Statistical Software
• Knowledge of metallurgy and thin film coatings
• Knowledge of PVD processes
• Possess understanding of vacuum systems, mechanics, and electronics
• Ability to read and interpret electrical and mechanical schematics
• Able to work with technicians, operators, and engineers collaboratively
• Strong analytical skills, problem solving skills, and attention to details
• Must be detail-oriented and able to work autonomously with minimal direction/supervision
• Ability to manage multiple projects, prioritize tasks, and adapt to changing priorities
• Must possess effective oral and written communication and interpersonal skills

Compensation Range:

$80,000-95,000

Travel Requirement

• Up to 5% travel

Manufacturing/Distribution Environment

This position operates in a manufacturing/distribution environment. The role routinely involves working around machinery, equipment, and moving mechanical parts. The facility may be subject to varying temperatures, loud noise levels, and airborne particles such as dust or chemical fumes, depending on the area of the plant. This role may require periods of standing, sitting, or walking for periods of 8 hours or more. Occasional bending, lifting, or carrying items up to 50 pounds may be necessary.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, control, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk. Hearing abilities required for this environment include being able to clearly hear and respond to audible alarms, production equipment, forklifts, and other machinery to maintain a safe work environment. Individuals must be able to distinguish and understand verbal communication including instructions, safety warnings, and team discussions, sometimes in an environment with moderate to high background noise.