Mechanical Engineer

Skana Aluminum Company; Manitowoc (WI); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) retirement plan with company 50

Paid time off and holidays after 30+

Annual safety shoe reimbursement

Prescriptions safety glasses

Quarterly discretionary bonus

Job summary

Skana Aluminum Company is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer to turn ideas into practical improvements that boost equipment reliability and throughput while reducing costs. The role balances design with data analysis and hands-on work on the production floor.

You will partner with operations, maintenance, and leadership to identify opportunities, lead projects from concept to finish, and develop documentation within our ISO quality system. Strong CAD skills required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Manufacturing Engineering or related field.
• 2–5 years of mechanical engineering experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience with metal processing or continuous manufacturing is a plus.
• Experience with CAD tools (AutoCAD, SolidWorks).

Responsibilities

• Identify opportunities to improve equipment uptime, throughput, and costs.
• Design parts and equipment improvements using CAD tools.
• Plan plant floor layouts and equipment installations or moves.
• Lead engineering projects from scope through completion with cost justification and ISO documentation.
• Troubleshoot equipment on the production floor with operators.
• Collaborate with maintenance to develop engineered solutions for reliability.

Skills

Problem solving

Independent work

Cross-functional communication

Data analysis (Excel)

Hands-on with tools

Project leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Manufacturing Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

SolidWorks

Job description

Hands-On Engineering | Continuous Improvement | Project Leadership

About the Role

Are you a hands-on problem-solver who enjoys making things work better? We're looking for a Manufacturing Engineer who can turn ideas into practical solutions that improve equipment reliability, increase production throughput, reduce costs, and keep our operation running smoothly.

This is a hands-on role for someone who enjoys balancing engineering design and data analysis with time on the production floor. You'll work directly with operations, maintenance, and leadership to identify opportunities, solve equipment challenges, and lead projects from concept through completion.

You're mechanically inclined, resourceful, and motivated by seeing your ideas make a real difference, we’d like to hear from you.

What You’ll Do

• Identify engineering opportunities to improve equipment uptime, increase throughput, and reduce operating costs.
• Design parts, assemblies, and equipment improvements using SolidWorks or other 3D CAD software.
• Develop plant floor layouts and plan equipment installations or moves using AutoCAD.
• Partner with management to develop data tracking, reporting, and trending tools that measure operational performance.

Hands-On Technical Support

• Work directly with production operators and maintenance technicians to troubleshoot equipment malfunctions and resolve production challenges.
• Roll up your sleeves when needed to install, adjust, modify, and repair machinery.
• Collaborate with maintenance to develop engineered solutions that address recurring equipment problems and improve long-term reliability.

Project Management & Equipment Outages

• Lead engineering projects from start to finish, including scope development, authorization for expenditure (AFE) and cost justification, scheduling, budgeting, and execution.
• Plan and coordinate equipment outages and shutdowns, working closely with maintenance, operations, contractors, and other stakeholders.
• Research equipment options, work with vendors and suppliers, and initiate purchase requests.
• Monitor project progress, resolve challenges, and drive projects to successful completion.
• Develop, document, and maintain work instructions and procedures within our ISO quality management system.
• Provide engineering leadership and serve as the lead engineer for the Engineering Team when needed.
• Support a culture of safety, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

What You’ll Bring

• A problem-solving mindset. You're creative, resourceful, and enjoy finding better ways to do things. You see challenges as opportunities and want to be part of the solution.
• A bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related field or equivalentexperience.
• Experience with 3D modeling using any CAD platform.
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills, including data analysis, pivot tables, and charts.
• Project management skills, including planning, budgeting, coordinating resources, and driving work to completion.
• Mechanical aptitude and the ability and willingness to work hands-on with tools and equipment on the production floor.
• The ability to work independently, take initiative, and communicate clearly across teams.

Nice to Have

• Three or more years of experience in manufacturing process evaluation, machine design, or equipment troubleshooting.
• Experience planning or leading equipment outages, shutdowns, or major maintenance projects.
• Experience with SolidWorks and AutoCAD. Familiarity with both is a plus, but we're willing to train the right candidate.
• Experience working in an ISO-certified manufacturing environment.

Who You’ll Work With

You'll collaborate with a wide range of people across the business, including the President and COO, directors, production supervisors, maintenance, purchasing, and shipping and logistics. You'll also work with external vendors, suppliers, and contractors to bring projects and improvements to life.

This role offers the opportunity to work closely with leadership while building strong relationships with the people who keep production moving every day.

• A combination of office-based engineering work and hands-on time in the manufacturing facility.
• Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is required on the production floor.
• Travel of up to approximately 10% may be required for vendor visits, equipment evaluations, and acceptance activities.

What We Offer

We offer a benefits package designed to support your health, safety, and financial well-being, including:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k) retirement plan with a company match of 50% on the first 4% of employee contributions.
• Paid time off and paid holidays after 30 days of employment.
• Annual safety shoe reimbursement of up to $150.
• Paid prescription safety glasses.
• Quarterly discretionary bonus program.

Ready to Make an Impact?

If you enjoy solving real-world engineering challenges, improving manufacturing operations, and seeing your ideas make a measurable difference, we'd love to hear from you.

Bring your engineering skills, mechanical know-how, and drive for continuous improvement to our team.

Skana Aluminum is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.

Qualifications

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education/Experience:

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field required. 2-5 years of mechanical engineering experience in a manufacturing environment preferred. Experience with metal processing or continuous manufacturing a plus.

Language Ability:

Able to read and interpret technical documents, safety procedures, mechanical drawings, and vendor manuals. Strong written and verbal communication skills are essential.

Math Ability:

Proficient in engineering mathematics, including algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and basic statistics. Ability to analyze mechanical stress, fluid flow, and thermodynamics calculations.

Reasoning Ability:

Able to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Comfortable making decisions based on technical data and engineering principles.

Computer Skills:

Proficiency in CAD software (AutoCAD, SolidWorks), Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook), and familiarity with CMMS systems. Knowledge of FEA software, PLC/HMI systems, and data acquisition tools is a plus.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to work near moving mechanical parts; risk of electrical shock and vibration.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate, however, in manufacturing areas, the noise level requires hearing protection.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include Close vision, Distance vision, Peripheral vision, Depth perception and Ability to adjust focus. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk and sit.