Advanced Manufacturing Engineer

Milwaukee Tool•Grenada, MT

19h•Onsite

About The Position

Under the direction of the Advanced Manufacturing Engineering Leadership Team, this position supports the development, implementation, optimization and sustainment of manufacturing processes, mechanical systems, tooling and production equipment. The Advanced Manufacturing Engineer I works in a cross-functional environment and applies developing mechanical-engineering, process-engineering and project-management skills to improve safety, quality, delivery and cost. Working with regular direction and technical guidance, this role builds capability in process development, equipment design, tooling, validation, structured problem solving and manufacturing integration while progressing toward independent process ownership.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering or a related technical field, or an equivalent combination of technical education and directly related experience.
When a bachelor’s degree is not held, three years of directly related manufacturing, mechanical, equipment, tooling or process-engineering experience is preferred.
Foundational knowledge of mechanical systems, manufacturing processes, tooling, fixtures, gaging and technical documentation.
Working knowledge of 2D or 3D CAD such as SolidWorks or AutoCAD is preferred.
Exposure to equipment installation, commissioning, process development, validation and production troubleshooting is preferred.
Exposure to DOE, PFMEA, Control Plans, MSA, SPC, process capability, Lean Manufacturing and structured root-cause analysis is preferred.
Knowledge of pneumatics, hydraulics, industrial utilities, robotics, automation or PLC-controlled equipment is beneficial but secondary to the mechanical and process focus.
Working knowledge of Microsoft Office is required; experience with advanced Excel, data visualization or statistical-analysis software is beneficial.
Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, work across functions, complete scoped projects with guidance and translate engineering analysis into practical manufacturing improvements.
Ability to travel domestically and internationally for supplier, machine, installation and concept evaluations. Estimated annual travel is 30% to 40%, with most trips contained within one week and occasional weekend travel.
Ability to work hands-on with manufacturing equipment during development, installation, troubleshooting, commissioning and qualification.
Ability to lift a minimum of 25 pounds repeatedly to a height of 3 to 4 feet, with occasional lifting up to 35 pounds.
Ability to learn, apply and communicate technical material in an active manufacturing environment while following all applicable safety requirements.

Nice To Haves

Working knowledge of 2D or 3D CAD such as SolidWorks or AutoCAD is preferred.
Exposure to equipment installation, commissioning, process development, validation and production troubleshooting is preferred.
Exposure to DOE, PFMEA, Control Plans, MSA, SPC, process capability, Lean Manufacturing and structured root-cause analysis is preferred.
Knowledge of pneumatics, hydraulics, industrial utilities, robotics, automation or PLC-controlled equipment is beneficial but secondary to the mechanical and process focus.
Experience with advanced Excel, data visualization or statistical-analysis software is beneficial.

Responsibilities

Develop, document and improve manufacturing processes within an assigned scope using established engineering standards and appropriate technical guidance.
Learn and support assigned processes, including their safety, quality, delivery, cost, throughput, downtime, scrap and capability requirements.
Define and document process parameters, operating windows, setup requirements, inspection methods and acceptance criteria.
Use engineering trials, prototyping and structured testing to evaluate process settings, tooling concepts, materials and improvement opportunities.
Support new product introductions by evaluating manufacturability, defining process requirements, completing trials and supporting production launch.
Create and maintain work instructions, standard work, setup sheets, process specifications, training materials and technical documentation.
Research and evaluate manufacturing technologies that may improve safety, quality, throughput, flexibility, reliability or total cost.
Apply mechanical-engineering fundamentals to manufacturing equipment, machine components, mechanisms, tooling, fixtures, workholding, guarding, gaging and material-handling systems.
Use SolidWorks, AutoCAD or equivalent software to create or revise layouts, models, drawings, fixtures, tooling concepts and equipment documentation.
Perform engineering calculations and software-aided analyses appropriate to the assigned equipment, tooling or process.
Design or support the design of fixtures, gages, tooling and mechanical improvements that provide safe, repeatable and maintainable process performance.
Review drawings, tolerances, material selections, component specifications and equipment requirements with experienced engineers, suppliers and stakeholders.
Support mechanical troubleshooting of production equipment, including alignment, wear, vibration, motion, guarding, tooling, bearings, drives, pneumatics, hydraulics and related systems.
Develop equipment specifications, bills of material, spare-parts recommendations and preventive-maintenance requirements within the assigned project scope.
Collect, organize, analyze and present manufacturing data to define problems, evaluate variation and support fact-based decisions.
Use structured problem-solving methods including 5-Why, fishbone analysis, Pareto analysis and root-cause verification.
Support and progressively apply DOE, PFMEA, Control Plans, MSA, SPC, process capability and risk-assessment methods.
Develop and execute test plans, process trials and validation activities with defined objectives, methods, data requirements and acceptance criteria.
Document test results, technical conclusions, recommendations, corrective actions and implemented countermeasures.
Identify process risks, test operating limits and support the development of error-proofing, controls and sustainment methods.
Use change-control and documentation practices to ensure approved process and equipment changes are reviewed, implemented, communicated and sustained.
Participate in equipment concept reviews, design reviews, build reviews, factory acceptance testing, site acceptance testing, installation, commissioning and production qualification.
Work with equipment suppliers and integrators to clarify mechanical, process, safety, quality, documentation and acceptance requirements.
Support equipment debug, run-at-rate testing and production ramp-up to achieve defined safety, quality, cycle-time and capability targets.
Coordinate mechanical and process interfaces with controls engineers, maintenance, facilities, EHS, Quality and Operations.
Support industrial utility and process-system integration, including compressed air, vacuum, coolant, lubrication, hydraulics, pneumatics, water and process exhaust as applicable.
Confirm equipment and process improvements are sustained through standard work, training, spare parts, preventive maintenance and performance monitoring.
Lead small mechanical, process and continuous-improvement projects from concept through implementation with guidance appropriate to project risk and complexity.
Support larger equipment, automation and capital projects under the direction of experienced engineers or project leaders.
Develop and maintain project scope, schedules, action registers, technical deliverables, budgets, risk assessments and decision records.
Lead scoped improvements targeting safety, quality, throughput, downtime, scrap, ergonomics, capacity, cost and waste reduction.
Facilitate project and problem-solving meetings; document decisions, owners and due dates and drive assigned actions to closure.
Communicate project status, technical findings, risks, tradeoffs and escalation needs clearly to stakeholders and leadership.
Support capital justification, equipment procurement, installation planning, validation and project closeout.
Own assigned process outcomes, actions and deliverables; drive commitments to closure and remain accountable for results.
Communicate technical risks and concerns early, challenge assumptions with facts and provide clear professional feedback.
Build productive partnerships across Operations, Maintenance, Quality, EHS, Supply Chain, Design Engineering and AME.
Seek and implement sustainable ways to reduce risk, variation, defects, downtime, waste and manufacturing complexity.
Challenge the current state, evaluate better manufacturing methods and test solutions through disciplined experimentation.
Prioritize critical manufacturing issues, respond quickly and safely, adapt plans to business needs and maintain disciplined follow-through.