Manufacturing Engineering Technician

Gleason Corporation; Loves Park (IL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Gleason Corporation is seeking a Manufacturing Engineering Technician to bridge shop-floor production with digital automation. You will refine machining processes, generate G-Code programs, and support workholding design using Creo.

The role emphasizes hands-on CNC programming, fixture design, data tracking of cycle times and downtime, and participation in lean initiatives to improve efficiency. Responsibilities include programming for multi-axis machines, selecting tooling and fixtures,

Qualifications

• 2+ years of hands-on CNC setup, operation, and programming.
• Associate degree in Manufacturing Engineering or related field preferred; high school diploma acceptable with experience.
• Familiar with CAM software and CAD modeling; GD&T understanding.

Responsibilities

• Write and optimize multi-axis CNC programs for mills, lathes, and grinders.
• Select tooling, workholding, speeds, and feeds.
• Perform digital simulations and dry runs to prevent crashes.
• Create process routings and support quotes with margins.
• Communicate with manufacturing and sales to ensure quality.
• Track cycle times, scrap, and downtime for continuous improvement.

Skills

CAM software

CAD modeling

GD&T

CNC setup

Education

Associate degree in Manufacturing Engineering or related

High school diploma or GED required

Tools

Creo NC

Fusion 360

Esprit

Job description

Position Summary

The Manufacturing Engineering Technician bridges the gap between physical shop-floor production, digital automation, and manufacturing engineering. This role optimizes manufacturing workflows by combining hands-on CNC programming and fixture design. You will refine machining processes, generate G-Code CNC programs, support workholding operations through routings and processing, and solve real-time production challenges.

Key Responsibilities

• CNC Programming Generate G-Code: Write and optimize multi-axis programs using CAD/CAM software for CNC mills, lathes, and grinding equipment.
• Select Tooling: Specify optimal cutting tools, workholding fixtures, speeds, and feeds for a variety of raw materials.
• Prove Out: Perform digital simulations and dry runs to prevent machine crashes.
• Workholding Product Support Order Processing: Generate manufacturing process routings to ensure cost-effective, high-quality precision components.
• Quotations: Create product quotations with target margin for sales/customer inquiries.
• Customer Oriented: Communicate with manufacturing, customers and sales team to maintain high customer satisfaction.
• Manufacturing Engineering Support Troubleshoot: Resolve production bottlenecks, part defects, or machine alarms.
• Design: Create 3-D models and production drawings for workholding components, jigs, and templates using Creo CAD software.
• Analyze Data: Track cycle times, scrap rates, and equipment downtime to improve efficiency.
• Automation: Gradually assist senior team members in automating routine file management or data collection as skills grow.
• Lean Manufacturing: Participate on continuous improvement initiatives and kaizen teams, apply lean techniques of problem solving including; PDCA, Five-Whys, Fish Bone Diagrams, Pareto Charts, Gemba, Poka-Yoke, 6S, TPM, OEE, VSM, etc.
• Tooling: Work with tooling vendors to identify opportunities for testing and machining efficiency improvement opportunities.

Qualifications & Skills

• Technical Requirements CAM Software: Familiarity with Esprit, Fusion 360, Creo NC, or similar platforms.
• CAD Modeling: PTC Creo experience or similar solid-model CAD software for designing and detailing mechanical elements for machine components.
• Blueprint Reading: Understanding of engineering drawings and geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T).
• Experience & Education Experience: 2+ years of hands-on CNC setup, operation, and programming experience.
• Education: Associate's degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Manufacturing Technology, or a related technical discipline preferred; equivalent combination of hands-on machining experience and education will be considered. High school diploma or GED required.