Manufacturing Engineer – Rockford Area

The Pivot Group Careers; Rockford (MI); On-site; USD 73,000 - 112,000; Full time

Job summary

The Pivot Group Network is seeking Manufacturing Engineers for opportunities in Rockford, MI. Partners in the Rockford area are looking for engineers who can support lean initiatives, process improvements, and production support across multiple facilities.

Ideal candidates have 3+ years in manufacturing engineering, CAD/insight, and strong communication to collaborate with supervisors and operators. Compensation ranges from $73k to $112k plus benefits, with a focus on long-term fit and growth.

Qualifications

• Three or more years of hands-on manufacturing engineering experience in a production environment.
• Working knowledge of lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement methods.
• Experience with CAD software and reading engineering drawings.
• Familiarity with root cause analysis and corrective action processes.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for cross functional work.
• Bachelor's degree in manufacturing, industrial, or mechanical engineering.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate equipment installation, validation, and startup with maintenance and vendors.
• Support continuous improvement projects using lean tools such as 5S, kaizen, and value stream mapping.
• Provide engineering support to production supervisors and operators during daily operations.
• Evaluate production processes and identify opportunities to reduce waste and improve throughput.
• Design or revise fixtures, tooling, and workstation layouts to support production needs.
• Develop and maintain process documentation, work instructions, and standard operating procedures.
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective actions for production issues and quality escapes.
• Run time studies and capacity analysis to support line balancing and staffing decisions.

Skills

Lean manufacturing

Root cause analysis

Six Sigma

Strong communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in manufacturing, industrial, or mechanical engineering

Tools

CAD software

SolidWorks

AutoCAD

Job description

Job Description:

Manufacturing Engineer | Rockford, MI

Salary Range: $73,000 – $112,000 depending on experience

Are you ready to take on a challenging and rewarding opportunity in manufacturing engineering? The Pivot Group Network, a Michigan manufacturing-focused recruiting group, is committed to building meaningful connections in manufacturing. We partner with leading companies in the Rockford area seeking Manufacturing Engineers.

We are building our network of talent in this field across Michigan’s manufacturing regions. Our partner companies may or may not have an immediate opening for this exact role today, but we actively look for skilled professionals in the regions where they operate. If there is alignment now or in the near future, we reach out.

This posting covers Manufacturing Engineer opportunities with manufacturers based in and around Rockford in Kent County, within about 30 minutes of the city, including Greenville, Belding, Sparta, and Cedar Springs.

The Opportunity

We collaborate with multiple companies in the Rockford area seeking experienced Manufacturing Engineers. These organizations value long-term fit and look for professionals who bring both skill and alignment. By joining our network, you gain access to opportunities tailored to your goals.

Usual Responsibilities

• Coordinate equipment installation, validation, and startup with maintenance and vendors.
• Support continuous improvement projects using lean tools such as 5S, kaizen, and value stream mapping.
• Provide engineering support to production supervisors and operators during daily operations.
• Evaluate production processes and identify opportunities to reduce waste and improve throughput.
• Design or revise fixtures, tooling, and workstation layouts to support production needs.
• Develop and maintain process documentation, work instructions, and standard operating procedures.
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective actions for production issues and quality escapes.
• Run time studies and capacity analysis to support line balancing and staffing decisions.

Recommended Qualifications

• Three or more years of hands-on manufacturing engineering experience in a production environment.
• Working knowledge of lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement methods.
• Experience with CAD software and reading engineering drawings.
• Familiarity with root cause analysis and corrective action processes.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for cross functional work.
• Bachelor's degree in manufacturing, industrial, or mechanical engineering.

Bonus Qualifications

• Experience with ERP or MES systems in a production setting.
• Background in machining, welding, or metal fabrication processes.
• Experience with automated assembly or robotics integration.
• Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.
• Knowledge of ISO 9001 or IATF 16949 quality systems.

Job Titles That Should Apply

Lean Manufacturing Engineer, Manufacturing Systems Engineer, Operations Engineer, Methods Engineer, Tooling Engineer, Process Engineer, Industrial Engineer, Production Engineer, Continuous Improvement Engineer

Work Authorization

Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. without current or future visa sponsorship. Visa sponsorship is not available.

Why The Pivot Group Network

The Pivot Group Network was founded by manufacturing professionals who've been on both sides of the hiring process. Our clients are strategic – they partner with us because they want real insight into their roles and the people filling them, not a stack of resumes. We focus on match-driven placements built around what actually matters: Commute, Compensation, Culture, and Career trajectory. Learn more at https://www.thepivotgroup.org.

Required Skills:

Resume 5S Offers Kaizen Lean Six Sigma Support Lean Manufacturing Root Cause Analysis Six Sigma ROOT Waste Analysis Salary Hiring Partnerships Corrective Actions SolidWorks Recruiting Compensation Validation Continuous Improvement R Manufacturing Automation AutoCAD Preparation Software Design Engineering Project Management Management

Salary Package:

$ 73,000.00 – 112,000.00 (US Dollar)