Manufacturing Engineer - Jerome Ave

ASTEC; Chattanooga (TN); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Atec in Chattanooga, TN is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer focused on waste reduction, safety, quality, productivity and cost through structured lean methodologies. The role partners with manufacturing, engineering, quality, OpEx, PMO and safety teams to improve processes.

You will drive DFM and VAVE initiatives, lead capital projects, develop solutions that boost operational performance, support new product introductions, and manage project execution from kickoff to handoff while maintaining

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in industrial, manufacturing, mechanical engineering or related field.
• Minimum of 3 years of manufacturing experience with heavy machinery.
• Experience leading automation and robotics projects preferred.
• Knowledge of LEAN methods used in manufacturing processes.
• Knowledge of engineering drawings and ability to read symbols and layouts.

Responsibilities

• Identify and implement safety, quality, productivity, and cost improvements using lean tools.
• Lead cross-functional events to eliminate waste, improve material flow, and optimize workforce utilization, space, and equipment usage.
• Develop and maintain standard work, process documentation, and visual controls to ensure sustainable process improvements.
• Drive continuous improvement activities aligned with plant KPIs and operational priorities.
• Collaborate with design engineering and manufacturing to provide Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and Value Analysis / Value Engineering (VAVE) improvements.
• Support new product introductions through process planning and production readiness.
• Lead capital equipment projects, including scope definition, vendor evaluation, budgeting, and timeline management.
• Prepare and present business cases with ROI, payback, and risk assessments.
• Lead project execution from kickoff through installation and operational handoff.
• Develop equipment concepts, specifications, and vendor RFQs.
• Lead FAT/SAT, installation, validation, and integration.
• Works with manufacturing to analyze and plan work force utilization, space requirements, material routing and handling methods, manufacturing processes and methods, machine and tool design applications, workflow and new technology and designs layout of equipment and workspace for maximum efficiency, safety and quality.
• Estimates production times, capacity requirements and related costs to provide information for management decisions and to meet completion dates and technical specifications.
• Applies statistical methods to estimate future manufacturing requirements and potential.
• Support the transition of new product introductions from engineering to manufacturing, including capacity analysis, process robustness and process validations.
• Develops and maintains the manufacturing process work instructions and assembly tooling that are initiated by product design or method improvement changes.
• Specify new equipment and design required fixtures, jigs and tooling needed to meet production and quality requirements.
• Prepares and makes presentations to individuals and groups using Microsoft Office applications.
• Follows company policies and procedures at all times.
• Follows proper safety rules and procedures at all times.
• Performs special projects other duties as assigned.

Skills

Lean manufacturing

Manufacturing engineering

Automation projects

Robotics projects

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in industrial, manufacturing, mechanical engineering or related field

Tools

Nesting software

Job description

BUILT TO CONNECT

At Astec, we believe in the power of connection and the importance of building long-lasting relationships with our employees, customers and the communities we call home. With a team more than 4,000 strong, our employees are our #1 advantage. We invest in skills training and provide opportunities for career development to help you grow along with the business. We offer programs that support physical safety, as well as benefits and resources to enhance total health and wellbeing, so you can be your best at work and at home.

BUILT TO CONNECT

At Astec, we believe in the power of connection and the importance of building long-lasting relationships with our employees, customers and the communities we call home. With a team more than 4,000 strong, our employees are our #1 advantage. We invest in skills training and provide opportunities for career development to help you grow along with the business. We offer programs that support physical safety, as well as benefits and resources to enhance total health and wellbeing, so you can be your best at work and at home.

Our equipment is used to build the roads and infrastructure that connects us to each other and to the goods and services we use. We are an industry leader known for delivering innovative solutions that create value for our customers. As our industry evolves, we are using new technology and data like never before.

We’re looking for creative problem solvers to build the future with us. Connect with us today and build your career at Astec.

LOCATION:

About The Position

Primary Process Owner focused on identifying waste, improving safety, quality, productivity, and cost through structured lean methodologies. The role partners closely with manufacturing, engineering, quality, OpEx, PMO and safety teams to develop efficient, repeatable, and reliable manufacturing processes. The Manufacturing Engineer also drives DFM and VAVE initiatives, leads capital projects, and develops solutions that enhance operational performance and long‑term competitiveness.

Deliverables & Responsibilities

• Identify and implement safety, quality, productivity, and cost improvement opportunities using lean tools such as 5S, Kaizen, process and value‑stream mapping, and time studies.
• Lead cross‑functional events to eliminate waste, improve material flow, and optimize workforce utilization, space, and equipment usage.
• Develop and maintain standard work, process documentation, and visual controls to ensure sustainable process improvements.
• Drive continuous improvement activities aligned with plant KPIs and operational priorities.
• Collaborate with design engineering and manufacturing to provide Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and Value Analysis / Value Engineering (VAVE) improvements.
• Support new product introductions through process planning and production readiness.
• Lead capital equipment projects, including scope definition, vendor evaluation, budgeting, and timeline management.
• Prepare and present business cases with ROI, payback, and risk assessments.
• Lead project execution from kickoff through installation and operational handoff.
• Develop equipment concepts, specifications, and vendor RFQs.
• Lead FAT/SAT, installation, validation, and integration.
• Works with manufacturing to analyze and plan work force utilization, space requirements, material routing and handling methods, manufacturing processes and methods, machine and tool design applications, workflow and new technology and designs layout of equipment and workspace for maximum efficiency, safety and quality.
• Estimates production times, capacity requirements and related costs to provide information for management decisions and to meet completion dates and technical specifications.
• Applies statistical methods to estimate future manufacturing requirements and potential.
• Support the transition of new product introductions from engineering to manufacturing, including capacity analysis, process robustness and process validations.
• Develops and maintains the manufacturing process work instructions and assembly tooling that are initiated by product design or method improvement changes.
• Specify new equipment and design required fixtures, jigs and tooling needed to meet production and quality requirements.
• Prepares and makes presentations to individuals and groups using Microsoft Office applications.
• Follows company policies and procedures at all times.
• Follows proper safety rules and procedures at all times.
• Performs special projects other duties as assigned.

To be successful in this role, your experience and competencies are:

• Bachelor’s degree in industrial, manufacturing, mechanical engineering or related field required.
• Minimum of three (3) years related work experience in a manufacturing environment required with a demonstrated understanding of heavy machinery manufacturing processes.
• Experience leading automation and robotics projects preferred.
• Knowledge of LEAN methods used in manufacturing processes required.
• Knowledge of all types of metal‑cutting processes, to include punch, plasma, and flame cutting preferred.
• Knowledge of engineering/manufacturing system of symbols, legends, shading and lines required and skill reading engineering drawings required.
• Knowledge and understanding of nesting software for material optimization preferred.
• Must be able to collaborate and facilitate cross functional teams to influence and manage change in a heavy manufacturing, multi‑shift work environment.
• Must be able to meet regular attendance requirements.

Supervisor and Leadership Expectations

• Does this role have supervisory or managerial responsibilities?
• Does this role have budgetary or program management responsibilities? (must state if manager and above title with no direct reports).

Our Culture and Values

Employees that become part of Astec embody the values below throughout their work.

• Continuous devotion to meeting the needs of our customers
• Honesty and integrity in all aspects of business
• Respect for all individuals
• Preserving entrepreneurial spirit and innovation
• Safety, quality and productivity as means to ensure success

Travel Requirements:

10% of travel, regional, international

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Manufacturing Environment

Shop manufacturing environment exposures include exposure to moving mechanical parts, machinery, tools and equipment, vibration, fumes or airborne particles, motorized vehicles, welding and machining operations, outside weather conditions and exposure to the risk of electric shock. The employee may occasionally be exposed to varying levels of dirt, dust, toxic or caustic chemicals, very warm and/or very chilly temperatures. The noise level in the shop can be very loud at times consistent with an industrial assembly facility and may require hearing protection. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Astec does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, gender (sex), sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, citizenship status, a person’s veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law or executive order.