Manufacturing Process Engineer

Keystone Partners Consulting; Tuscaloosa (AL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Keystone Partners Consulting is seeking a Mechanical Engineer to optimize manufacturing processes and drive continuous improvement on the shop floor. You will design CAD models with GD&T, troubleshoot issues, and collaborate across production, quality, and supply chain teams while exploring AI-enabled improvements.

The role emphasizes hands-on manufacturing experience, lean methods, and a strong curiosity about applying AI tools to maintenance, inspection, and data analysis in a modern plant

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 2–5 years of experience in manufacturing or process engineering.
• Proficient in CAD software (SolidWorks, AutoCAD) and GD&T.
• Hands-on experience with production environments, tooling, and equipment troubleshooting.
• Knowledge of quality systems and root-cause analysis tools (8D, fishbone, FMEA).
• Curiosity about AI applications in manufacturing and process improvement.

Responsibilities

• Design, evaluate, and improve manufacturing processes to increase efficiency and quality.
• Create and review CAD models and drawings with GD&T for manufacturability.
• Troubleshoot production issues and lead root-cause analyses.
• Collaborate with production, quality, and supply chain teams on new products and changes.
• Develop work instructions, process docs, and SOPs.
• Identify and implement lean improvements and continuous improvement projects.
• Pilot AI-driven tools for predictive maintenance, quality inspection, or data analysis.
• Support capital equipment evaluation, installation, and validation.
• Conduct DFMs reviews for new and existing products.

Skills

CAD proficiency

GD&T knowledge

Root cause analysis

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Curiosity about AI

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

AutoCAD

Job description

We're looking for a Mechanical Engineer with strong hands-on manufacturing and process engineering expertise to join our team. You'll play a key role in optimizing production processes, ensuring product quality, and driving continuous improvement across our manufacturing floor. We're especially interested in engineers who are curious about how AI and emerging technology can be applied to modernize manufacturing operations — from predictive maintenance to process automation.

What You’ll Do

• Design, evaluate, and improve manufacturing processes to increase efficiency, reduce waste, and maintain quality standards
• Create and review detailed CAD models and engineering drawings, applying GD&T principles to ensure manufacturability and dimensional accuracy
• Troubleshoot production issues and lead root-cause analysis for equipment, tooling, or process failures
• Collaborate with production, quality, and supply chain teams to support new product introductions and process changes
• Develop work instructions, process documentation, and standard operating procedures
• Identify and implement process improvements using lean manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies
• Explore and pilot AI-driven tools for predictive maintenance, quality inspection, or production data analysis
• Support capital equipment evaluation, installation, and validation
• Conduct DFM (Design for Manufacturability) reviews on new and existing products

What We’re Looking For

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field
• 2–5 years of experience in manufacturing or process engineering
• Strong proficiency in CAD software (SolidWorks, AutoCAD, or similar)
• Solid understanding of GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing)
• Hands-on experience with production environments, tooling, and equipment troubleshooting
• Familiarity with quality systems and root-cause analysis tools (8D, fishbone diagrams, FMEA)
• Genuine curiosity about AI and how it can be applied to manufacturing and process improvement — no AI experience required, just an interest in learning and experimenting
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent communication skills — able to work across engineering, production, and quality teams

Nice to Have

• Six Sigma or Lean Manufacturing certification
• Experience with automation, PLCs, or robotics integration
• Familiarity with AI tools (ChatGPT, Claude, Copilot) or data analysis platforms