Manufacturing Engineer

ASTEC; Raleigh (IL); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

ASTEC seeks a Primary Process Owner to partner with manufacturing, quality, OpEx and safety to create safe, efficient, and reliable methods. You will identify opportunities to improve productivity and reduce costs using Kaizen, lean tools, and standardization, deploying these across cross-functional teams.

The role focuses on eliminating waste, improving on-time delivery, and ensuring quality through process validation, standard work instructions, and capacity planning.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering required; related degrees acceptable with experience.
• Minimum of three years in a manufacturing environment with heavy machinery.
• Knowledge of machine shop operations and metal-cutting processes.
• Understanding of Lean methods (Kaizen, value-stream).
• Ability to read engineering drawings and apply GD&T concepts.
• Familiarity with PPAP, FMEA, MSA and control plans is preferred.
• Ability to collaborate across functions and lead improvement projects.
• Maintains regular attendance and safety compliance.

Responsibilities

• Develops and evaluates manufacturing methods to improve productivity and reduce costs.
• Leads cross-functional events to deploy standards and lean techniques.
• Applies visual and auditable manufacturing practices to improve quality and on-time delivery.
• Develops work instructions and tooling requirements for new or improved processes.
• Analyzes capacity, workflows, and material routing to optimize operations.
• Supports initial production launches with capacity analysis and process validation.

Skills

LEAN manufacturing

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem solving

Quality improvement mindset

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Associates Degree with relevant experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

BUILT TO CONNECT

At Astec, we believe in the power of connection and the importance of building long-lasting relationships with our employees, customers and the communities we call home. With a team more than 4,000 strong, our employees are our #1 advantage. We invest in skills training and provide opportunities for career development to help you grow along with the business. We offer programs that support physical safety, as well as benefits and resources to enhance total health and wellbeing, so you can be your best at work and at home.

BUILT TO CONNECT

At Astec, we believe in the power of connection and the importance of building long-lasting relationships with our employees, customers and the communities we call home. With a team more than 4,000 strong, our employees are our #1 advantage. We invest in skills training and provide opportunities for career development to help you grow along with the business. We offer programs that support physical safety, as well as benefits and resources to enhance total health and wellbeing, so you can be your best at work and at home.
Our equipment is used to build the roads and infrastructure that connects us to each other and to the goods and services we use. We are an industry leader known for delivering innovative solutions that create value for our customers. As our industry evolves, we are using new technology and data like never before.
We’re looking for creative problem solvers to build the future with us. Connect with us today and build your career at Astec.

LOCATION

About The Position

Primary Process Owner, who works closely with all aspects of Astec, Inc. operations (manufacturing, quality, OpEx and safety) to develop safe, efficient and reliable manufacturing methods. Identifies process improvement opportunities (productivity and reduce costs), allowing Astec to create a sustainable competitive advantage through the use of Kaizen, lean tools and methods. Leads cross functional events to analyze and deploy standards and techniques, to improve quality, ensure on-time delivery, control costs and/or other engineering/economic objectives; Applies visual and auditable, manufacturing best practices to solve problems, improve performance and productivity, while eliminating waste.

• Develops, evaluates, and recommends improvements in manufacturing methods through new processes and modifications, minimizing cost and effectively applying production capabilities.
• Implements process improvements through time studies, process mapping, value-stream mapping, spaghetti mapping and workload balancing, through cross-functional team collaboration,
• Using standard lean tool sets, achieves safety and process improvements, through reductions cycle-time, rework, scrap, inventory, overtime, space, on-time completions, etc.
• Facilitates continuous improvements through the use of lean tools and coordinates lean training, development activities of all employees.
• Works with manufacturing to analyze and plan work force utilization, space requirements, material routing and handling methods, manufacturing processes and methods, machine and tool design applications, workflow and new technology and designs layout of equipment and workspace for maximum efficiency, safety and quality.
• Estimates production times, capacity requirements and related costs to provide information for management decisions and to meet completion dates and technical specifications.
• Develops proposals, evaluates new development programs and recommends changes in parts specifications, manufacturing processes and production methods and/or objectives to improve quality, productivity, manufacturability and safety as required.
• Applies statistical methods to estimate future manufacturing requirements and potential.
• Responsible for the transition of new product introductions from engineering to manufacturing, including capacity analysis, process robustness and process validations.
• Develops and maintains the manufacturing process work instructions and assembly tooling that are initiated by product design or method improvement changes.
• Specify new equipment and design required fixtures, jigs and tooling needed to meet production and quality requirements.
• Prepares and makes presentations to individuals and groups using Microsoft Office applications.
• Understanding of ISO / IATF / AS QMS standards and experience internal auditing to the standards.
• Knowledge in GD&T, measurement practices and APQP tools such as PPAP, dFMEA, pFMEA, MSA, SPC, capability studies and control plans.
• Researches, organizes, analyzes and maintains records of technical information from a variety of sources.
• Follows company policies and procedures at all times.
• Follows proper safety rules and procedures at all times.
• Performs special projects other duties as assigned.

To be successful in this role, your experience and competencies are:

• Bachelor's degree (B.S.) or equivalent from a college or university in Engineering, preferably Mechanical. Associates Degree with significant relevant experience is also acceptable.
• Minimum of three (3) years related work experience in a manufacturing environment required with a demonstrated understanding of heavy machinery manufacturing processes.
• Knowledge of machine shop operations/processes required.
• Knowledge of LEAN methods used in manufacturing processes required.
• Knowledge of all types of metal-cutting processes, to include punch, plasma, and flame cutting required.
• Knowledge of engineering/manufacturing system of symbols, legends, shading and lines required and skill reading engineering drawings required.
• Knowledge and understanding of nesting software for material optimization preferred.
• Must be able to collaborate and facilitate cross functional teams to influence and manage change in a heavy manufacturing, multi-shift work environment.
• Must be able to meet regular attendance requirements.

Our Culture and Values

• Continuous devotion to meeting the needs of our customers
• Honesty and integrity in all aspects of business
• Respect for all individuals
• Preserving entrepreneurial spirit and innovation
• Safety, quality and productivity as means to ensure success

Travel Requirements: 0

% of travel, regional, international

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Manufacturing Environment

Shop manufacturing environment exposures include exposure to moving mechanical parts, machinery, tools and equipment, vibration, fumes or airborne particles, motorized vehicles, welding and machining operations, outside weather conditions and exposure to the risk of electric shock. The employee may occasionally be exposed to varying levels of dirt, dust, toxic or caustic chemicals, very warm and/or very chilly temperatures. The noise level in the shop can be very loud at times consistent with an industrial assembly facility and may require hearing protection. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Astec does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, gender (sex), sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, citizenship status, a person’s veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law or executive order.