Manufacturing Engineering Technician

TES Recruiting; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

TES Recruiting is seeking a Manufacturing Engineering Technician to support production on the floor, troubleshoot machine and process issues, and drive sustainable improvements. You will collaborate with Operators, Maintenance, Quality, Safety, and Engineering to identify root causes and implement fixes that improve uptime and product quality.

The role emphasizes hands-on problem solving, data-driven decisions, and clear communication while leading improvement projects from definition to

Qualifications

• Experience in manufacturing with machine operation, equipment troubleshooting, or production support.
• Ability to analyze data and observe processes to drive improvements.
• Strong communication across production, technical, and leadership groups.
• Comfortable working on the factory floor and with cross-functional teams.
• Background check and drug screening required.

Responsibilities

• Spend significant time on the floor observing equipment, processes, and operator concerns.
• Troubleshoot problems involving machine setup, process variation, tooling, electronics, automation, or controls.
• Use root-cause analysis and data to identify actual causes of problems.
• Work with operators and supervisors to improve operation, throughput, and quality.
• Partner with Maintenance, Quality, Safety, and Engineering on improvements.
• Lead improvement projects from problem definition through testing and implementation.
• Design or support fixtures, tooling, layouts, and other production improvements.
• Track results using downtime, scrap, rework, cycle time, throughput, and first-pass yield.
• Create and maintain SOPs, work instructions, and training materials.
• Establish sustainable process and equipment improvements over temporary fixes.
• Communicate progress, risks, and next steps clearly while managing priorities.

Skills

Mechanical aptitude

Troubleshooting

Root-cause analysis

Data-driven decisions

Cross-functional collaboration

Independent working

Tools

SolidWorks

AutoCAD

Job description

The Manufacturing Engineering Technician supports production by finding and correcting equipment and process problems when machines are running but are not consistently producing good parts.

This is a hands-on role with significant time on the manufacturing floor. The MET works closely with operators, Maintenance, Quality, Safety, supervisors, and Engineering to identify the cause of production issues, improve equipment and processes, and help sustain the solution.

This role is focused on production and process improvement. It is not a traditional breakdown-maintenance or millwright position, although the MET must be comfortable troubleshooting mechanical, electrical, and automated equipment and partnering with Maintenance when repairs are required.

Key Responsibilities

• Spend significant time on the manufacturing floor observing equipment, processes, and operator concerns.
• Troubleshoot production problems involving machine setup, process variation, tooling, mechanical systems, electrical systems, automation, or controls.
• Use root-cause analysis, structured problem-solving, data, and hands-on observation to identify the actual cause of problems.
• Work with operators and supervisors to improve machine operation, process consistency, quality, throughput, and equipment performance.
• Partner with Maintenance, Quality, Safety, and Engineering on corrective actions and equipment improvements.
• Lead improvement projects from problem definition through testing, implementation, standardization, and follow-up.
• Design or support the design and implementation of fixtures, tooling, layouts, and other production improvements.
• Track results using practical measures such as downtime, scrap, rework, cycle time, throughput, or first-pass yield.
• Create and maintain SOPs, work instructions, best practices, and training materials.
• Help establish sustainable process and equipment improvements rather than temporary fixes.
• Manage multiple priorities while communicating progress, risks, and next steps clearly.
• Follow safe work practices and elevate unsafe equipment or conditions.

Requirements

• At least three years of experience in a manufacturing environment involving machine operation, equipment troubleshooting, process troubleshooting, or production support.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and the ability to understand and troubleshoot industrial equipment.
• Practical exposure to electrical, controls, automation, or machine fault diagnosis.
• Experience taking a manufacturing or continuous-improvement problem through implementation.
• Ability to work directly with operators and Maintenance personnel and gain support for changes.
• Ability to use production data and hands-on observation to make decisions.
• Strong communication skills across production, technical, and leadership groups.
• Ability to work independently, manage changing priorities, and follow work through to completion.
• Background check and drug screening required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with SolidWorks, AutoCAD, or similar CAD software.
• Familiarity with TPM, preventive maintenance, predictive maintenance, or reliability-centered maintenance.
• Experience writing SOPs, work instructions, or operator training materials.
• Exposure to fabrication, machining, hydraulics, pneumatics, drives, sensors, or PLC-controlled equipment.