Manufacturing Engineer-Shop Floor Focus

Socket.dev; Muskegon (MI); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Baker Engineering, LLC is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer to support new job launches and continuously improve production processes. You will work closely with Manufacturing, CNC programming, Quality and Production teams on the shop floor to turn improvements into standard work.

The role emphasizes practical problem solving, process development, and on-site collaboration to reduce scrap, cycle time and improve workflow consistent with defense-manufacturing standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent hands-on experience in manufacturing.
• Experience supporting machining, fabrication or assembly environments; CNC experience preferred.
• Ability to observe processes, identify improvements, and implement practical solutions.
• Understanding of tooling, workholding, drawings, tolerances and GD&T.
• Clear communication with production teams, leadership, suppliers and customers.
• Ability to manage priorities and document changes for ongoing improvements.
• Eligibility to meet ITAR/EAR requirements for defense manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Support new part launches from quote to stable production and plan process flow.
• Provide shop-floor support with machinists, CNC programmers, and quality staff.
• Develop practical manufacturing methods, sequences, and standard work.
• Maintain setup and process documentation, tooling data, and routers.
• Assist with fixture concepts, tool selection, and coordination for design support.
• Identify cycle-time reductions and productivity improvements on the floor.
• Participate in root-cause investigations for scrap, defects, and variation.
• Lead continuous improvement projects (5S, cell layout, material movement).
• Transfer knowledge on critical setup, tooling, quality and safety requirements.

Skills

Practical problem solving

Technical knowledge

Communication

Organization

ITAR/EAR compliance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing, Mechanical, Industrial (or related field)

Equivalent hands-on technical experience

Tools

Mastercam

CAD

Lean/5S

Job description

Company Overview

Baker Engineering, LLC’s (Baker) core business centers around the design and development of high-tech, high-performance technologies for a variety of applications, from custom military and commercial engines, to engine components, to the production of parts and mechanical assemblies for other industries. Baker is a division of Waséyabek Development Company, LLC that is wholly owned by the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi, a Federally recognized Indian Tribe.

Role Overview

The Manufacturing Engineer is a hands-on, shop-floor-focused role responsible for supporting new job launches and improving existing production processes. This position works closely with Manufacturing, CNC Programming, Quality, and Production employees to develop practical and repeatable processes, solve day-to-day manufacturing problems, reduce scrap and cycle time, and improve workflow. The Manufacturing Engineer will spend significant time on the production floor observing processes, supporting operators, and turning improvement opportunities into clear actions and standard work.

Core Responsibilities

• New Job Launches: Support new parts from quote or prototype through stable production by planning process flow, identifying tooling and fixture needs, and confirming readiness.
• Shop-Floor Support: Work directly with machinists, CNC programmers, supervisors, and quality personnel to troubleshoot production issues and keep work moving.
• Process Development: Establish practical manufacturing methods, operation sequences, inspection points, material flow, and standard work for new and existing jobs.
• Process Documentation: Maintain setup instructions, work instructions, tooling information, process sheets, routers, and other production documents.
• Tooling and Fixture Support: Assist with fixture concepts, workholding improvements, cutting-tool selection, and coordination with internal or outside resources when detailed design support is required.
• Cycle-Time and Productivity Improvement: Identify delays and unnecessary steps, then implement improvements that increase output using existing people and equipment.
• Scrap and Quality Improvement: Participate in root-cause investigations and corrective actions for scrap, rework, recurring defects, and process variation.
• Continuous Improvement: Lead or support practical improvement projects involving 5S, workstation organization, cell layout, material movement, visual controls, and workflow.
• Training and Process Transfer: Help the production team understand critical setup, tooling, quality, and safety requirements for new or revised processes.
• Cross-Functional Support: Assist with feasibility reviews, capacity planning, quoting input, equipment needs, and engineering priorities that support delivery, quality, and growth.

Required Qualifications

• Education and Experience: Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing, Mechanical, Industrial, or a related field; equivalent hands‑on technical experience will be considered.
• Manufacturing Background: Experience supporting machining, fabrication, assembly, or another manufacturing environment. CNC experience is strongly preferred.
• Practical Problem Solving: Able to observe a process, work with employees closest to the job, identify likely causes, and develop practical improvements.
• Technical Knowledge: Working understanding of manufacturing processes, tooling, workholding, drawings, tolerances, and basic GD&T.
• Communication: Able to communicate clearly with production employees, leadership, suppliers, and customers as needed.
• Organization: Able to manage priorities, document changes, complete assigned actions, and balance production support with long-term improvements.
• Eligibility: Must meet applicable ITAR/EAR compliance requirements for work performed in a defense‑manufacturing environment.
• Preferred Experience: Familiarity with CNC milling or turning, Mastercam or other CAM software, CAD, Lean/5S, root-cause analysis, AS9100, ISO 9001, or first-article inspection is beneficial. This is not the primary CNC programming role.

DISCLAIMER

This job description indicates in general the nature and levels of work, knowledge, skills, abilities and other essential functions (as covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act) expected of an incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of an incumbent. An incumbent may be asked to perform other duties as required.

Native American & Veteran Hiring Preferences will be applied in accordance with Waséyabek Development Company policy. We are committed to making merit‑based hiring decisions. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, citizenship, marital status, height or weight, veteran status, or any other legally protected category.