Manufacturing Process Optimization Engineer

Rockwell Automation; Richland Center (WI); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Rockwell Automation is seeking a Manufacturing Process Optimization Engineer to bridge product design, applications engineering, and plant operations. You will lead Lean initiatives, standardize processes, and drive safe, efficient production across facilities.

You will collaborate with design and application engineering to release new products, refine time standards, and implement MES workflows while upholding health, safety, and ISO standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering or related field.
• 0–3 years of production or manufacturing engineering experience.
• Experience with DFMA and project management.
• Exposure to Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma.
• Ability to analyze production data and justify improvements.

Responsibilities

• Lead and contribute to productivity initiatives to improve throughput and reduce ergonomic risks.
• Apply Lean improvement thinking to eliminate waste and boost efficiency.
• Evaluate and justify new manufacturing technologies with business cases.
• Provide input for MES and information management solutions.
• Support NPI/continuation engineering reviews (DFM, DFA, PFMEA).
• Plan and justify tooling, fixtures, and equipment upgrades for lines.

Skills

Lean manufacturing

Six Sigma

DFMA

Project management

Data analysis

Education

B.S. in Industrial, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering

Tools

Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES)

Job description

About the RoleImagine starting your day on the plant floor, walking a line with technicians to spot ergonomic risks, then stepping into a design review to ensure a new product releases smoothly to production. By the afternoon, you're refining time standards, tuning an MES workflow, and finalizing tooling recommendations that shave minutes off a critical assembly. As our Manufacturing Process Optimization Engineer, you'll be the connective tissue between product design, applications engineering, plant operations, and corporate centers of excellence—turning ideas into scalable, safe, and efficient production.What You'll DoLead and contribute to initiatives that deliver annual productivity results and drive down safety and ergonomic risks across the manufacturing environment.Apply transformational, continuous-improvement thinking—grounded in Lean—to eliminate waste and boost throughput.Evaluate and champion new manufacturing technologies with clear business cases and practical deployment plans.Use AI-driven insights to streamline workflows and analyze production data for process improvements and waste reduction.Partner closely with design engineering to release new products; collaborate with application engineering to build and troubleshoot electrical panels.Standardize, implement, maintain, and govern manufacturing processes across Rockwell Automation plants.Support IT security and business productivity initiatives within plant operations.Provide input and execution support for Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) and information management solutions.Participate in NPI and continuation engineering reviews, including DFM, DFA, and PFMEA activities.Estimate manufacturing costs and time standards; recommend tooling, fixtures, and assembly equipment for both new and existing product lines.Drive procurement, installation, and validation of equipment and fixtures.Maintain robust records and reporting systems that coordinate manufacturing operations.Operate to applicable health, safety, quality, and environmental standards (e.g., state/federal regulations, ISO 9001, ISO 14000) and Rockwell Automation procedures.You will report to the Manufacturing Engineering and Facilities Manager and work actively across both central office and plant environments.Required QualificationsBachelor's degree.Legal notice: Legal authorization to work in the US is required. We will not sponsor individuals for employment visas, now or in the future, for this job opening.Preferred QualificationsB.S. in Industrial, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering—or a related Production/Manufacturing/Technology field.0–3 years of experience in a production or manufacturing engineering setting.Background in project management and DFMA.Exposure to Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma methods.Benefits & Work LifeMedical, Dental, and Vision insuranceLife Insurance401(k)Paid Time OffParental and Caregiver LeaveFlexible work scheduling coordinated with your managerRelocation Assistance is NOT normally provided for this Role.Learn more: www.raquickfind.comOur CultureWe strive for a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace. If you’re enthusiastic about this opportunity but don’t meet every single qualification, we encourage you to apply—you may be the right fit for this or another role.This position falls within a job family; level and compensation are determined by experience.