Manufacturing Strategy Engineer III

Vigor Marine Group; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 113,000 - 128,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary bonus

Tuition Reimbursement

401(k)

Medical

Job summary

Vigor Marine Group is seeking a manufacturing engineer to develop strategies, systems, and continuous improvement processes to support production build success. The role focuses on high-quality, safe production within budget, while driving sustainable improvements through team-based engagement and CI toolsets.

The position emphasizes leading cross-functional teams, delivering manufacturability-driven designs, and reducing costs through lean initiatives and data-driven decision making.

Qualifications

• Degree in manufacturing or mechanical engineering or related engineering field is required.
• Green belt or higher in Lean/Six Sigma preferred.
• Minimum 5–10 years of experience in a similar production industry.

Responsibilities

• Prepare calculations and design concepts; analyzes technical studies and proposals; resolves technical problems by examining data and performing calculations.
• Develop engineering plans or work orders to fabricate fixtures or items to reduce costs for continuous improvement.
• Assist in developing KPIs to establish baseline performance metrics for key processes.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives to reduce material usage and labor requirements.
• Support projects by preparing detailed designs ensuring manufacturability.
• Coordinate with design firms to resolve design problems.

Education

Bachelor's degree in manufacturing or mechanical engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

MS Windows

Excel

Word

Job description

Who We Are

Vigor Marine Group is an established, innovative, integrated partner with a national footprint in marine maintenance and modernization, marine fabrication, and marine services.

Description

Who We Are

Vigor Marine Group is an established, innovative, integrated partner with a national footprint in marine maintenance and modernization, marine fabrication, and marine services. With four shipyards, six dry docks, and more than 20,000 feet of pier space on or near U.S. Naval bases and at historic shipyards, our 2,500 dedicated employees across four states – from the Pacific Northwest to San Diego to Norfolk – personify the values of our company. Vigor Marine Group takes pride in being the employer of choice for our employees, who in turn take great pride in their contributions to the communities where they live and work, and to their nation – through their living wage jobs supporting their local economies, and through the world‑class maritime and industrial services they provide to further our defense readiness and national security. For more information, visitvigor.net.

SALARY RANGE

$113,000 – 128,000

Position Summary

This position develops manufacturing strategies, systems, continuous improvement processes and machines to support production build success. Strategies that result in high-quality products built safely within budgeted parameters while limiting impact to the environment. This role will also develop sustainable improvements through engagement using a team‑based approach and continuous improvement toolsets.

Essential Functions And Major Responsibilities

(This list is not intended to detail all aspects of the assigned work but is representative of the job’s overall responsibilities)

• Prepares necessary calculations and/or design concepts; analyzes technical studies and proposals; and resolves technical problems by examining relevant technical data and performing appropriate calculations.
• Evaluates and develops engineering plans or work orders to fabricate work aids, fixtures or other items to assist production in cost reductions for continuous improvement.
• Assists in developing key performance indicators to establish baseline performance metrics on key processes required to assess the impact of change.
• Assists in the development and evaluation of build strategies, erection sequences, lifting strategies, etc.
• Supports engineering projects by preparing detailed designs from concept designs and written specifications insuring manufacturability.
• Confer with design engineering firms and other on staff to resolve design problems.
• Develops written specifications and processes for components and systems.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives to reduce bottom line cost in areas such as material usage, ergonomic hazards and labor requirements.
• Improves manufacturing efficiency by actively searching for opportunities to improve data quality, data delivery / presentation, and yard production practices.
• Establish processes to share process improvements between business entities.
• Benchmark key processes to learn best practices.
• Coordinates and develops communications to publish change results in order to share improvements amongst the various business entities.
• Other duties as assigned

Job Scope

The position operates within general parameters. However, exercises appropriate independent judgment in adjusting priorities, goals, work assignments, methods, procedures, and techniques to successfully facilitate projects.

Supervisory Responsibility

Will be required to lead group activities with participants drawn from all areas and all titles across the company. A key leadership component will be to drive participation and commitments from non-direct reports across the business.

Interpersonal Contacts

Must be able to discuss complex thoughts and timelines with all levels and departments in the company in addition to contacts outside the organization the most prominent outside contact being suppliers/vendors. This position maintains a variety of professional relationships and must be able to determine the appropriate level of communication and interaction for various situations and circumstances. The ability to effectively influence decisions through respectful interactions with others both within the organization and outside of the organization is essential in this role.

Knowledge Skills And Abilities

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both oral and written for constant interaction with all departments and employee levels and outside customers
• PC skills required, including engineering computer equipment and software (analysis, design, CAD/CAM and data programs). Knowledge of MS Windows, Advanced Excel, Word, Auto-CAD.
• Must be well-organized, detail and customer (internal and external) oriented, a self-starter.
• Ability to read and comprehend work specifications, work orders, blueprints, contracts and technical publications.
• Demonstrated understanding and experience deploying Lean, Six Sigma or other Continuous Improvement methodologies.
• Demonstrated experience effectively leading and managing diverse teams.
• Strong ability to effectively and efficiently facilitate process improvement events
• Knowledge of working carbon and stainless steels, aluminum, Titanium and hard materials
• Knowledge of welding processes and metallurgy
• Ability to apply lean principles to everyday applications and effectively communicate to all levels of the organization.
• Ability to run continuous improvement projects that require acquiring assets, revitalization and return on investment justification
• Working knowledge of Materials Requirement Planning System; lean manufacturing process and continuous improvement tools.
• Perform costing activities for capital justification, business case analysis and general costing activities.
• Ability to handle competing priorities and deadlines effectively and respond well to last minute, high priority, time sensitive projects.
• Ability to schedule, direct and organize work within a diverse department and coordinate work with other departments to maintain efficiency and facilitate group decision‑making, team building and conflict resolution.
• Must be comfortable discussing plans and design details before design is complete. Must be able to discuss concepts before all facts are available.

Education And/Or Experience

• Degree in manufacturing or mechanical engineering or related engineering field is required.
• Minimum 5-10 years of experience in a similar production industry is required.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES AND REGISTRATIONS:

Green belt or higher in Lean/Six Sigma preferred.

Physical Demands

Work is conducted in a dynamic, fast‑paced office setting with moderate to loud noise levels from production. The individual may be required to be in production areas. He/she must be able to walk to and from job sites. The person must be able to climb inclined stairways and vertical ladders. The incumbent may be required to lift up to 20 pounds. He/she may be required to work more than 8-hour shifts and weekend work. There may be local travel and out‑of‑town travel (including air travel) up to 15% of the time with notice. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work Environment

While in production areas, will be exposed to all weather conditions, noise, dusts and odors. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This role is with a federally contracted employer and is subject to regulations that restrict employment to US Persons only (i.e. US Citizens, lawful permanent residents, legally recognized asylees and refugees, and persons protected under INA). Successful job candidates will be asked to provide documentation of their US Persons status.

Vigor Industrial LLC and its wholly owned subsidiaries are drug, smoke and vape‑free workplaces. Prospective employees must pass a drug and alcohol test and background check as pre‑employment screening.

Vigor Values

Truth:

We seek the truth, and we speak the truth

Responsibility:

We act on what we know is right

Evolution:

We seek mastery, and adapt to a changing world

Love:

We care about the people we work with, and the world we live in

At Vigor we offer a generous benefits package that includes:

• Medical
• RX
• Dental
• Vision
• Life
• AD&D
• LTD
• STD
• EAP
• Discretionary bonus
• Tuition Reimbursement
• FSA (Medical, Childcare, Transportation)
• 10 paid holidays
• PTO
• 401(k)

Vigor and its wholly owned subsidiaries are committed to inclusion and diversity by providing equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veterans, age, genetics, the presence of a physical or mental condition or disability that can be reasonably accommodated, or any other protected class under relevant laws in the locations we operate. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions and can be requested with Vigor’s Human Resources Department.

In addition to federal law requirements, Vigor complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination and non‑retaliation in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, benefits, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.