Junior Manufacturing Process Engineer — Precision Gearing

Build your engineering foundation on the shop floor

Reliance Gear Corporation crafts precision gears for customers with exacting engineering and performance needs. As a Junior Manufacturing Process Engineer, you’ll learn by doing—shoulder to shoulder with veteran engineers and production experts—turning designs into repeatable, high-quality results.

A day in the life

Morning walk-throughs on the production floor, learning CNC machining and gear-cutting nuances. Midday, you’ll shape process plans and engineering documents. Afternoon, you might support a quote, dive into production data to spot yield opportunities, or join a root-cause huddle to troubleshoot a line issue. You’ll continuously rotate between planning, problem solving, and hands-on learning.

What you will do

• Translate gear designs into clear build instructions and controlled engineering documentation.
• Co-develop and refine manufacturing processes for both new introductions and legacy parts.
• Create and maintain process plans, travelers, and supporting records under senior engineer guidance.
• Support cost estimating and quotation activities with data-driven inputs.
• Partner with Engineering, Production, Quality, Sales, and Operations to advance manufacturing projects.
• Assist with troubleshooting; participate in root-cause analysis and implement corrective actions.
• Analyze production metrics to unlock improvements in quality, throughput, and cost.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives centered on safety, quality, and waste reduction.
• Help evaluate equipment and pilot new methods and technologies on the floor.
• Spend significant time learning CNC and precision gear manufacturing directly at the machines.

Training and mentorship

You’ll receive structured coaching in precision gear manufacturing, CNC practices, and core manufacturing engineering methods. Prior full-time manufacturing experience is not required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering (or graduating within the next few months).
• Foundational knowledge of mechanical engineering and manufacturing processes.
• Comfort reading and interpreting engineering drawings.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capability with solid math skills.
• Clear communicator with good organization and collaboration habits.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office.
• Keen attention to detail and curiosity to learn new technical skills.
• Ability to work independently when needed, while thriving in a team setting.

Manufacturing or engineering internship experience is preferred but not required.

Compensation and benefits

Annual Salary Range: $90,000 – $120,000

• Health insurance: Medical, Vision, Dental and Life Insurance
• Retirement: 401(k) plan
• Paid time off: Vacation, PTO, 10 Paid Holidays

Export Controlled ITAR/EAR Compliance

Restrictions imposed by federal export control laws may limit this job opportunity to candidates who are a 'U.S. Person', which includes U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, U.S. permanent residents, individuals granted asylum in the United States, and refugees in the United States, or who otherwise can qualify for a license that permits them to hold the position.

Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States without requiring company sponsorship to obtain or keep U.S. work authorization.

**Compliance Notice: **Reliance Gear is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding employment practices. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, military status, or any other legally protected status. This position is subject to employment eligibility verification under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 and may require a background check in accordance with Illinois law. All records and practices are maintained in compliance with HIPAA, FMLA, OSHA, and other relevant regulations.

You should be proficient in:

• Bachelor's Degree
• CNC Programming
• Process Engineering
• Six Sigma Experience
• Aerospace Manufacturing