Manufacturing Engineer

Socket.dev; Tualatin (OR); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

IEM is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer – First-of-Kind (FoK) & Process Development to lead the transition of new electrical distribution equipment from design to first-of-kind builds and production launches. This hands-on role operates on the manufacturing floor, solving build issues and improving manufacturability.

You will partner with Product Engineering, Quality, Production, Supply Chain, Test, and Manufacturing teams to ensure safe, efficient, and customer‑focused production.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing/Mechanical/Electrical/Industrial engineering or related field.
• 3+ years of manufacturing, product launch, process engineering, or related experience.
• Understanding of assembly drawings, wiring diagrams, schematics, BOMs, and manufacturing documentation.

Responsibilities

• Lead manufacturing engineering activities for first-of-kind builds, prototypes, and pilot production runs.
• Review product designs for manufacturability, serviceability, quality, safety, and cost.
• Identify risks before product release to production.

Skills

Manufacturing engineering

Root-cause analysis

Lean principles

DFMA

CAD drawings

ERP/MRP systems

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem solving

Project planning

Safety/compliance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering; Mechanical/Electrical/Industrial Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

SolidWorks

EPLAN

ERP/MRP systems

Job description

At IEM, we’re not just building innovative electrical distribution systems, we’re shaping the future. IEM is dedicated to delivering world-class solutions for complex power needs. After 75 years, we continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible. Whether you’re an experienced professional or just starting out, you’ll have the opportunity to contribute, grow, and make a lasting impact on industries that power the world’s most dynamic markets.

Position Summary

The Manufacturing Engineer – First-of-Kind (FoK) & Process Development will lead and support the transition of new electrical distribution equipment from engineering design through first-of-kind builds, pilot runs, validation, and successful production launch. This hands‑on role is ideal for an engineer with an electrical or mechanical background who enjoys working directly on the manufacturing floor, solving build issues, improving designs for manufacturability, and developing repeatable production methods.

The engineer will partner with Product Engineering, Quality, Production, Supply Chain, Test, and Manufacturing teams to ensure new products can be built safely, efficiently, consistently, and to customer requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead manufacturing engineering activities for first-of-kind electrical distribution equipment builds, prototype builds, and pilot production runs.
• Review product designs, drawings, bills of material, specifications, and customer requirements for manufacturability, serviceability, quality, safety, and cost.
• Identify design, process, material, tooling, ergonomic, and quality risks before product release to production.
• Assist in development and documentation for manufacturing methods, sequence of operations, work instructions, standard work, process flow, routings, visual aids, and required tooling.
• Create and maintain build plans, process validation plans, lessons learned, issue logs, and action-item tracking for FoK and pilot builds.
• Lead structured problem‑solving activities using tools such as 5 Why, fishbone analysis, PFMEA, control plans, and corrective‑action methods.
• Support development and validation of fixtures, assembly aids, test equipment, material presentation, workstations, and error‑proofing solutions.
• Establish production‑ready labor estimates, cycle times, staffing needs, line balance requirements, and capacity assumptions.
• Coordinate with Quality to define critical‑to‑quality characteristics, inspection points, test requirements, acceptance criteria, and quality documentation.
• Partner with Supply Chain and suppliers to identify material availability, alternate components, long‑lead risks, packaging needs, and supplier quality concerns.
• Participate in design reviews and provide Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFMA) feedback.
• Support the transition from pilot builds to production.
• Track build performance, defects, rework, test failures, throughput, and lessons learned; drive improvements before full production release.
• Ensure manufacturing processes comply with applicable safety, quality, electrical, and regulatory requirements.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives for existing electrical distribution equipment and manufacturing processes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related engineering discipline.
• 3+ years of manufacturing, product launch, process engineering, electrical equipment, panel assembly, or related experience.
• Electrical or mechanical aptitude with the ability to understand assembly drawings, wiring diagrams, schematics, bills of material, and manufacturing documentation.
• Experience supporting prototype, first-of-kind, pilot, new‑product introduction, or production‑launch activities.
• Working knowledge of manufacturing‑process development, standard work, work instructions, tooling, fixtures, ergonomics, and lean principles.
• Experience with root‑cause analysis, PFMEA, control plans, and corrective actions.
• Strong floor presence and ability to work collaboratively with technicians, production leaders, engineers, and quality personnel.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office; ability to work with CAD drawings and ERP/MRP systems.
• Experience manufacturing electrical distribution equipment, switchgear, switchboards, panelboards, power distribution units, industrial controls, or similar electrical assemblies.
• Experience with UL requirements, NEC, NFPA 70, NFPA 79, UL 508A, or other applicable electrical manufacturing standards.
• Familiarity with electrical testing, torque requirements, wire routing, busbar assembly, enclosure fabrication, and mechanical fit‑up.
• Experience with Lean manufacturing, value‑stream mapping, time studies, line balancing, and capacity planning.
• Knowledge of AutoCAD, SolidWorks, EPLAN, or similar design tools.

Physical Demands

• Office work is performed in an office setting that is climate controlled. Warehouse work is not climate controlled. Exposure to excessive heat and cold, wet/humid conditions, noise/vibration, hazards, dust, and fumes. Regularly required to stand, walk, and move throughout the production floor for extended periods (approximately 40% of the workday).
• Must be able to lift to 50 lbs.; Buddy lift up to 100 lbs. Mechanical assistance required for loads exceeding 100 lbs. (not added personnel).

Why Join IEM

At IEM, you’ll join a team that powers some of the world’s most ambitious projects. We’re engineers, makers, and problem‑solvers who thrive on tackling complex challenges and delivering solutions that keep industries moving forward. If you’re driven, collaborative, and ready to make an impact, we’d love to hear from you. Your creativity and passion can help us achieve great things—come be part of the journey.

Learn more about IEM at https://www.iemfg.com

We offer comprehensive and competitive benefits package designed to support our employees' well‑being, growth, and long‑term success. View a snapshot of our benefits at https://www.iemfg.com/careers

Non‑Discrimination Statement

IEM does not discriminate against any applicant based on any characteristic protected by law.

Privacy

Information collected and processed as part of your IEM Careers profile, and any job applications you choose to submit is subject to IEM's Workforce Member Privacy Policy.

Use of AI

At IEM, we are committed to a fair and transparent hiring process. Use the link below to view how we use artificial intelligence (AI) technology to assist in reviewing job applications and your rights as an applicant.

AI Use in IEM's Hiring Process