Manufacturing Engineer – Precision Gear & Lean Excellence

Rust Belt Recruiting; Cleveland (OH); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Rust Belt Recruiting is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer to join our client’s team on the 1st shift, located in a combined office and precision manufacturing facility. You will design, optimize, and document robust processes and tooling for precision gearing and drive components, acting as the technical authority on the floor.

You will lead method improvements, routings, tooling designs, NC/CNC programming, and qualification of gauging, while ensuring ISO‑9000/TS‑16949 and Six Sigma compliance.

Qualifications

• BS in mechanical/manufacturing engineering or equivalent hands-on experience.
• 5–10 years in precision machining, gearing, or heavy industrial equipment manufacturing.
• Proficiency in NC and CNC programming for precision machine tools.
• Hands-on capability in tooling, fixtures, and specialized gauging.
• Knowledge of Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and process cost reduction.
• Understanding of ISO-9000, TS-16949, and Six Sigma in quality systems.
• Ability to analyze technical data to solve complex manufacturing problems.
• Collaborate across cross-functional engineering, quality, and shop-floor teams.
• Self-motivated with shop-floor engagement and team development.

Responsibilities

• Develop, evaluate, and optimize manufacturing methods to maximize production efficiency.
• Create and maintain routings and sequence-of-operation sheets aligned with engineering drawings.
• Design and specify tooling, workholding, and fixtures for gear machining and assembly.
• Generate and manage NC/CNC programs and operator process sheets.
• Specify inspection frequencies and design custom gauging for dimensional tolerances.
• Serve as primary technical liaison on the shop floor to troubleshoot machining and assembly challenges.
• Identify root causes and implement corrective actions to prevent defects and delays.
• Apply DFM principles to new and existing designs to minimize production costs.
• Lead lean initiatives to decrease cycle times and scrap.
• Maintain compliance with ISO-9000, TS-16949, and Six Sigma procedures.
• Train and mentor shop operators and technical staff to strengthen capabilities.

Skills

NC/CNC programming

Tooling design

DFM knowledge

Quality systems understanding

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical/Manufacturing Engineering

Tools

Gauging design tools

Job description

Rust Belt Recruiting is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer to join our client’s team on the 1st shift, located in a combined office and precision manufacturing facility. You will design, optimize, and document robust processes and tooling for precision gearing and drive components, acting as the technical authority on the floor.

You will lead method improvements, routings, tooling designs, NC/CNC programming, and qualification of gauging, while ensuring ISO‑9000/TS‑16949 and Six Sigma compliance.