Manufacturing Engineer

Clarios; United States; On-site; USD 75,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision coverage

401(k) with company matching

Tuition reimbursement

Parental leave

Job summary

Clarios is seeking a Manufacturing Process Engineer for the 1st shift at our Middletown, DE facility. You will support plant operations on the factory floor, driving continuous improvement and resolving production issues with hands-on engineering expertise.

The role emphasizes reducing downtime, improving process reliability, and optimizing equipment performance through data-driven analysis and cross-functional teamwork with operations and maintenance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical or Electrical preferred) or equivalent experience.
• 3–5 years of hands-on manufacturing experience, including troubleshooting equipment/process issues.
• Working knowledge of PLC programming and ladder logic (troubleshooting required; programming a plus).
• Strong problem-solving and data analysis skills, with experience identifying root causes and driving improvements.

Responsibilities

• Provide primary engineering support on 1st shift, troubleshooting equipment and process issues in real time.
• Identify and eliminate recurring downtime, bottlenecks, and scrap through structured root cause analysis.
• Analyze production data to uncover trends and improvement opportunities, driving measurable process gains.
• Lead and support capital and continuous improvement projects from concept through implementation.
• Develop and maintain process documentation, work instructions, and equipment standards/layouts.
• Drive Lean / Six Sigma initiatives to improve efficiency, quality, and overall equipment performance.

Skills

Troubleshooting equipment

PLC ladder logic

Data analysis

Root cause analysis

Lean Six Sigma

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Tools

CAD software

Minitab

Job description

What you will do We’re hiring a Manufacturing Process Engineer – 1st Shift to support plant operations at our manufacturing facility in Middletown, Delaware. Reporting to the Engineering Manager, this is a hands‑on, high‑impact role focused on driving continuous improvement, resolving production issues, and optimizing equipment performance. This position is fully on‑site, working directly on the plant floor alongside production and maintenance teams. Our engineering team plays a critical role in ensuring operational excellence by improving process reliability, reducing downtime, and supporting manufacturing performance. In this role, you’ll serve as a key partner to operations, helping identify and eliminate inefficiencies while supporting both daily production needs and longer‑term improvement initiatives.

What Does Success Look Like

• Act as the primary engineering support on 1st shift, troubleshooting equipment and process issues in real time
• Identify and eliminate recurring downtime, bottlenecks, and scrap through structured root cause analysis
• Analyze production data to uncover trends and improvement opportunities, driving measurable process gains
• Lead and support capital and continuous improvement projects from concept through implementation
• Develop and maintain process documentation, work instructions, and equipment standards/layouts
• Drive Lean / Six Sigma initiatives to improve efficiency, quality, and overall equipment performance

What we look for

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical or Electrical preferred), or equivalent experience
• 3–5 years of hands‑on manufacturing experience, including troubleshooting equipment/process issues
• Working knowledge of PLC programming and ladder logic (troubleshooting required; programming a plus)
• Strong problem‑solving and data analysis skills, with experience identifying root causes and driving improvements

Preferred

• Experience with Lean, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement methodologies
• Familiarity with CAD systems (equipment layouts, drawings, BOMs)
• Experience with data analysis tools (e.g., Minitab)

Additional Details

• Shift: 1st shift (Monday–Friday, 8–10-hour shifts)
• Overtime: Flexible based on production and project needs
• Work Environment: On-site manufacturing plant (hot and cold conditions)
• PPE: FR (fire‑retardant) clothing required; plant includes lead exposure controls; no respirator required

Location

Fort Wayne - Distribution Center: Our Fort Wayne, Indiana distribution center charges, packages and ships the batteries used in cars, boats, motorcycles, and heavy‑duty trucks. We opened in 1999 and now employ 130 people and operate six days per week. We are actively involved in our local community and give back through The United Way.

Work Authorization

Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. without the need for employment-based visa sponsorship now or in the future. Clarios will not sponsor applicants for U.S. work visas for this opportunity.

Benefits

• Medical, dental and vision care coverage and a 401(k) savings plan with company matching – all starting on date of hire
• Tuition reimbursement, perks, and discounts
• Parental and caregiver leave programs
• All the usual benefits such as paid time off, flexible spending, short-and long-term disability, basic life insurance, business travel insurance, and Employee Assistance Program
• Global market strength and worldwide market share leadership HQ location earns LEED certification for sustainability plus a full‑service cafeteria and workout facility
• Clarios has been recognized as one of 2026's Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere. This prestigious recognition marks the fourth consecutive year Clarios has received this distinction.

Who we are

Clarios is the force behind the world’s most recognizable car battery brands, powering vehicles from leading automakers like Ford, GeneralMotors, Toyota, Honda, and Nissan. With 18,000 employees worldwide, we develop, manufacture, and distribute energy storage solutions while recovering, recycling, and reusing up to99% of battery materials—setting the standard for sustainability in our industry. At Clarios, we’re not just making batteries; we’re shaping the future of sustainable transportation. Join our mission to innovate, push boundaries, and make a real impact. Discover your potential at Clarios—where your power meets endless possibilities.

Veterans/Military Spouses

We value the leadership, adaptability, and technical expertise developed through military service. At Clarios, those capabilities thrive in an environment built on grit, ingenuity, and passion—where you can grow your career while helping to power progress worldwide. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to protected characteristics.

Equal Employment Opportunity

We recognize that people come with a wealth of experience and talent beyond just the technical requirements of a job. If your experience is close to what you see listed here, please apply. Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is key to challenging the status quo. Therefore, we encourage people from all backgrounds to apply to our positions. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, status as a protected veteran or other protected characteristics protected by law. As a federal contractor, we are committed to not discriminating against any applicant or employee based on these protected statuses. We will also take affirmative action to ensure equal employment opportunities. Please let us know if you require accommodations during the interview process by emailing [e-mail]. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and value diversity in our teams in terms of work experience, area of expertise, and all characteristics protected by laws in the countries where we operate. For more information on our commitment to sustainability, diversity, and equal opportunity, please read our latest report. We want you to know your rights because EEO is the law.