Manufacturing Engineer

Upside Search; Petersburg (VA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Upside Search is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer to improve our client's manufacturing operations on the shop floor in Virginia. The role focuses on process optimization, productivity, quality, waste reduction, equipment performance, and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities include analyzing processes, removing bottlenecks, supporting maintenance, and leading Lean initiatives to drive measurable gains in efficiency and product quality across the production lines.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related engineering field.
• 3–10 years of manufacturing process improvement experience.
• Strong Lean and CI knowledge (5S, Kaizen, RCA).
• Proficiency with Excel and ERP systems; JD Edwards is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Analyze manufacturing processes to improve safety, productivity, quality, throughput, and cost.
• Identify bottlenecks, waste, and inefficiencies and implement practical solutions.
• Provide hands‑on engineering support on the factory floor.
• Lead Lean and CI initiatives using 5S, Kaizen, RCA, and process mapping.
• Develop and improve SOPs and standardized processes.
• Collaborate with Maintenance to improve equipment reliability and uptime.
• Work with Quality to reduce defects and ensure product consistency.
• Analyze scrap, rework, yield, downtime data to identify root causes and opportunities.
• Support cost reductions and capital projects including new equipment assessment and validation.
• Assist with plant layout changes, line improvements, and workflow optimization.
• Track KPIs like productivity and downtime and present findings to leadership.

Skills

Lean manufacturing

Continuous improvement

5S

Kaizen

Root cause analysis

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering

Tools

Excel

ERP systems

JD Edwards

Job description

Our client is a well-established U.S. manufacturer of premium wood products used across residential and commercial applications. With a vertically integrated operation spanning the full supply chain from forest to customer, the company has built a strong reputation for quality, consistency, and manufacturing expertise.

The Manufacturing Engineer will play a key role in improving the performance of the company's manufacturing operation, with a focus on process optimization, productivity, quality, waste reduction, equipment performance, and continuous improvement.

This is a highly visible, hands-on position for an Engineer who enjoys being close to the manufacturing floor and solving real operational problems. Working cross-functionally with Operations, Maintenance, Quality, and Leadership, this individual will evaluate existing processes, identify opportunities for improvement, troubleshoot production challenges, and implement practical solutions that improve overall manufacturing performance.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

• Make a Measurable Impact: Take ownership of projects that directly improve productivity, throughput, quality, cost, and overall manufacturing efficiency.
• Continuous Improvement Focus: Lead Lean and process improvement initiatives designed to create more consistent manufacturing processes.
• High Visibility: Work cross-functionally with Operations, Maintenance, Quality, and Leadership while presenting recommendations and helping drive meaningful operational improvements.
• Established Manufacturing Organization: Join a vertically integrated U.S. manufacturer with more than 50 years of experience and an established reputation within the building products industry.

Key Responsibilities:

• Analyze existing manufacturing processes and identify opportunities to improve safety, productivity, quality, throughput, and cost.
• Identify production bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and sources of waste while developing and implementing practical solutions.
• Provide hands-on engineering support to the manufacturing floor, troubleshooting process issues and implementing corrective actions.
• Lead Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives utilizing tools such as 5S, Kaizen, root cause analysis, and process mapping.
• Develop, document, and improve SOPs and standardized manufacturing processes.
• Partner with Maintenance to improve equipment reliability, performance, and overall uptime.
• Work with Quality to reduce defects, improve product consistency, and address recurring manufacturing issues.
• Analyze scrap, rework, yield, downtime, and production data to identify root causes and improvement opportunities.
• Support cost reduction initiatives through process improvements, waste reduction, and material optimization.Assist with the evaluation, selection, installation, commissioning, and validation of new manufacturing equipment.
• Support plant layout changes, line improvements, workflow optimization, and other capital improvement projects.
• Track and analyze manufacturing KPIs, including productivity, downtime, yield, and efficiency.
• Use data and operational analysis to develop recommendations and present improvement opportunities to leadership.
• Collaborate across Operations, Maintenance, Quality, and other departments to drive sustainable improvements throughout the manufacturing operation.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering Technology, or a related field.
• 3-10 years of engineering or process improvement experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies, including 5S, Kaizen, and root cause analysis.
• Proficiency in Excel and experience working with ERP systems; JD Edwards experience is a plus.