Manufacturing Engineer: Process Optimization & Lean

Soap Creek Resources; South Charleston (WV); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Soap Creek Resources is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer—Advanced Manufacturing & Process Optimization to develop, implement, and continuously improve manufacturing methods across multiple plants and shifts, aligning with Lean principles and data‑driven decision making.

The role partners with Production Supervisors, Quality, Engineering, Maintenance, and Supply Chain to optimize flow, performance, and cost.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering or related field.
• Minimum 3 years of hands-on manufacturing or metals industry experience.
• Demonstrated experience in industrial engineering methods, project management, and manufacturing process development.
• Proficiency with SolidWorks or equivalent CAD/CAM packages; strong understanding and application of GD&T standards.
• Strong ability to communicate complex technical information to production teams, engineering colleagues, vendors, and customers.
• Advanced mechanical aptitude and strong quantitative skills, including applied statistics and data interpretation.
• High proficiency in Microsoft Office applications including Excel (advanced formulas, pivot tables, charts), PowerPoint, Word, and Project.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and refine robust manufacturing methods that support repeatability, standardization, and scalable production performance.
• Analyze existing workflows and equipment capabilities using structured tools such as time studies, method engineering, production simulations, and statistical process control (SPC).
• Own the creation, update, and lifecycle management of routings, work instructions, tooling specifications, and engineering blueprints to ensure accuracy, manufacturability, and alignment with customer specifications.
• Serve as the technical subject‑matter expert on process capability and control limits (Cp, Cpk, Pp, Ppk), using these metrics to drive quality improvements and evaluate incoming work packages.
• Lead structured problem‑solving efforts using tools such as fishbone diagrams, 5 Why analysis, FMEA, value stream mapping (VSM), job safety analysis (JSA), and 6S/5S methodologies.
• Identify bottlenecks, waste, and inefficiencies, and champion Kaizen events aligned to cycle time reduction, scrap elimination, throughput optimization, and operator ergonomics.
• Utilize discrete‑event simulation or digital manufacturing models to evaluate proposed process changes and validate improvements before implementation.
• Partner with production teams to build a culture of continuous improvement through coaching, training, and hands‑on guidance.
• Maintain and optimize routing structures, bills of materials (BOMs), labor standards, and capacity models within the company's ERP/MRP system to ensure accuracy of cost estimates and production planning.
• Analyze shop floor data to develop data‑backed improvement roadmaps and operational KPIs such as OEE, cycle time, yield, and labor efficiency.
• Develop financial justifications and ROI analyses for new equipment, automation initiatives, tooling upgrades, or layout changes.
• Utilize CAD/CAM software (SolidWorks or equivalent) to design and evaluate fixtures, tooling, and process aids that support efficient and repeatable manufacturing operations.
• Apply advanced GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing) to ensure manufacturability and maintain conformance in dimensional‑critical production environments.
• Engage with Maintenance and Equipment Engineering teams to improve equipment uptime, capability, and preventive/predictive maintenance processes.
• Contribute to plant layout optimization, material flow design, line balancing, and workstation ergonomics to support long‑term operational scaling.
• Provide plant‑floor technical guidance, operator training, and troubleshooting support to ensure processes are executed safely, correctly, and efficiently.
• Work across all three plants and multiple shifts to maintain a high level of engineering support for production, new program launches, and continuous improvement activities.
• Collaborate with Supply Chain, Quality, and outside vendors to resolve technical issues, qualify materials, improve manufacturability, and enhance supplier performance.

Skills

Lean Manufacturing

SPC & DoE

Time studies

CAD/CAM

Data analysis

Project management

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering or related field

Tools

SolidWorks

ERP/MRP systems

SAP

Job description

Soap Creek Resources is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer—Advanced Manufacturing & Process Optimization to develop, implement, and continuously improve manufacturing methods across multiple plants and shifts, aligning with Lean principles and data‑driven decision making.

The role partners with Production Supervisors, Quality, Engineering, Maintenance, and Supply Chain to optimize flow, performance, and cost.