Job Title: Manufacturing Support Engineer
Position Summary
The Manufacturing Support Engineer plays a critical role in optimizing production processes, improving product quality, and ensuring operational efficiency across the manufacturing floor. This position partners cross-functionally with Operations, Engineering, Quality, and R&D to design scalable processes, implement continuous improvement initiatives, and support new product introductions. The role is highly data-driven, leveraging ERP systems and performance metrics to drive measurable business outcomes, while also supporting day-to-day manufacturing needs such as documentation, troubleshooting, and product configuration management.
Key Responsibilities
1. Process Architecture & Workflow Design
- Design and optimize assembly line layouts, workstation ergonomics, and material flow.
- Evaluate production processes to improve throughput and reduce cycle times.
- Develop and maintain detailed work instructions to standardize operations and ensure consistency across production.
- Support subassembly development to streamline production and improve efficiency.
2. Continuous Improvement & Tooling Engineering
- Develop and implement custom tooling, jigs, and fixtures to improve assembly efficiency and reduce human error.
- Lead and support initiatives such as torque specification standardization projects to ensure product quality and consistency.
- Apply error-proofing (Poka-Yoke) techniques to minimize defects and variability.
- Drive initiatives to reduce setup times and improve repeatability.
3. Data Analytics, BOM Management & Labor Standards
- Analyze ERP (NetSuite) labor data to establish and maintain accurate standard times for all work orders.
- Create, review, and implement Bill of Materials (BOM) changes to ensure product accuracy and manufacturability.
- Monitor labor performance and identify opportunities for productivity improvements.
- Support cost analysis and efficiency reporting.
4. Problem Solving, Troubleshooting & CAPA Implementation
- Troubleshoot assembly issues in real-time in collaboration with the production team to minimize downtime.
- Partner with Assembly Managers and the Quality team to identify root causes of defects.
- Provide hands-on support to the Quality team as needed, including investigations and corrective actions.
- Engineer mechanical and process-based corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).
- Ensure sustainable solutions to eliminate recurring issues.
5. Cross-Functional Collaboration (Design for Manufacturing - DFM)
- Act as a liaison between R&D and Manufacturing to ensure product designs are manufacturable, scalable, and cost-effective.
- Provide input on product design to improve assembly efficiency and reduce complexity.
- Support design iterations that enhance product integrity and production readiness.
6. Operations Support & New Product Introduction (NPI)
- Lead the transition of new products from prototype to full-scale production.
- Develop and document manufacturing processes, work instructions, and production standards.
- Ensure readiness of production teams, tooling, and systems for new product launches.
- Support pilot builds and continuous improvement during early production phases.
7. Data Integrity & ERP Management
- Audit and maintain ERP (NetSuite) routings, BOMs, and work centers to ensure alignment with actual production processes.
- Ensure accuracy of the digital manufacturing environment (“digital twin”).
- Support financial accuracy through reliable production and labor data.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in manufacturing engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field.
- 3+ years of experience in a manufacturing or production engineering environment.
- Hands-on experience with BOM management, work instruction development, and assembly troubleshooting.
- Experience with ERP systems (NetSuite preferred).
- Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement methodologies.
- Proven analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to work cross-functionally in a fast-paced environment.
Core Competencies
- Process Optimization & Lean Manufacturing
- Data Analysis & KPI Management
- BOM & Documentation Control
- Root Cause Analysis & Troubleshooting
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Manufacturing Readiness & NPI Execution