Manufacturing Engineer I: Lean & Smart Factory

Vermeer Corporation; Pella (IA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Vermeer Corporation in Iowa is seeking an Engineer I – Manufacturing to support cross-functional teams in improving production processes, boosting product quality, and implementing sustainable practices aligned with our continuous improvement culture.

You will collaborate across manufacturing, product development, and aftermarket to reduce waste, lead Kaizen events, and apply lean principles, while interpreting schematics and using ERP/Power BI for data-driven decisions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Industrial Technology, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or equivalent.
• Knowledge of lean manufacturing, tooling design, and reading technical drawings; familiarity with continuous improvement methods and digital work instruction tools.
• Ability to understand manufacturing and internal customer needs to collaboratively deliver practical solutions that improve quality, efficiency, or sustainability.
• Familiarity with assembly and welding processes, JIT manufacturing, and reading mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic schematics.
• Ability to apply lean principles to reduce waste, support sustainable manufacturing practices, and lead Kaizen or cross-functional improvement events.
• Exposure to PLM and ECN systems such as Teamcenter or Windchill to manage process changes, BOM updates, and documentation.
• Familiarity with digital manufacturing tools and smart factory technologies, including ERP systems, Power BI dashboards, or IoT-enabled process monitoring.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with manufacturing, product development, and lifecycle/aftermarket teams to identify and implement process improvements that enhance quality, efficiency, and sustainability.
• Apply lean manufacturing principles to reduce waste, support just-in-time (JIT) production, and lead or participate in Kaizen and cross-functional improvement events.
• Interpret and work with mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic schematics to support assembly and welding processes.
• Design and optimize tooling and fixtures, leveraging digital work instruction tools to enhance operator efficiency and safety.
• Utilize PLM and ECN systems such as Teamcenter or Windchill to manage process changes, BOM updates, and documentation.
• Support data-driven decision-making through ERP systems, Power BI dashboards, and IoT-enabled process monitoring tools.
• Occasional travel may be required.

Skills

Lean manufacturing

Tooling design

Reading drawings

JIT production

Cross-functional teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Tools

Teamcenter

Windchill

Job description

Vermeer Corporation in Iowa is seeking an Engineer I – Manufacturing to support cross-functional teams in improving production processes, boosting product quality, and implementing sustainable practices aligned with our continuous improvement culture.

You will collaborate across manufacturing, product development, and aftermarket to reduce waste, lead Kaizen events, and apply lean principles, while interpreting schematics and using ERP/Power BI for data-driven decisions.