Manufacturing Engineer III

TAPCO (Traffic and Parking Control Co., LLC); Brown Deer (WI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Quarterly Bonus

Paid Holidays

Paid Vacation

Parental Leave

401K with match

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Company events

Job summary

TAPCO (Traffic and Parking Control Co., LLC) is seeking an experienced Manufacturing Engineer III to drive safety, quality, efficiency, and cost improvements across manufacturing operations. You will lead cross-functional teams, mentor junior engineers, and deliver measurable ROI on projects.

Responsibilities include leading PFMEAs, optimizing production layouts, and advancing Lean initiatives such as Kaizen and 5S. Strong CAD, cost modeling, and BOM management are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or Industrial Engineering or related field.
• 8+ years of manufacturing engineering experience with proven project leadership.
• Strong skills in Lean, PFMEA/DFMEA, and cost-improvement initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Lead cross-functional teams to implement process improvements and reduce waste.
• Mentor junior engineers and drive accountability and ownership.
• Deliver projects with measurable cost savings and efficiency gains.
• Lead PFMEAs and contribute to design reviews and lessons learned.

Skills

Welding

Metal fabrication

CAD SolidWorks

PFMEA/DFMEA

Lean manufacturing

Project management

Leadership

Process improvement

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or Industrial Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

Job description

What TAPCO has to offer you

• Quarterly Bonus Program
• 10 Paid Holidays
• Paid Vacation and Personal Time (starting day one)
• Four Weeks of Paid Parental Leave with no waiting period
• 401K Plan with Employer Match (fully vested on day one)
• Company-Funded Short-Term Disability
• Health, Vision, and Dental insurance
• Quarterly Company Events and Lunches
• Have a say in TAPCO Happenings by joining the Fun or Safety Committee

As a manufacturing Engineer III, you lead and own initiatives that drive measurable improvements in safety, quality, efficiency, and cost across manufacturing operations. This role combines technical expertise with leadership responsibilities, ensuring the successful delivery of impactful projects. The ideal candidate demonstrates a commitment to continuous improvement, delivers tangible ROI on projects.

Leadership and Ownership

• Lead cross-functional teams to implement process improvements, reduce waste, and enhance productivity.
• Mentor and develop junior engineers, fostering a culture of accountability and ownership.
• Drive the delivery of projects that result in measurable cost savings and operational efficiency gains.
• Lead PFMEAs. Contribute findings to Lessons Learned and design reviews to improve future designs.

Technical Expertise and Execution

• Design and implement advanced manufacturing processes, tooling, and equipment to optimize production workflows.
• Utilize CAD tools (e.g., SolidWorks) to develop and refine layouts, tooling, and prototypes. Heavy emphasis on utilizing CAD for models, layouts, and assemblies
• Lead Design for Manufacturability and product quality and able to investigate reduce costs.
• Create BOMs, engineering changes and deviations. Check the work of Engineers I-II and Designers.

Continuous Improvement

• Own the execution of Lean initiatives, including Kaizen events, 5S implementation, and value stream mapping.
• Conduct root cause analyses to identify and implement corrective actions for production issues.
• Work closely with NPD to oversee new products and manufacturing readiness.

Strategic Impact

• Analyze manufacturing data to identify trends and opportunities for improvement.
• Recommend and implement projects that deliver tangible ROI, including cost reductions and efficiency improvements.
• Partner with procurement and suppliers to ensure high-quality, cost-effective components align with company standards.

Required Experience and Knowledge/ Skills/ Ability

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related field.

Experience

• 8+ years of experience in a manufacturing engineering environment.
• Proven success in leading projects that deliver measurable improvements in cost, quality, or efficiency.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong expertise in manufacturing processes (e.g., welding, metal fabrication, assembly, process documentation, hydraulics, power tools, electrical systems, PLC is a plus).
• Proficient in CAD (SolidWorks preferred)
• Knowledge of Lean methodologies, including DFMEA/PFMEA, Kaizen, and 5S.
• Excellent problem-solving and project management skills.
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate effectively at all levels of the organization.
• Familiar with business software’s such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint
• Strong understanding of different management systems and resource planning platforms.
• Skilled in managing and analyzing routings, applying overhead rates (e.g., machine vs. labor), and ensuring accurate cost modeling to drive financial accountability.
• Proficient in coordinating Bills of Materials (BOMs), managing work order posting phases, and implementing pick/backflush strategies aligned with production layouts for optimal efficiency.

About Us

At TAPCO, we aim to enhance transportation and personal safety in our communities through innovative solutions and products. We are driven to save lives! Are you looking for a career where you can earn a great wage based on experience and performance, your contributions are recognized, and you will have growth potential? Then choose TAPCO!

As an EEO Employer, including veterans and Individuals with Disabilities, all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, veteran or disability status or other acceptable taglines in all printed employment advertisements.