Manufacturing Engineer (1156730)

The Judge Group; Traverse City (MI); On-site; USD 80,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

401(k) with company matching

Paid time off

Job summary

The Judge Group is seeking a Process & Manufacturing Engineer in Traverse City, MI. This role reports to the Operations Portfolio Manager and focuses on designing, implementing, and optimizing cost-effective production methods aligned with product specifications and quality standards.

You will lead continuous improvement, NPI changes, and material disposition with a 24-hour SLA, perform SPC and MSA studies, and help achieve OEE targets of 85%+.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing, Mechanical, Industrial Engineering or related technical discipline.
• 2+ years hands-on engineering experience in a precision industrial or mechanical production environment.
• Experience troubleshooting complex machinery, tooling, and processes.
• Must be a U.S. Person under ITAR/EAR; no visa sponsorship.

Responsibilities

• Architect, document, and refine high-precision production workflows and analyze ROI.
• Lead root-cause analysis using data to reduce defects and drive improvements.
• Track KPIs and tolerances; analyze trends for tool wear or process drift.
• Represent operations during NPI launches; draft ECN/TCN; train production staff.
• Provide technical support for non-conforming material dispositions within 24 hours; coordinate FPA.
• Perform SPC and MSA studies (Gage R&R, Linearity & Bias); lead metrology efforts.
• Collaborate with Operations Manager, Quality Engineer, and Systems Specialist to sustain OEE targets.

Education

Bachelors in Manufacturing/Mechanical/Industrial Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

GibbsCAM

Esprit

Vericut

Calypso

PiWeb

Job description

Location: Traverse City, MI

Salary: $80,000.00 USD Annually - $95,000.00 USD Annually

Process & Manufacturing Engineer

Position Summary

Reporting directly to the Operations Portfolio Manager, the Process & Manufacturing Engineer designs, implements, and optimizes cost-effective production methods aligned with product specifications and quality standards. This role serves as the technical subject matter expert for plant workflows and machining operations, utilizing data analytics to eliminate process variation, drive continuous improvement, and support operational excellence across the shop floor.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Process Ownership & Optimization: Architect, document, and refine high-precision production workflows. Conduct cost-benefit analyses to validate project ROI and cost-reduction opportunities.
• Continuous Improvement & Root Cause Analysis: Lead long-term problem-solving initiatives in collaboration with quality and operations personnel. Use data analytics to evaluate defect root causes and measure corrective action effectiveness.
• Variance Analysis & Trend Monitoring: Track KPIs and critical dimensional tolerances during live production runs. Analyze statistical trends to flag tool wear, thermal expansion, or process drift before parts breach engineering limits.
• New Product Introduction (NPI) & Change Management: Serve as the primary operations representative during early-stage product launches. Formalize process updates via engineering change notices (ECN/TCN), draft standard work instructions, and train production technicians on new workflows.
• In-Line Support & Material Disposition: Provide technical assistance for non-conforming material disposition within a 24-hour SLA. Coordinate First Piece Approvals (FPA) and inspection audits to minimize line stoppages.
• Capability & Measurement Studies: Perform statistical process capability studies on machinery and new tooling setups. Lead Measurement System Analysis (MSA) projects, including Gage R&R and Linearity & Bias assessments.
• Operational Team Leadership: Partner with unit leadership (Operations Manager, Quality Engineer, Systems Specialist) to sustain target plant performance, driving overall equipment efficiency (OEE) toward an 85%+ baseline.

Knowledge, Skills, & Technical Abilities

• Blueprint & Metrology Expertise: Advanced knowledge of technical engineering drawings and Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T).
• Machining & Tooling Proficiency: Practical background in multi-axis CNC equipment setups, tight-tolerance machining, cutting tool selection, and coordinate measuring machine (CMM) operation.
• Specialized Software Skills: Proficiency with industry-standard CAD/CAM, simulation, and metrology software platforms (such as SolidWorks, GibbsCAM, Esprit, Vericut, Calypso, or PiWeb).
• Lean Methodologies: Applied understanding of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma waste reduction, and structured root-cause problem solving.
• Soft Skills & Execution: Strong detail orientation, self-directed time management, clear written/verbal communication, and a strong track record of mentoring shop floor personnel.

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• 2+ years of hands-on engineering experience in a precision industrial or mechanical production environment.
• Demonstrated experience troubleshooting complex machinery, tooling, and manufacturing processes.
• Must be legally qualified as a U.S. Person under applicable export control frameworks (ITAR/EAR) due to customer compliance requirements. No visa sponsorship available.

Preferred

• Prior experience in high-precision CNC machining or automated manufacturing environments.
• Formal coursework or certification in Lean Manufacturing techniques.

Benefits & Compensation Structure

• Day 1 Coverage: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance; Health Savings Account (HSA); company-paid short-term disability, long-term disability, and life insurance.
• Retirement & Bonus: 401(k) retirement savings plan with employer matching structure; eligibility for quarterly performance bonuses.
• Paid Leave: Paid Time Off (PTO) available following initial employment milestone.