Lead Advanced Manufacturing Engineer

CC Industries • Blacksburg, VA

1d

About The Position

The Lead Advanced Manufacturing Engineer works with multidisciplinary project teams to assess manufacturing challenges and determine how digital technologies can address them. The role contributes to HCC’s Research & Innovation Center (2Ci), collaborating with colleagues across HCC companies, Virginia Tech, suppliers, and other research centers. It applies industrial experience to develop durable manufacturing solutions involving process monitoring and control, advanced automation, new sensing techniques, adaptive control, and motion control. The position also helps guide and develop the team and may support the employee’s growth as a future organizational leader and subject matter expert.

The engineer transforms customer specifications into proof-of-concept demonstrations, supports factory automation and coordinated systems design, and collaborates with mechanical design and manufacturing engineers to optimize system performance and machine controls. The role includes mentoring, user training, project and partner collaboration, and applying best engineering practices to automated solutions. Travel is expected 25% of the time. The stated starting salary range is $154,000–$173,000; exact compensation may vary based on skills, experience, and location.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, electrical, or similar engineering.
• At least 7 years of experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience with team leadership, project management, and tool and fixture design using SolidWorks or applicable CAD software, with a foundation in SolidWorks.
• A holistic approach to advanced manufacturing systems design and implementation, including mechanical design, system analysis, inspection requirements, and control strategies.
• Exposure to manufacturing automation systems using vision, robotics, sensors, and data analysis.
• Experience implementing Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) technologies to develop adaptive processes using actionable data-based algorithms (Industry 4.0).
• Effective communication with diverse teams and stakeholders.
• Ability to define problems and work effectively with open-ended or ambiguous problem statements and applications, adapting strategies to achieve results.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including communicating technical and non-technical ideas, active listening, and conflict resolution.
• Exposure to factory automation and coordinated drive systems, including hardware integration and programming with off-the-shelf industrial automation hardware and drives.
• Ability to contribute to systems, electrical, and mechanical design and analysis using technology tools and analytical methods.
• Collaborative, team-first approach and a proactive, positive, can-do attitude.
• Comfort with travel 25% of the time.

Nice To Haves

• Fabrication, welding, controls, and/or programming knowledge.
• Project management experience and Capex planning experience.

Responsibilities

• Transform customer specifications into proof-of-concept demonstrations.
• Assist in designing factory automation and coordinated systems, including hardware integration and programming with off-the-shelf industrial automation hardware and drives.
• Mentor individuals and groups across the broader organization.
• Collaborate with 2Ci management on planning and executing team development.
• Contribute to overall design and analysis using available technology tools and analytical methods.
• Collaborate with Mechanical Design and Manufacturing Engineers to optimize system performance and machine process sequencing for intuitive machine controls.
• Apply research to add value to manufacturing processes and product development.
• Use best engineering practices to conceive, design, and analyze automated solutions.
• Train users in system operation and diagnostics as a subject matter expert.
• Maintain a safe working environment and use safe work practices in offices, manufacturing spaces, and production facilities.
• Collaborate with and support partner companies throughout the project lifecycle.
• Apply advanced analytical and control techniques, such as statistical process control, model predictive control, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and precision motion control.
• Establish and maintain a network within partnering companies and with collaborative partners.
• Continually improve personal efficiency and skills.
• Participate in user groups and industrial societies.
• Serve as an effective steward of project budgets and schedules.
• Travel 25% of the time.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior