Manufacturing R&D Engineer

Vantedge Medical Company; Durham (CT); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Hobson & Motzer, a division of Vantedge Medical, seeks a Manufacturing/R&D Engineer to lead PECM/ECF process development at Wallingford and Durham CT facilities. You will drive continuous improvement, tooling design, CAPA and process validation in a regulated contract manufacturing setting.

The role demands strong engineering, project management and data-driven problem solving, with collaboration across Operations, Quality and R&D teams to optimize performance and implement new technologies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or related technical discipline.
• 10+ years in manufacturing, process development or R&D engineering.
• Experience in medical device manufacturing or other regulated industries preferred.
• Direct PECM/ECF experience is highly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead PECM/ECF process development and continuous improvement projects.
• Develop robust, cost-effective manufacturing processes meeting requirements.
• Manage projects with objective setting, progress tracking and action-item closure.
• Investigate manufacturing challenges using data-driven methods.
• Design tooling, fixtures, work instructions and validation protocols.
• Support new product introductions and process transfers.
• Collaborate across Operations, Quality, R&D and Business Development.

Skills

PECM/ECF expertise

Project management

Problem solving

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Tools

Fixture/tooling design

GD&T techniques

Job description

Description

Manufacturing R&D Engineer

Full-time | Permanent

Salaried | On-site

*We are not currently working with third party agencies on this role.

About Us:

Hobson & Motzer, a Division of Vantedge Medical, is an organization that has a reputation for outstanding leadership, innovation and expertise. Our employees use their creativity and talent to invent new solutions, meet new demands and offer the most effective services in the industry.

Vantedge Medical is the premier metals-based med-tech solutions partner from concept to full-scale manufacturing. We are at the forefront of precision engineering and innovation, specializing in the development and manufacturing of vital components for medical markets such as Robotic Assisted Surgery, Orthopedics, Surgical Instruments, Dental, and more. Our teams work in unison, collaborating and problem-solving to serve the manufacturing needs of the top Medical Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) around the globe. Making a difference in the lives of patients and their families drives us to go above and beyond every day. With a steadfast commitment to advancing medical technology, we take immense pride in the work we do – and have a lot of fun doing it.

About the Role:

We are seeking a results-driven Manufacturing / R&D Engineer to lead process development and continuous improvement initiatives at our Wallingford and Durham, CT facilities. This role requires expertise in Pulsed Electro-Chemical Machining (PECM) and Electro-Chemical Finishing (ECF), while supporting improvements across related manufacturing processes. The successful candidate will apply strong engineering, project management, and problem-solving skills to improve quality, delivery, cost, and capacity in a contract manufacturing environment. Responsibilities include process development, new product introduction, tooling and fixture design, root cause analysis, CAPA management, process validation, and documentation development.This position works closely with Operations, Quality, R&D, Business Development, and customers to optimize manufacturability and operational performance.

Responsibilities:

• Lead process development and continuous improvement projects involving Pulsed Electro-Chemical Machining (PECM), Electro-Chemical Finishing (ECF), and related manufacturing technologies.
• Develop, validate, and implement robust, cost-effective manufacturing processes that meet customer and business requirements.
• Manage engineering projects, including defining objectives, tracking progress, communicating status, and driving timely completion of action items.
• Investigate and resolve manufacturing challenges using scientific and data-driven problem-solving methodologies.
• Design and develop tooling, fixtures, work instructions, process documentation, and validation protocols.
• Support new product introductions and process transfers from development through production.
• Collaborate with Operations, Quality, R&D, Project Engineering, and Business Development teams to improve manufacturing performance and deploy new technologies.
• Research, evaluate, and implement emerging technologies aligned with company growth strategies.
• Lead root cause investigations, corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs), and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Plan and facilitate technical reviews and project meetings throughout the project lifecycle.
• Communicate with customers regarding technical matters, project updates, and manufacturing solutions as required.
• Ensure compliance with quality system requirements, regulatory standards, and company procedures.
• Support Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement efforts, including participation in the company idea system.
• Maintain a safe, organized work environment and comply with 6S, PPE, and safety requirements.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Minimum of 10 years of manufacturing, process development, or R&D engineering experience.
• Experience in medical device manufacturing or other highly regulated industries preferred.
• Direct experience with PECM, ECF, or advanced precision manufacturing processes strongly preferred.
• Experience with GD&T, methods engineering, and fixture/tooling design.
• Knowledge of measurement systems, gauging techniques, and calibration practices.
• Understanding process validation, documentation control, and quality systems.
• Strong project management and technical problem-solving capabilities.
• Experience in applying scientific methods, root cause analysis, and continuous improvement tools.
• Strong leadership, decision-making, and organizational skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Self-motivated with strong initiative and follow-through.
• Detail-oriented with methodical work habits.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across all organizational levels.
• Demonstrated reliability, professionalism, and customer focus.
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related technical discipline.