Manufacturing Engineer – Lean & Process Improvement

IFABCORP; Gastonia (NC); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Comprehensive benefits

Growth opportunities

Job summary

IFAB Corp in Gastonia, NC is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer to own and optimize manufacturing processes for stamping, welding, CNC machining, and assembly on-site. You will design, document, and continuously improve fabrication and assembly methods to ensure standard production with predictable cycle times, yield, and costs.

The role emphasizes hands-on shop-floor engagement, with responsibilities spanning process documentation, tooling, lean manufacturing, quality problem-solving, and ECO

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing, Mechanical, Industrial, or Welding Engineering (or an Associate degree combined with 6+ years of hands-on manufacturing engineering experience).
• 3+ years of manufacturing engineering experience in metal fabrication, stamping, welding, CNC machining, or assembly.
• Strong proficiency interpreting blueprints, GD&T, and welding symbols.
• Proficiency in 3D CAD software (SolidWorks, Inventor, or AutoCAD).
• Hands-on experience working with ERP systems (routings, work centers, BOMs).
• Structured problem-solving discipline (8D, 5-Why, Fishbone).

Responsibilities

• Process Engineering & Documentation: Develop and maintain manufacturing routings, operation sequences, standard times, and Bills of Materials (BOMs) within our ERP environment (Sage 500). Author and control work instructions, setup sheets, and visual standards.
• Tooling & Fixturing: Design fixturing and workholding using 3D CAD (SolidWorks/AutoCAD), coordinate build or purchase, and validate capability through first-article runs.
• Process Optimization & Productivity: Identify and eliminate key cost drivers, reduce setup times (SMED), implement Lean Manufacturing techniques, and improve overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).
• Quality & Root-Cause Problem Solving: Lead process-side root-cause analysis (8D, 5-Why, Fishbone) to reduce scrap and rework. Support APQP/PPAP deliverables (PFMEA, Control Plans, Run-at-Rate).
• NPI & Engineering Changes (ECO): Provide Design for Manufacturability (DFM) feedback on new parts and execute engineering changes smoothly on the production floor without operational disruptions.
• Safety & Compliance: Ensure processes, guarding, ergonomics, and material handling meet plant safety standards and satisfy ISO 9001 / IATF 16949 audit requirements.

Skills

Blueprints & GD&T

Welding symbols

3D CAD software

ERP systems

Root-cause analysis

Shop-floor presence

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing/Mechanical/Industrial/Welding Engineering

Associate degree + 6+ years hands-on experience

Tools

Sage 500

Job description

IFAB Corp in Gastonia, NC is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer to own and optimize manufacturing processes for stamping, welding, CNC machining, and assembly on-site. You will design, document, and continuously improve fabrication and assembly methods to ensure standard production with predictable cycle times, yield, and costs.

The role emphasizes hands-on shop-floor engagement, with responsibilities spanning process documentation, tooling, lean manufacturing, quality problem-solving, and ECO