Manufacturing Engineer

Join a dynamic process manufacturing team in the heart of Minnesota's lake country. As our Industrial Engineer, you will be the engine behind operational excellence — driving efficiency, reducing waste, and partnering with both Production and Quality to build a world-class manufacturing environment. If you thrive in a fast-paced shop floor setting and want to live where the lakes, forests, and hunting grounds are right out your back door, this is your role.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct time studies and work measurement analysis across production operations to establish accurate labor standards
• Identify, develop, and implement process improvements to drive efficiency, reduce cycle times, and eliminate waste
• Partner with the Production team to design and optimize workflows, line layouts, and standard operating procedures
• Collaborate with the Quality department to integrate quality checkpoints into production processes and support root cause analysis
• Analyze production data and metrics; develop dashboards and reporting tools to track KPIs and improvement initiatives
• Lead and participate in continuous improvement (CI) events including kaizen, value stream mapping, and 5S activities
• Support new product introductions by developing process documentation, work instructions, and capacity planning models
• Work cross-functionally with maintenance, supply chain, and operations leadership to resolve production bottlenecks

Qualifications

• 2–6 years of industrial engineering experience in a process or discrete manufacturing environment
• Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related field preferred
• Proven experience conducting time studies and developing labor/efficiency standards
• Hands-on knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or other CI methodologies
• Strong analytical skills; proficiency with data analysis tools (Excel, Minitab, or similar)
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, process flow diagrams, and plant layouts
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills — comfortable working on the production floor and in the boardroom
• Self-starter with strong project management skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working directly with a Quality department on SPC, FMEA, or corrective action processes
• Familiarity with ERP systems (Netsuite, or similar)
• Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification is preferred

Why Walker, Minnesota?

Walker is nestled on the shores of Leech Lake — one of Minnesota's largest and most renowned walleye fisheries — and is surrounded by the Chippewa National Forest. Whether you're an avid deer hunter, waterfowl enthusiast, ice fisherman, or simply love life on the water, Walker delivers an unmatched outdoor lifestyle. Small-town charm, low cost of living, and a strong sense of community make this a place where families put down deep roots.

Relocation assistance is available for the right candidate.