Manufacturing Engineer - Robotics and Automation

Acuity; Crawfordsville (IN); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Acuity Manufacturing seeks a hands-on Manufacturing Engineer to drive process optimization, Lean manufacturing, automation, and continuous improvement in a fast-paced production environment. You will partner with cross-functional teams to design, improve, automate, and sustain efficient processes, support NPI, and ensure quality, productivity, and safety through data-driven decisions.

Strong SolidWorks skills and experience with robotics and automation are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or Engineering Technology.
• 2-5 years of experience in a manufacturing engineering, process engineering, industrial engineering, automation engineering, or continuous improvement role within a manufacturing environment.
• Hands-on experience with industrial automation and robotic systems, including implementation, integration, troubleshooting, or process optimization in a manufacturing environment.
• Intermediate proficiency in SolidWorks, including the ability to interpret and modify 3D models, manufacturing components, tooling, or fixtures.
• Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, 5S, Continuous Improvement, and Root Cause Analysis methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Develop, improve, and sustain manufacturing processes to increase productivity, quality, and operational efficiency.
• Lead and facilitate Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, and continuous improvement initiatives to eliminate waste and optimize production flow.
• Identify and implement opportunities for industrial automation and robotics to improve manufacturing efficiency, reduce manual operations, and enhance process reliability.
• Support the implementation, integration, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement of automated manufacturing equipment and robotic systems.
• Analyze production data, identify process improvements, and implement corrective actions to improve manufacturing performance.
• Support production by troubleshooting manufacturing processes, automated equipment, and tooling issues while collaborating with Quality, Operations, Engineering, and Automation teams.
• Design and optimize manufacturing cells, production layouts, tooling, and material flow to improve throughput and efficiency.
• Utilize SolidWorks to support manufacturing layouts, tooling modifications, fixture design, and process improvement projects.
• Participate in new product introductions (NPI) by ensuring manufacturability and supporting process validation activities.
• Train production personnel on Lean principles, standardized work, automation processes, and manufacturing best practices.
• Research, evaluate, and implement new manufacturing technologies, automation solutions, robotic applications, and industry best practices.

Skills

Lean Manufacturing

Kaizen

5S

Root Cause Analysis

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering (or related)

Tools

SolidWorks

ERP

Microsoft Office

Automation systems

Job description

The Manufacturing Engineer is responsible for driving manufacturing excellence through process optimization, Lean Manufacturing, industrial automation, robotics, and continuous improvement initiatives. This role partners with cross-functional teams to design, improve, automate, and sustain efficient manufacturing processes while supporting production, new product introductions, and operational performance.

The ideal candidate has hands‑on manufacturing engineering experience, practical knowledge of industrial automation and robotic systems, intermediate proficiency in SolidWorks, strong analytical skills, and a passion for improving quality, productivity, and safety within a production environment.

Main Responsibilities

• Develop, improve, and sustain manufacturing processes to increase productivity, quality, and operational efficiency.
• Lead and facilitate Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, and continuous improvement initiatives to eliminate waste and optimize production flow.
• Identify and implement opportunities for industrial automation and robotics to improve manufacturing efficiency, reduce manual operations, and enhance process reliability.
• Support the implementation, integration, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement of automated manufacturing equipment and robotic systems.
• Analyze production data, identify process improvements, and implement corrective actions to improve manufacturing performance.
• Support production by troubleshooting manufacturing processes, automated equipment, and tooling issues while collaborating with Quality, Operations, Engineering, and Automation teams.
• Design and optimize manufacturing cells, production layouts, tooling, and material flow to improve throughput and efficiency.
• Utilize SolidWorks to support manufacturing layouts, tooling modifications, fixture design, and process improvement projects.
• Participate in new product introductions (NPI) by ensuring manufacturability and supporting process validation activities.
• Train production personnel on Lean principles, standardized work, automation processes, and manufacturing best practices.
• Research, evaluate, and implement new manufacturing technologies, automation solutions, robotic applications, and industry best practices.
• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or Engineering Technology.
• 2-5 years of experience in a manufacturing engineering, process engineering, industrial engineering, automation engineering, or continuous improvement role within a manufacturing environment.
• Hands-on experience with industrial automation and robotic systems, including implementation, integration, troubleshooting, or process optimization in a manufacturing environment.
• Intermediate proficiency in SolidWorks, including the ability to interpret and modify 3D models, manufacturing components, tooling, or fixtures.
• Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, 5S, Continuous Improvement, and Root Cause Analysis methodologies.
• Experience with manufacturing process optimization, production support, Lean Cell Design, and process troubleshooting.
• Familiarity with automated manufacturing equipment, robotic applications, and manufacturing process integration.
• Knowledge of Design for Manufacturability (DFM), FMEA/PFMEA, Process Control, and statistical analysis.
• Experience working with cross-functional teams supporting production, quality, automation projects, and new product implementation.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and manufacturing systems (ERP experience is a plus).
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.

Travel Requirements

• Ability to travel up to 20% as required to support manufacturing operations, automation and robotics implementation, equipment installation, training, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• This position requires relocation to this location or near. 100% on site role