Bearing Manufacturing Engineering Manager

Worcester, MA | Full-Time | On-Site

About the Role:

We are seeking an experienced Bearing Manufacturing Engineering Manager to lead engineering initiatives supporting the design, development, and manufacture of precision bearing products and assemblies. This role is responsible for managing manufacturing engineering activities while driving continuous improvement in product design, manufacturing processes, quality, and operational efficiency.

The ideal candidate combines strong technical expertise in bearing manufacturing, precision machining, and metal manufacturing processes with proven engineering leadership experience. This individual will collaborate closely with Operations, Quality, Production, and Sales to develop manufacturable solutions that meet customer specifications while improving productivity, reducing costs, and maintaining the highest quality standards.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the Manufacturing Engineering team responsible for bearing component and assembly design, process development, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Design and modify bearing components, assemblies, and manufacturing processes to meet customer specifications and performance requirements.
• Develop, validate, and optimize manufacturing processes that improve quality, increase productivity, and reduce manufacturing costs.
• Evaluate manufacturability of new products and collaborate with customers, Sales, and Engineering to support new business opportunities.
• Develop manufacturing methods, work instructions, tooling, fixtures, and process documentation for production.
• Drive Lean Manufacturing initiatives focused on waste reduction, cycle time improvements, process optimization, and operational excellence.
• Analyze manufacturing performance metrics and implement corrective actions that improve Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), throughput, and product quality.
• Partner with Quality Engineering to resolve nonconforming material issues, implement corrective actions, and improve process capability.
• Lead root cause investigations using structured problem-solving methodologies including 8D, FMEA, and statistical analysis.
• Support capital equipment selection, process automation, equipment upgrades, and facility improvements.
• Collaborate with Production, Maintenance, Supply Chain, and Quality teams to ensure efficient manufacturing operations and on-time customer delivery.
• Develop engineering standards, process documentation, and manufacturing best practices.
• Recruit, mentor, and develop Manufacturing Engineers while fostering technical excellence and continuous learning.
• Support ISO quality systems, regulatory compliance, and customer audit activities.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• Minimum of 8 years of manufacturing engineering experience, including 3 or more years of engineering leadership or management experience.
• Experience in bearing manufacturing, precision machining, metal stamping, metal forming, or precision component manufacturing.
• Strong understanding of machining processes, manufacturing tolerancing, GD&T, and precision measurement techniques.
• Experience designing manufacturing processes, tooling, fixtures, and production workflows.
• Proven success implementing Lean Manufacturing, continuous improvement, and cost reduction initiatives.
• Experience supporting new product introduction (NPI), process validation, and production launch activities.
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing quality systems, process capability studies, statistical process control (SPC), and root cause analysis.
• Experience working with ERP systems and engineering documentation.
• Strong project management, leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
• Proficiency with CAD software such as SolidWorks, AutoCAD, or similar engineering design platforms.

Desired Qualifications:

• Direct experience designing or manufacturing ball bearings, roller bearings, housed bearing assemblies, or related precision mechanical components.
• Experience with CNC machining, metal stamping, assembly processes, and automated manufacturing equipment.
• Knowledge of ISO 9001 quality systems and quality management methodologies.
• Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.
• Experience implementing automation, robotics, or Industry 4.0 manufacturing technologies.
• Experience supporting OEM customers within industrial equipment, agriculture, transportation, power transmission, or heavy equipment industries.
• MBA or advanced engineering degree is a plus.