Associate Manufacturing Engineer

HBM Holdings•South Bend, IN

10h•Onsite

About The Position

Schafer Industries is a premier supplier of off-highway axles and differentiated precision gearing solutions. Established in 1934, Schafer Industries has locations in South Bend, IN, Roscoe, IL, Fredericktown, OH and Blacklick, OH. Schafer Industries is one of the few manufacturers of integrated axle solutions in the off-highway electric vehicle market. Schafer serves customers in a variety of end markets including off-highway vehicles, recreational vehicles, aerospace, defense, oil & gas, material handling, powertrain, electric mobility, heavy duty trucking, agriculture, and construction. Our mission is to leverage world class capabilities to deliver superior products and services to maximize the value for our customers, employees, shareholders, and communities. We are seeking a motivated, entry-level Mechanical Engineering/Technology graduate who is eager to gain hands-on experience in a manufacturing environment. This role is designed as a development opportunity where you will work directly on the production floor alongside Manufacturing Engineers and CNC Machinists to learn equipment, processes, and real-world problem solving. The goal of this position is to build a strong foundation in machining and manufacturing operations, preparing you for future growth into a Manufacturing Engineer role. This is an ideal opportunity for someone who may not have extensive experience but is driven to learn, grow, and build practical skills beyond the classroom.

Requirements

Bachelor’s or Associate degree in mechanical engineering/technology or related field
Strong desire to learn and develop in a hands-on manufacturing environment
Mechanical aptitude and curiosity about how machines and processes work
Basic understanding of engineering drawings, GD&T, and measurement tools (or willingness to learn)
Problem-solving mindset with attention to detail
Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team setting
Positive attitude, strong work ethic, and openness to feedback and coaching
Willingness to spend majority of time on the production floor and engage in hands-on learning
Adherence to all shop safety policies and procedures
Ability to occasionally lift up to 40 pounds as needed

Responsibilities

Support Manufacturing Engineers and production teams with daily operations and process improvement initiatives
Assist with CNC machine setups, including tooling changes, offsets, and basic troubleshooting
Learn to operate multi-axis CNC machines and understand machining processes. Machines include, but not limited to - Lathe, Mill, Grind, Gear cutting machines
Read and interpret blueprints and technical drawings to understand part specifications
Use precision measurement tools such as calipers and micrometers to verify part quality
Participate in continuous improvement efforts to enhance efficiency, reduce waste, and improve product quality
Maintain a safe, clean, and organized work environment in compliance with company safety standards
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to identify and solve manufacturing challenges
Perform basic machine care and support preventative maintenance activities
Document work instructions and standard work for each part by working with other team members and include visual aids for easy understanding by machine operators
Gradually take on increased responsibility in setups and process ownership as skills develop