Senior Manufacturing Engineer: Process & CAPEX Lead

New-Leader-Manufacturing; Cedar Rapids (IA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

New-Leader-Manufacturing seeks a Senior Manufacturing Engineer to lead CAPEX projects, drive process improvements, and optimize production with a focus on cost reduction and waste minimization. The role requires hands-on equipment knowledge and strong cross-functional collaboration.

Ideal candidates have 8+ years in manufacturing engineering, experience with ERP/reporting tools, and the ability to manage external vendors while ensuring safe, compliant operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical/industrial engineering or related field with 8+ years manufacturing experience.
• Experience managing CAPEX projects from conception to implementation and validation.
• Experience working with external vendors/contractors on facility or equipment projects.
• Strong communication skills across all company levels and with suppliers.
• Proficiency with ERP and reporting tools; MS Office and CAD experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, test, source and cost-justify tools, machinery and equipment.
• Lead implementation of new equipment and technologies; train staff on usage.
• Evaluate manufacturing processes to reduce costs and waste.
• Oversee transition of new products into production and support prototyping.

Skills

CAPEX project management

Vendor/contractor management

Cross-functional collaboration

Continuous improvement

Strong communication

ERP and reporting software

MS Office / Visio

Problem-solving

Production equipment knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical or Industrial Engineering or related field

Tools

CAD software

ERP systems

Visio

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Senior Manufacturing Engineer

Mfg. Supervisor Regular Full Time Salaried Exempt Off Cedar Rapids, IA, US

30+ days ago Requisition ID: 1285

The Senior Manufacturing Engineer is responsible for determining root cause and solutions to various technical manufacturing process issues. Key responsibilities include research, development, and implementation of alternate processes, parts, tooling, equipment, or systems. Along with recommending changes to current processes within operations to reduce costs and waste.

Key Responsibilities

RESULTS | 50%

Critical

• Designs, develops, tests, sources, and cost-justifies various tools, machinery and equipment for recommended manufacturing methods.
• Manages the implementation of new equipment or technology, ensures its satisfactory operation, and instructs others to use the new equipment properly.
• Evaluates and provides solutions to manufacturing product and process issues.
• Manages the successful transition of new products into the production arena. Supports prototyping activities of new product development.

Productivity / Job Knowledge

• Stays informed on both existing and new sheet metal processing methods, new manufacturing technology and equipment, and investigates potential applications. Recommends incorporation of new technology for company applications where feasible and practical.
• Prepares and maintains detailed CAD layouts of buildings and equipment.
• Evaluates parts for manufacturing applications based on variables such as cost, efficiency and practicality. Evaluates drawings, routings, specs and other documents.
• Communicates with other departments to develop production and design standards.
• Performs research, design and development of manufacturing processes, including production flow, and assembly methods.
• Performs product/process analysis including observation, measurements, data collection and data interpretation for cost reduction, quality improvement, efficiency, and safety improvement. Recommends methods for improving utilization of personnel, material, facilities, and utilities.

Safety

• Follows safety procedures, protocols, policies, and adheres to all SAFESTART concepts, and acts when others are not holding themselves accountable.

CORE VALUES | 50%

Act Like an Owner.

• Leads by example and takes ownership in everything you do and or say.
• If you see something, say something and follow through until it's right.
• Treats others with respect and kindness.
• Isn’t complacent. Seizes opportunities to learn by participating in activities to increase understanding.

Create Change. Start With Yourself.

• Asks "why", is open-minded, and challenges the status quo.
• Leads and supports changes for the sake of improvement.

Seek New Perspectives.

• Seeks new perspectives from all available sources to challenge your own, and brings them into your decision making process.
• Involves all stakeholders in making decisions. Is open to input from all sources.
• Considers long and short-term outcomes when making decisions.
• Is fearless.
• Readily admits mistakes.

Requirements

Qualifications and Essential Skills:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related field with a minimum of eight (8) years of experience as a manufacturing engineer, or equivalent combination of education and experience. Preferably, experience in a similar industrial environment (equipment production, steel fabrication, etc.) Hands-on experience with production equipment and knowledge of equipment capabilities is preferred.
• Experience managing Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) Projects from Project Conception to Implementation & Validation.
• Experience working with outside vendors and contractors to plan, quote, and execute facility and/or equipment related projects.
• Oral and written communication skills appropriate for working with all levels of the company, customers, and suppliers.
• Computer skills to include following programs: MS Office, Word, Excel, Access, Visio. Experience working with ERP and reporting programs required.
• Must be able to see the “big picture”, hearing and understanding the needs of both production and engineering, and communicating effectively to insure that the needs of both are optimized.
• Driven to continuous process improvement.
• Initiative. Able to work with minimal direction and insure that activities are focused on the most important needs of the organization.
• Accountability and Results Orientation.

Physical Requirements:

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.

Regularly required to sit and interface with computer systems while maintaining a high level of concentration. The employee is also regularly required to stand and walk while performing the duties of the job. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms, stoop, kneel, or crouch. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee is occasionally required to use hands/fingers to handle or feel. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust focus.

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.

The noise level in the office work environment is usually quiet. Employee may be exposed to shop environment while distributing documents to shop area. When on shop floor, employee will be required to wear safety glasses at all times, steel-toed footwear and ear protection when job demands presence in areas outside safety zones and gloves when handling material. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be exposed to moving mechanical parts, fumes or airborne particles, and vibration, and occasionally exposed to risk of electrical shock. The noise level in the plant shop environment is moderately loud. Position involves working indoors and outdoors with some exposure to weather conditions. Handles hazardous waste according to company policy and participates in annual hazardous waste training.