Manufacturing Engineer

Equiliem; Santa Ana (CA); On-site; USD 96,000 - 101,000; Full time

Job summary

Equiliem is seeking a Lead Manufacturing Engineer in Santa Ana, CA to drive initiatives that improve productivity, quality, cost efficiency, and processes. This role supports launch, commissioning, and scale-up of assembly operations and collaborates with cross-functional teams to develop scalable manufacturing processes.

Responsibilities include designing layouts, implementing automated handling, applying lean principles, and guiding problem-solving with DMAIC.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering required.
• Master's degree in Engineering preferred.
• Experience supporting manufacturing launches, commissioning, or production scale-up.
• Experience designing or improving manufacturing assembly lines.
• Strong understanding of Lean Manufacturing principles and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience leading root cause analysis and structured problem-solving using DMAIC or similar methodologies.
• Experience with Engineering Change Notices (ECNs).
• Knowledge of manufacturing process documentation, including work instructions, control plans, PFMEAs, and process validation.
• Ability to train production personnel on manufacturing processes.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Experience with high-mix, low-volume manufacturing environments preferred.
• Experience transitioning products from prototype to production preferred.
• Knowledge of queueing theory and discrete event simulation software (such as ARENA) preferred.
• Familiarity with APQP and PFMEA methodologies preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead manufacturing engineering activities supporting new product launches, production ramp-up, and assembly line commissioning.
• Design, develop, and optimize manufacturing processes to improve productivity, quality, and operational efficiency.
• Evaluate product designs for manufacturability and production readiness.
• Design and implement assembly line layouts, including semi-automated systems, flexible manufacturing cells, one-piece flow, and batch flow.
• Develop automated material handling solutions to improve material flow throughout manufacturing operations.
• Provide hands-on engineering support within a high-mix manufacturing environment.
• Apply Lean Manufacturing principles, including standardized work, value stream mapping, and material flow optimization.
• Lead structured problem-solving activities using DMAIC and root cause analysis methodologies.
• Process and implement Engineering Change Notices (ECNs).
• Develop and maintain manufacturing documentation, including Work Instructions, Control Plans, PFMEAs, and Process Validation Plans.
• Train production personnel on manufacturing processes and standard work.
• Facilitate Value Stream Mapping (VSM) workshops and Kaizen events.
• Prepare capital equipment requests and support manufacturing equipment implementation.
• Collaborate with engineering, production, and quality teams to improve manufacturing performance.
• Support additional manufacturing engineering projects as assigned.

Skills

Lean Manufacturing

DMAIC

Root Cause Analysis

Process Optimization

Cross-functional Collaboration

Troubleshooting

Project Management

Communication

High-mix/Low-volume Manufacturing

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Master's degree in Engineering

Tools

ARENA

Job description

Santa Ana, CA - Candidate will be traveling 50% of the time to Richmond, VA

Pay: $70.00 - $73.00 per hour

Job Summar

yThe Lead Manufacturing Engineer is responsible for leading manufacturing initiatives that improve productivity, product quality, cost efficiency, and manufacturing processes. This role supports the launch, commissioning, and scale-up of assembly operations while driving continuous improvement through lean manufacturing principles, process optimization, and engineering best practices. The position works closely with cross-functional teams to develop scalable manufacturing processes, implement engineering changes, and support production readiness

.Job Responsibilitie

• sLead manufacturing engineering activities supporting new product launches, production ramp-up, and assembly line commissioning
• .Design, develop, and optimize manufacturing processes to improve productivity, quality, and operational efficiency
• .Evaluate product designs for manufacturability and production readiness
• .Design and implement assembly line layouts, including semi-automated systems, flexible manufacturing cells, one-piece flow, and batch flow
• .Develop automated material handling solutions to improve material flow throughout manufacturing operations
• .Provide hands-on engineering support within a high-mix manufacturing environment
• .Apply Lean Manufacturing principles, including standardized work, value stream mapping, and material flow optimization
• .Lead structured problem-solving activities using DMAIC and root cause analysis methodologies
• .Process and implement Engineering Change Notices (ECNs)
• .Develop and maintain manufacturing documentation, including
• :Work Instruction
• sControl Plan
• sProcess Failure Mode and Effects Analyses (PFMEAs
• )Process Validation Plan
• sTrain production personnel on manufacturing processes and standard work
• .Facilitate Value Stream Mapping (VSM) workshops and Kaizen events
• .Prepare capital equipment requests and support manufacturing equipment implementation
• .Collaborate with engineering, production, and quality teams to improve manufacturing performance
• .Support additional manufacturing engineering projects as assigned

.Job Requirement

• sMinimum of 3 years of manufacturing engineering or technical manufacturing experience
• .Experience supporting manufacturing launches, commissioning, or production scale-up
• .Experience designing or improving manufacturing assembly lines
• .Strong understanding of Lean Manufacturing principles and continuous improvement methodologies
• .Experience leading root cause analysis and structured problem-solving using DMAIC or similar methodologies
• .Experience with Engineering Change Notices (ECNs)
• .Knowledge of manufacturing process documentation, including work instructions, control plans, PFMEAs, and process validation
• .Ability to train production personnel on manufacturing processes
• .Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills
• .Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills
• .Experience with high-mix, low-volume manufacturing environments preferred
• .Experience transitioning products from prototype to production preferred
• .Knowledge of queueing theory and discrete event simulation software (such as ARENA) preferred
• .Familiarity with APQP and PFMEA methodologies preferred
• .Ability to travel as required between Richmond, VA and Santa Ana, CA

.Educatio

• nBachelor\'s degree in Engineering required
• .Master\'s degree in Engineering preferred