Lead Manufacturing Engineer
About The Position
Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL) is seeking a people-oriented Lead Manufacturing Engineer to join its Manufacturing Division in Lewiston, Idaho. The role provides technical leadership for new product introduction (NPI), production readiness, process improvement, and manufacturing technology development. The engineer works across engineering, operations, and product teams to help ensure products can be manufactured safely, reliably, and economically while developing the capabilities of colleagues. The position combines technical leadership, strategic problem-solving, and collaboration with stakeholders across the organization. The Lead Manufacturing Engineer guides teams through process planning, risk reduction, validation, and production launches; establishes best practices and organizational alignment; and supports complex projects through execution on schedule and within budget. The role applies Design for Manufacturing, Assembly, and Automation principles to product and process designs, and leads root-cause investigations, continuous improvement, and production transformation efforts. The engineer also mentors developing engineers and helps shape manufacturing capabilities through new engineering technologies, analytical approaches, business systems, and operational strategies. Participation in reviews, provision of technical guidance, and influence on decisions affecting performance across multiple products and facilities are central to the work. SEL designs, manufactures, and supports products and systems that protect, monitor, control, and automate electric power systems.
Requirements
- Engineering background and strong manufacturing expertise.
- Experience leading projects and cross-functional teams.
- Skills in quality, industrial, mechanical, automation, or NPI engineering.
- Ability to use data, Lean principles, and structured problem solving to deliver results.
- Effective communication skills and ability to develop others.
Nice To Haves
- Successful experience leading manufacturing readiness efforts for complex products and influencing technical direction across teams and organizations.
- Experience leading NPI programs, implementing manufacturing technologies, and driving large-scale process improvement initiatives.
- Experience with PFMEA, process capability analysis, production system design, and Lean manufacturing transformations.
- Experience with Microsoft Dynamics AX, Power BI, manufacturing software platforms, or project management tools such as Jira, Confluence, or Microsoft Project.
- Interest or experience in mentoring others, building organizational capability, and establishing best practices.
Responsibilities
- Provide technical leadership for new product introduction, production readiness, process improvement, and manufacturing technology development.
- Collaborate across engineering, operations, and product teams to support safe, reliable, and economical manufacturing.
- Lead manufacturing readiness for new products, including process planning, risk reduction, validation, and production launches.
- Drive organizational alignment, establish best practices, and guide complex projects to completion on schedule and within budget.
- Analyze product and process designs using Design for Manufacturing, Assembly, and Automation principles.
- Lead root-cause investigations, continuous improvement initiatives, and production transformation efforts.
- Mentor developing engineers and build engineering capability throughout the organization.
- Develop engineering technologies, analytical approaches, business systems, and operational strategies to improve manufacturing performance.
- Participate in reviews, provide technical guidance, and influence manufacturing decisions across products and facilities.
Benefits
- Employer-funded stock ownership plan (ESOP) and personal 401(k) options.
- Medical, prescription, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance.
- 10 paid holidays.
- Annual vacation accrual starting at 12 days.
- 9 paid sick days.
- Paid family and medical leave covering 90% of pay.
- STEM courses, apprenticeships, tuition assistance, and engineering development programs.
- Wellness, fertility, adoption, and flexible spending benefits.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
Education Level
No Education Listed
