Sr Manufacturing Engineer

Hickory Springs Manufacturing Company; High Point (NC); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) plan

Paid time off

On-site clinics

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Hickory Springs Manufacturing Company seeks a seasoned Manufacturing Engineer to partner with plant leaders, drive safety, quality, and productivity improvements, and lead capital projects from concept to production. You will apply lean methods and structured problem‑solving to optimize processes across diverse materials and technologies.

The role requires a strong background in APQP, PFMEA, MSA, SPC, PPAP, and ISO 9001, plus the ability to coach teams, manage complex programs, and travel as

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing, Industrial, Mechanical, or related engineering.
• At least 10 years of progressive manufacturing engineering experience.
• Proven improvements in safety, quality, throughput, or cost.
• Knowledge of APQP, PFMEA, MSA, SPC, PPAP.
• ISO 9001 experience.

Responsibilities

• Partner with plant leaders to prioritize engineering initiatives based on safety, quality, delivery, cost, capacity, and workforce needs.
• Analyze production performance, including OEE, cycle time, throughput, scrap, downtime, and labor utilization, to identify constraints and deliver measurable improvements.
• Lead process design, optimization, and standardization for new, existing, and transferred products across a variety of materials and manufacturing technologies.
• Apply lean manufacturing, value stream analysis, line balancing, mistake proofing, and structured root cause analysis to improve flow, reduce variation, and prevent recurring issues.
• Develop and validate process flows, standard work, setup parameters, changeover methods, capacity models, and production controls with the teams who use them.
• Lead equipment, automation, and capital projects from requirements and business case development through supplier selection, installation, validation, and sustained production.
• Establish equipment acceptance criteria and coordinate testing to verify safety, quality, production rate, reliability, maintainability, and integration.
• Coordinate with Operations, Maintenance, Quality, EHS, IT/Controls, suppliers, and integrators to manage project scope, schedule, cost, and technical risks.
• Support product launches and production transfers by assessing manufacturability, equipment capability, process risk, and production readiness.
• Partner with Quality and program teams on APQP, PFMEA, control plans, capability studies, MSA, SPC, PPAP, and applicable customer and quality-system requirements.
• Incorporate machine safety, guarding, ergonomics, and efficient material flow into equipment, tooling, workstation, and layout improvements.
• Coach plant engineers, supervisors, maintenance teams, and operators; coordinate training and complete documented handoffs for new or modified equipment and processes.
• Support audits and corrective actions, verify improvements remain effective, and share proven practices across TSM facilities.

Skills

Leadership

Data analysis

Communication

Lean manufacturing

Problem solving

Project management

Cross-functional teamwork

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing/Industrial/Mechanical engineering

Job description

Founded in 1944, HSM is athird generation, privately held company with a rich history of innovation and a commitment to our people. With 25 locations across the U.S. and corporate headquarters in Hickory, NC and Huntersville, NC, we specialize in manufacturing components for furniture, bedding, transportation, packaging, automotive, and healthcare industries. Our expertise also includes designing and building automated production machinery. HSM products from sofa springs to swimming pool noodles and bus seats, touch everyday life in countless ways.

At HSM, our success is built on our people. We foster a culture of teamwork, innovation, and shared success. If you’re looking for a meaningful place to grow and make an impact, we want to hear from you!

What You Will Do

• Partner with plant leaders to prioritize engineering initiatives based on safety, quality, delivery, cost, capacity, and workforce needs.
• Analyze production performance, including OEE, cycle time, throughput, scrap, downtime, and labor utilization, to identify constraints and deliver measurable improvements.
• Lead process design, optimization, and standardization for new, existing, and transferred products across a variety of materials and manufacturing technologies.
• Apply lean manufacturing, value stream analysis, line balancing, mistake proofing, and structured root cause analysis to improve flow, reduce variation, and prevent recurring issues.
• Develop and validate process flows, standard work, setup parameters, changeover methods, capacity models, and production controls with the teams who use them.
• Lead equipment, automation, and capital projects from requirements and business case development through supplier selection, installation, validation, and sustained production.
• Establish equipment acceptance criteria and coordinate testing to verify safety, quality, production rate, reliability, maintainability, and integration.
• Coordinate with Operations, Maintenance, Quality, EHS, IT/Controls, suppliers, and integrators to manage project scope, schedule, cost, and technical risks.
• Support product launches and production transfers by assessing manufacturability, equipment capability, process risk, and production readiness.
• Partner with Quality and program teams on APQP, PFMEA, control plans, capability studies, MSA, SPC, PPAP, and applicable customer and quality-system requirements.
• Incorporate machine safety, guarding, ergonomics, and efficient material flow into equipment, tooling, workstation, and layout improvements.
• Coach plant engineers, supervisors, maintenance teams, and operators; coordinate training and complete documented handoffs for new or modified equipment and processes.
• Support audits and corrective actions, verify improvements remain effective, and share proven practices across TSM facilities.

What You Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing, Industrial, Mechanical, or a related engineering discipline.
• At least 10 years of progressive manufacturing engineering experience, including ownership of significant process, equipment, automation, or capital projects from definition through sustained production.
• Demonstrated improvements in safety, quality, throughput, process capability, labor efficiency, or cost in a production environment.
• Advanced working knowledge of lean manufacturing, standard work, line balancing, mistake proofing, and structured problem solving.
• Ability to interpret manufacturing performance data and develop practical equipment specifications, capacity models, work instructions, and process controls.
• Knowledge of APQP, PFMEA, control plans, MSA, SPC, capability analysis, PPAP, and launch or transfer readiness appropriate to customer requirements.
• Applied experience with ISO 9001 and the ability to translate quality-system requirements into effective process controls, documentation, and validation evidence.
• Working understanding of mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic, robotics, PLC, HMI, and CNC systems sufficient to assess issues and collaborate with technical specialists.
• Strong project leadership and business judgment, including capital justification, return-on-investment analysis, risk management, and cross-functional coordination.
• Clear communication skills and the ability to coach and influence plant teams while building shared ownership of improvements.
• Proficiency with engineering and business tools used for data analysis, project tracking, technical documentation, and presentations.
• Ability to travel occasionally between regional manufacturing facilities, typically less than 20% of the time.

Preferred Experience

• Advanced degree in a related engineering field.
• Automotive manufacturing experience, including customer requirements, production launches, and structured quality systems.
• Experience supporting IATF 16949 and VDA requirements in an automotive supply-chain environment.
• Experience across multiple manufacturing processes, products, or facilities.
• Background in metal fabrication or forming, tube and wire products, seating or furniture mechanisms, foam, converting, assembly, or related discrete manufacturing.
• Experience applying statistical methods to process performance.
• Formal auditor training or lead-auditor experience.

Why Join Us?

• Health & Wellness: Affordable medical, dental, and vision insurance plans, including an innovative global healthcare option for qualified participants.
• Retire:401(k) with company match, fully vested from day one.
• Paid Time Off: Competitive PTO: 3 Weeks of Vacation + 9 company paid holidays.
• On-Site Medical Clinics: Free for you and covered dependents.
• Teladoc: 24/7 access with no copay.
• Professional Development: Tuition reimbursement, professional development assistance and career growth opportunities.
• Discounts: Enjoy discounts with HSM partners, including Dollywood Parks & Resort, Verizon Wireless, and more.

EEOC

At HSM, we believe that our diversity creates a productive workplace. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, marital status, affectionate or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.