Manufacturing Engineering Manager

**Location: **Muskegon, MI

Employment Type: Full-Time

Salary Range: $140,000–$160,000 annually, depending on experience

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Manufacturing Engineering Manager to lead our manufacturing engineering team and drive improvements in safety, quality, productivity, cost, and operational efficiency.

This role will oversee the development, implementation, and optimization of manufacturing processes, equipment, tooling, and production systems. The Manufacturing Engineering Manager will partner closely with Operations, Quality, Maintenance, Supply Chain, Product Engineering, and senior leadership to support production goals, new product introductions, capital projects, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, develop, and manage a team of manufacturing engineers and technical professionals.

• Establish departmental priorities, performance goals, project timelines, and resource plans.

• Improve manufacturing processes to increase productivity, reduce costs, improve quality, and enhance employee safety.

• Identify and eliminate production bottlenecks, waste, downtime, and process variation.

• Lead continuous improvement initiatives using Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, root cause analysis, and other problem-solving methods.

• Oversee the design, selection, installation, qualification, and optimization of manufacturing equipment, tooling, fixtures, and automation.

• Develop and manage capital equipment projects, including business cases, budgets, vendor selection, installation, and implementation.

• Support new product introductions, process transfers, capacity expansion, and production scale-up activities.

• Ensure manufacturing processes are properly documented through work instructions, process specifications, control plans, layouts, and standard operating procedures.

• Partner with Quality and Operations teams to investigate production issues and implement effective corrective and preventive actions.

• Monitor manufacturing performance metrics and communicate progress, risks, and recommendations to leadership.

• Ensure engineering projects comply with applicable safety, quality, environmental, and regulatory requirements.

• Develop and manage the manufacturing engineering budget.

• Recruit, coach, mentor, and evaluate team members while building a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or another relevant engineering discipline.

• Engineering degree is required.

• Minimum of 7 years of manufacturing engineering experience.

• Minimum of 3 years of engineering leadership, supervisory, or people-management experience.

• Demonstrated experience improving manufacturing processes in a production environment.

• Strong knowledge of Lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, root cause analysis, and process optimization.

• Experience managing capital equipment, automation, tooling, or facility improvement projects.

• Proven ability to lead cross-functional projects and manage multiple priorities.

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication, and leadership skills.

• Proficiency with engineering documentation, manufacturing metrics, and project-management tools.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Engineering, Engineering Management, Operations Management, or a related field.

• Lean Six Sigma certification.

• Experience with automated manufacturing equipment, robotics, controls, or advanced manufacturing technologies.

• Experience with CAD software, ERP systems, manufacturing execution systems, and statistical analysis tools.

• Experience working in a regulated or high-volume manufacturing environment.

• Project Management Professional certification or formal project-management training.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $140,000–$160,000 per year. Final compensation will be based on the selected candidate’s experience, qualifications, and skills.

Benefits include:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance

• Retirement plan with company contribution

• Paid time off and company holidays

• Performance-based incentive opportunities

• Professional development and tuition assistance

• Life and disability insurance

Work Environment

This position operates in both office and manufacturing environments. The role may require standing or walking on the production floor, wearing required personal protective equipment, and occasionally supporting activities outside normal business hours.