Senior Manufacturing Engineer

Skutt Ceramic Products, Inc.; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 120,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

401K matching

Vacation

Job summary

Skutt Ceramic Products, Inc. seeks a Senior Manufacturing Engineer to own outcomes from concept to implementation on a fast-paced production floor. You will identify improvement opportunities, drive data-driven decisions and mentor teams to strengthen manufacturing capabilities.

This is an individual contributor role reporting to the CI/Engineering Supervisor. You will collaborate across design, purchasing, and production to optimize manufacturability, implement Lean tools, and lead

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing, Industrial, or Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent experience.
• 8+ years of experience in a manufacturing or process engineering role with strong factory floor presence.
• Proven track record of measurable results in cost, quality, or throughput improvements.
• Strong problem-solving skills with deep experience in root cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Experience with lean manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Provide hands-on technical support to the production floor, troubleshooting process and equipment issues and resolving them at the root.
• Own manufacturing engineering projects from concept through implementation, delivering measurable results in cost, quality, throughput, and safety.
• Identify improvement opportunities and present data-driven recommendations, including ROI and payback, to inform continuous improvement priorities.
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective action for production and quality issues using structured problem-solving methods (e.g., 8D, 5 Why, fishbone).
• Plan and execute equipment and process projects, including specification, vendor coordination, installation, and validation.
• Support new product introductions (NPI), partnering with design to optimize manufacturability and ensure a smooth transition to full-scale production.

Skills

Root cause analysis

Lean manufacturing

Problem solving

Cross-functional collaboration

Data-driven decision making

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing, Industrial, or Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

GD&T standards

ERP/MRP systems

Automation/PLC experience

Job description

Job Overview

We are seeking a Senior Manufacturing Engineer who brings deep, hands‑on experience and the judgment to match. You will own the outcomes of your work from start to finish, identify improvement opportunities backed by data, and help set the technical direction for how we build our products. As a go‑to technical resource, you will share your knowledge with engineers, supervisors, and operators to strengthen the capabilities of the team around you. This is an individual contributor role reporting to the CI/Engineering Supervisor.

Our operations center on general assembly, supported by refractory brickwork, sheet metal fabrication, machine operation, CNC operation, welding, electrical assembly and wiring, and testing and packaging of our kilns and pottery wheels.

This is a chance to make a meaningful impact as an individual contributor. Your work on our small engineering team will span multiple facets of the business, from the production floor to new product development to quality. You’ll see the results of your decisions firsthand rather than being just another engineer at a larger company.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide hands‑on technical support to the production floor, troubleshooting process and equipment issues and resolving them at the root
• Own manufacturing engineering projects from concept through implementation, delivering measurable results in cost, quality, throughput, and safety
• Identify improvement opportunities and present data‑driven recommendations, including ROI and payback, to inform continuous improvement priorities
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective action for production and quality issues using structured problem‑solving methods (e.g., 8D, 5 Why, fishbone)
• Plan and execute equipment and process projects, including specification, vendor coordination, installation, and validation
• Support new product introductions (NPI), partnering with design to optimize manufacturability and ensure a smooth transition to full‑scale production
• Apply lean manufacturing tools such as standard work, 5S, value stream mapping, and setup reduction to reduce waste and improve flow
• Partner with Quality to strengthen process controls, inspection methods, and corrective actions
• Analyze production data to identify trends, establish meaningful metrics, and drive corrective actions
• Develop and maintain work instructions, process documentation, and SOPs that set a high standard for clarity and consistency
• Own the creation and maintenance of manufacturing bills of materials (BOMs), ensuring accuracy and controlled changes, and coordinating updates with design, purchasing, and production
• Serve as a technical mentor to the engineering team, and share expertise with supervisors and operators to build problem‑solving capability across the floor
• Work with maintenance to improve equipment reliability and minimize downtime
• Train operators and technicians on best practices and new manufacturing processes
• Support line layout, capacity planning, and make‑vs‑buy evaluations as volume and product mix change

Position Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing, Industrial, or Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent experience
• 8+ years of experience in a manufacturing or process engineering role with strong factory floor presence
• Proven track record of measurable results, such as cost savings, scrap reduction, or throughput improvement
• Strong problem‑solving skills with deep experience in root cause analysis and corrective actions
• Working knowledge of lean manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies
• Experience planning and executing process or equipment projects from concept through implementationExperience creating and maintaining accurate manufacturing bill of materials (BOMs), including change control
• Experience mentoring or training engineers, technicians, or operators
• Proficiency in SolidWorks and manufacturing data analysis tools
• Proficiency in interpreting and applying GD&T standards to ensure accurate part specifications and compliance
• Breadth of experience across multiple areas and comfort wearing many hats in a small‑company environment
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to explain technical concepts clearly to non‑engineers
• Hands‑on approach with a willingness to be on the production floor solving problems
• Ability to work effectively in a fast‑paced production environment with multiple priorities

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with UL/CSA‑listed products and related compliance requirements
• Lean manufacturing certifications/experience
• Experience with automation, PLCs, or robotic systems in a manufacturing environment
• Knowledge of ERP/MRP systems and manufacturing planning
• Experience at a small or mid‑size manufacturer

Details

Job Type: Full‑time, Monday thru Friday
Shift: 7:00 AM – 4:10 PM (1 hr. lunch)
Salary: $120,000–$135,000, depending on experience depending on experience
Bonus Opportunities
Employer‑Paid Benefit Package (Medical/Dental/401K Matching/Vacation)