MANUFACTURING ENGINEER
Department: Manufacturing Engineering
Location: Nicholasville, KY
Reports To: Director of Operations
FLSA Status: Exempt
Travel: Minimal to None
Join a Legacy of Security and Innovation
For more than 160 years, Sargent & Greenleaf (S&G) has been a trusted leader in high-security locking solutions, protecting people, assets, and critical environments around the world. Our products secure everything from gun safes and commercial safes to ATMs, vaults, and highly sensitive government facilities.
As we continue to grow and innovate, we are seeking a motivated Manufacturing Engineer to join our team in Nicholasville, Kentucky. This role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact by improving manufacturing processes, supporting new product introductions, and driving continuous improvement initiatives that directly influence quality, productivity, and customer satisfaction.
Position Summary
The Manufacturing Engineer is a hands-on technical role responsible for maximizing production output, improving manufacturing and assembly processes, supporting new product introductions, and ensuring the effective use of equipment and materials. This position partners closely with Operations, Quality, Production, and Research & Development to maintain high standards of safety, quality, cost efficiency, and on-time delivery.
The ideal candidate is a problem-solver who enjoys working on the production floor, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and implementing practical solutions that improve performance and efficiency.
Key Responsibilities
Manufacturing & Process Improvement
- Develop, evaluate, implement, improve, and document manufacturing processes, tooling, equipment, and work instructions.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on safety, quality, productivity, and cost reduction.
- Analyze production workflows and recommend process improvements.
- Design and optimize equipment layouts, workflow, and workspace utilization for maximum efficiency and safety.
- Evaluate equipment and manufacturing processes to produce high-quality products at competitive costs.
New Product Introduction & Validation
- Plan and manage product quality activities during transfer from development to production.
- Support design validation, process validation, and production readiness activities.
- Conduct manufacturing feasibility reviews and develop assembly processes and tooling solutions.
- Collaborate with R&D and Product Development teams to ensure designs are optimized for manufacturability.
Technical Troubleshooting & Problem Solving
- Diagnose and resolve complex mechanical, electrical, and electro-mechanical manufacturing issues.
- Troubleshoot assembly, testing, and production line challenges to improve uptime and product quality.
- Analyze rework and scrap trends to identify root causes and implement corrective actions.
- Provide technical leadership and support for repair and troubleshooting activities involving mechanical assemblies, electrical systems, and PCBs.
Lean Manufacturing Leadership
- Lead and promote Lean Manufacturing initiatives, including:
- 5S
- SMED
- Value Stream Mapping
- Standard Work
- Continuous Improvement Events
- Train and coach production personnel on Lean principles and best practices.
Quality & Compliance
- Facilitate corrective and preventive action efforts to resolve customer and internal quality concerns.
- Support ISO 9001 quality management system implementation and maintenance.
- Partner with Quality and Operations teams to improve product quality and delivery performance.
Training & Collaboration
- Develop assembly instructions, process documentation, and standard operating procedures.
- Provide technical guidance and training to operators, assemblers, inspectors, and support staff.
- Collaborate with Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Production, and Management teams to achieve operational goals.
- Communicate manufacturing capabilities, schedules, and process constraints to business stakeholders.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelors degree in Engineering or a related technical field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- 5+ years of engineering experience in a manufacturing environment
- Working knowledge of manufacturing processes and continuous improvement methodologies.
- Strong understanding of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T).
- Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and technical documentation.
- Demonstrated troubleshooting and problem-solving skills in a manufacturing environment.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with Lean Manufacturing tools and techniques.
- Knowledge of ISO 9001 quality management systems.
- Experience creating and maintaining Bills of Material (BOMs), routings, and engineering change documentation.
- Experience using NetSuite ERP or similar systems.
- Experience designing, building, testing, or debugging mechanical, electrical, or electro-mechanical products.
- Familiarity with CNC machining and CNC programming.
- Experience conducting root cause investigations and implementing corrective actions.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
- Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Proven ability to collaborate effectively across departments.
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Ability to effectively present technical information to employees and leadership.
- Proficiency using standard business applications and manufacturing systems.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to work regularly on the manufacturing floor.
- Frequent standing, walking, and movement throughout production areas.
- Ability to occasionally lift and move materials up to 25 pounds.
- Ability to safely operate in a manufacturing environment while wearing required personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Manual dexterity sufficient to inspect, test, and troubleshoot manufacturing equipment and assemblies.
- Ability to visually inspect products, equipment, and processes to ensure compliance with quality standards.
Why Join Sargent & Greenleaf?
- Be part of an organization with more than 160 years of innovation and industry leadership.
- Work on products that protect critical assets around the globe.
- Influence manufacturing processes and operational performance.
- Participate in meaningful continuous improvement initiatives.
- Collaborate with talented professionals dedicated to quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction.
- Enjoy opportunities for professional growth and career development.
Ready to make an impact? Join Sargent & Greenleaf and help build the next generation of trusted security solutions.
We are the ASSA ABLOY Group
Our people have made us the global leader in access solutions. In return, we open doors for them wherever they go. With nearly 63,000 colleagues in more than 70 different countries, we help billions of people experience a more open world. Our innovations make all sorts of spaces - physical and virtual - safer, more secure, and easier to access.
As an employer, we value results - not titles, or backgrounds. We empower our people to build their career around their aspirations and our ambitions - supporting them with regular feedback, training, and development opportunities. Our colleagues think broadly about where they can make the most impact, and we encourage them to grow their role locally, regionally, or even internationally.
As we welcome new people on board, it's important to us to have diverse, inclusive teams, and we value different perspectives and experiences.