Manufacturing Engineer

Duravant; Wood Dale (IL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Duravant is seeking a skilled Manufacturing Engineer located in Wood Dale, IL. This role requires experience in high mix, low volume environments and an understanding of ERP systems, specifically Epicor, to drive efficiency and improve production processes.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in design-for-manufacturability and proven analytical skills. Join us to impact our engineered-to-order business and collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance manufacturing operations.

Qualifications

• 5–10+ years of manufacturing engineering experience in a high mix, low volume environment.
• Hands-on experience with ERP systems (Epicor strongly preferred).
• Demonstrated expertise in DFM and product cost optimization.

Responsibilities

• Drive operational efficiency through ERP part setup.
• Partner with IT and operations to optimize Epicor workflows.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives tied to ERP usage.
• Develop scalable processes for engineered-to-order and configurable products.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to reduce complexity and improve production flow.

Skills

Manufacturing engineering

ERP systems (Epicor)

Design-for-manufacturability

Analytical skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

4 Year Degree

Tools

Excel

Job description

Job Details

Level: Experienced
Location: Wood Dale, IL 60191
Position Type: Full Time
Education Level: 4 Year Degree
Salary Range: $76,750.00 - $11,500.00
Travel Percentage: 0%
Job Shift: Day
Job Category: Management

Company Overview

nVenia, a member of the Duravant family of operating companies, is a manufacturer and supplier of packaging equipment machinery. With over 200 years of combined experience, our long-standing brands of Arpac, Fischbein, Hamer, Ohlson and Mespack serve end customers in custom packaging goods, food and beverage, industrial and other markets. As a Duravant Family Company, nVenia participates in global Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs, as well as Doing Good initiatives to support our communities. We offer an excellent total rewards package that includes Competitive Compensation, a comprehensive benefit package, work/life programs, and education and training programs.

Position Summary

We are seeking a highly capable Manufacturing Engineer to support a high mix, low volume (HMLV) engineered-to-order business. This role will drive ERP (Epicor) excellence, design-for-manufacturability (DFM), and operational analytics to improve production efficiency, and product cost structure. This individual will operate as a critical partner to product management, engineering, and operations, ensuring that designs are manufacturable, routings are accurate, and data drives decision‑making.

Essential Responsibilities

• Drive operational efficiency through ERP part setup, including EOQ, routings, and product structure
• Partner with IT and operations to optimize Epicor workflows for high mix, low volume manufacturing
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives tied to ERP usage, including cycle time reduction, labor standards, and scrap tracking
• Develop scalable processes for engineered-to-order and configurable products
• Improve throughput without relying on high volume assumptions or rigid standardization
• Balance flexibility with discipline in manufacturing processes and documentation
• Collaborate cross‑functionally to reduce complexity and improve production flow
• Partner with design engineering early in development to ensure manufacturable designs
• Identify cost reduction opportunities through simplified fabrication, assembly, and material selection
• Establish DFM guidelines and best practices across product lines
• Support VAVE initiatives to improve margins, reduce part count, and minimize variability
• Analyze manufacturing performance, including labor efficiency, cost variance, and lead times
• Build and maintain models to support quoting, capacity planning, and process improvement
• Identify root causes of inefficiencies using structured problem‑solving methods
• Translate data into clear, actionable recommendations for leadership

Position Requirements

• 5–10+ years of manufacturing engineering experience in a high mix, low volume environment
• Hands‑on experience with ERP systems (Epicor strongly preferred)
• Demonstrated expertise in DFM and product cost optimization
• Strong analytical skills (Excel, data modeling, cost analysis)
• Proven ability to work cross‑functionally (engineering, operations, product management)

Preferred Requirements

• Experience with engineered‑to‑order or configurable equipment/products
• Background in packaging machinery or automation systems
• Familiarity with Lean principles adapted to HMLV environments (not strict LMHV)
• Exposure to CAD-PDM integrations and part standardization strategies

Physical Requirements

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand for a minimum of 8 hours per day. The employee is frequently required to grasp, handle, and feel objects, control and manage tools, and use hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to walk, stoop, kneel and crouch. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 75 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but at times loud. The employee is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential function.

Additional Information

nVenia is a packaging machinery manufacturing and service organization widely known to have the widest selection of packaging technology under one roof and is dedicated to providing our distributors and end-users the highest quality product and support. nVenia brings Duravant packaging leaders Arpac, Hamer‑Fischbein and Ohlson Packaging together to create next‑level packaging equipment integration and innovation. One name, in one location, with one shared focus: our customers and the problems we need to solve.