Manufacturing Engineering Manager- Weld & Fabrication

Steel & O'Brien Manufacturing; Olde West Chester (OH); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Steel & O'Brien Manufacturing in Cincinnati, OH seeks a Manufacturing Engineering Manager – Weld & Fabrication to lead Engineering staff and drive welding and fabrication improvements across our sites.

This hands‑on leader will establish standard work, onboarding, training, documentation, and performance metrics focused on safety, quality, delivery, cost, and capacity, with about 25% travel. Experience with stainless‑steel welding and capital project coordination is a plus.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of progressive manufacturing engineering experience involving welding and/or metal fabrication.
• 3+ years of direct leadership experience, including onboarding, coaching, performance management, and employee development.
• Experience creating manufacturing processes, standards, work instructions, training, and performance measures.
• Strong knowledge of stainless‑steel welding and fabrication, tooling and fixture design, process validation, material flow, and production readiness.
• Knowledge of Lean, 5S, root‑cause analysis, PFMEA, capacity analysis, and process measurement.
• Strong leadership, communication, coaching, project‑management, and cross‑functional collaboration skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and applicable ERP, CAD, data‑analysis, and project‑management tools.
• Knowledge of applicable welding codes and standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and evaluate Manufacturing Engineers; set priorities and align with production goals.
• Standardize engineering processes and documentation, including layouts, routings, work instructions, tooling, fixtures, risk reviews, and change control.
• Develop 30-, 60-, and 90‑day onboarding plans, competency matrices, training, development plans, and succession readiness.
• Audit compliance, address process gaps, and track defects to identify improvement and retraining needs.
• Develop and improve stainless‑steel cutting, forming, fitting, tacking, welding, finishing, inspection, and material‑flow processes.
• Lead root‑cause analysis, corrective actions, Lean manufacturing, 5S, standard work, and visual management.

Skills

Leadership

Welding

Fabrication

Process Improvement

Lean & 5S

Project Management

Cross-functional Collaboration

Documentation

ERP / CAD tools

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing/Mechanical/Welding Engineering

Equivalent experience

Tools

ERP

CAD

Data Analysis

MS Excel

Job description

Manufacturing Engineering Manager- Weld & Fabrication

EOE Statement We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Description

Manufacturing Engineering Manager – Weld & Fabrication

Lead the Team. Standardize the Process. Elevate Performance.

Position Summary

We’re seeking an experienced Manufacturing Engineering Manager – Weld & Fabrication to lead Manufacturing Engineers and improve welding and fabrication processes across the organization, beginning with our Cincinnati locations.

This hands‑on leader will establish consistent engineering practices, onboarding, training, documentation, standard work, and performance metrics that improve safety, quality, delivery, cost, and capacity. The ideal candidate has strong stainless‑steel welding and fabrication experience and a proven ability to develop both people and processes.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership and Engineering Standards

• Serve as the network subject‑matter expert for machining, orbital welding, fabrication, and manual/TIG welding processes.
• Lead, coach, and evaluate Manufacturing Engineers while setting priorities and aligning work with production goals.
• Develop 30-, 60-, and 90‑day onboarding plans, competency matrices, training, development plans, and succession readiness.
• Standardize engineering processes and documentation, including layouts, routings, work instructions, tooling, fixtures, risk reviews, and change control.
• Audit compliance, address process gaps, and track defects to identify improvement and retraining needs.

Process Improvement and Training

• Develop and improve stainless‑steel cutting, forming, fitting, tacking, welding, finishing, inspection, and material‑flow processes.
• Design and validate tooling, fixtures, equipment settings, work cells, labor standards, and error‑proofing solutions.
• Support new product introductions, equipment installations, process transfers, capacity expansion, and production launches.
• Ensure new or revised processes include approved documentation, training, ownership, and employee understanding.
• Maintain shared engineering standards and promote knowledge transfer across sites, shifts, and teams.
• Lead root‑cause analysis, corrective actions, Lean manufacturing, 5S, standard work, and visual management.

Metrics, Projects, and Collaboration

• Track project delivery, training readiness, process capability, safety, quality, scrap, rework, throughput, cycle time, downtime, labor efficiency, and capacity.
• Define project scope, schedules, budgets, risks, resources, and success measures.
• Evaluate equipment, automation, tooling, and capital requests and coordinate installation, validation, and operational handoff.
• Partner with Operations, Quality, EHS, Maintenance, Training, and site leadership to ensure solutions are safe, practical, measurable, and sustainable.
• Communicate project status, performance trends, technical risks, and resource needs to leadership.
• Travel to company locations to coach engineers, support launches, resolve production issues, and implement consistent standards.
• Ensure compliance with safety regulations, welding requirements, customer specifications, and quality‑system controls.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing, Mechanical, Industrial, or Welding Engineering or a related field; equivalent experience may be considered.
• 7+ years of progressive manufacturing engineering experience involving welding and/or metal fabrication.
• 3+ years of direct leadership experience, including onboarding, coaching, performance management, and employee development.
• Experience creating manufacturing processes, standards, work instructions, training, and performance measures.
• Strong knowledge of stainless‑steel welding and fabrication, tooling and fixture design, process validation, material flow, and production readiness.
• Knowledge of Lean, 5S, root‑cause analysis, PFMEA, capacity analysis, and process measurement.
• Strong leadership, communication, coaching, project‑management, and cross‑functional collaboration skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and applicable ERP, CAD, data‑analysis, and project‑management tools.
• Knowledge of applicable welding codes and standards.

Preferred: Multi‑site, facility startup, process transfer, new product introduction, or major equipment launch experience; experience in sanitary, food and beverage, pharmaceutical, or regulated manufacturing; CWI, Lean/Six Sigma, or project‑management certification.

Culture

We value respectful communication, accountability, employee development, confidentiality, and continuous improvement. Leaders are expected to demonstrate Integrity, Trust, Creativity and Courage, Teamwork, and Excellence.

Working Conditions and Travel

• Regular presence in a fast‑paced manufacturing environment with exposure to welding, production equipment, noise, and varying temperatures.
• Extended standing, walking, sitting, and computer use; occasional lifting up to 35 pounds.
• Required PPE must be worn.
• Approximately 25% travel, including occasional overnight travel and additional travel during launches or urgent projects.
• Regular attendance and flexibility to support multiple locations and shifts are required.

Accommodations

Essential functions of this position may include, but are not limited to, lifting, reaching, bending, stooping, twisting, kneeling, crouching, carrying objects, ascending or descending stairs, traveling, and commuting to assigned work locations. If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation to perform the essential job functions under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or other applicable state or federal law, you may request an accommodation below.

Accommodation requested:

Position Requirements

Full‑Time/Part‑Time Full‑Time

Shift First

Position Manufacturing Engineering Manager- Weld & Fabrication

Division Steel & O'Brien Manufacturing

Exempt/Non‑Exempt Exempt

Location Cincinnati DCC

This position is currently accepting applications.