Manager, Manufacturing Engineering

Crystal Group•Cedar Rapids, IA

42d•Onsite

About The Position

The Manufacturing Engineering Manager leads Crystal Group's Manufacturing Engineering team responsible for developing, implementing, and continuously improving manufacturing processes that support the production of ruggedized computing, networking, and data storage solutions. This role provides technical and organizational leadership to ensure manufacturing processes are efficient, repeatable, scalable, and aligned with quality, cost, and delivery objectives. The Manager partners closely with Product Engineering, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, and Program Management to support new product introductions, ongoing production, and continuous operational improvement. The Manager is responsible for developing the people, processes, tools, and technologies that enable manufacturing excellence, improve operational efficiency, and ensure successful production throughout the product lifecycle.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related technical field
Minimum 8 years of engineering experience with at least 3 years in management or technical leadership roles
Demonstrated experience supporting manufacturing operations and new product introductions.
Proven track record of successfully improving manufacturing processes and supporting production of complex hardware products.
Experience leading manufacturing engineering teams in a high-mix, low volume manufacturing environment
Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes including machining, sheet metal fabrication, assembly, wiring, testing, and production operations.
Experience supporting New Product Introduction (NPI).
Experience with Design for Manufacturability (DFM), Design for Test (DFT), and other flow-related focus areas.
Experience developing manufacturing work instructions, fixtures, tooling, and production documentation.
Experience implementing Engineering Change Orders (ECOs) and configuration management.
Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, root cause analysis, and continuous improvement methodologies.
Experience improving manufacturing efficiency through process optimization and automation.
Strong project management and organizational skills.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to collaborate across Engineering, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, customers, and suppliers.
Ability to work effectively within a cross-functional, matrixed organization.

Responsibilities

Lead, coach, mentor, and develop Manufacturing Engineers. Conduct performance reviews and establish employee development plans.
Manage team workload, priorities, staffing, and resource planning.
Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Recruit, onboard, and retain engineering talent.
Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of manufacturing processes, methods, procedures, and workflows.
Drive manufacturing readiness for new product introductions (NPI).
Develop manufacturing documentation including work instructions, process flows, tooling, fixtures, and production procedures.
Identify and implement production test equipment and manufacturing solutions.
Improve manufacturing efficiency through process optimization, waste reduction, and automation where appropriate.
Partner with Product Engineering to ensure designs support manufacturability, assembly, serviceability, testability, and cost objectives.
Lead Engineering Change Order (ECO) implementation supporting Operations, customers, and Engineering.
Manage End-of-Life (EOL) engineering product impacts and change activities.
Evaluate production issues and implement corrective and preventive actions to improve quality and throughput.
Manage multiple manufacturing engineering initiatives simultaneously.
Coordinate Engineering staff supporting production and new product introductions.
Collaborate with Operations, Supply Chain, Quality, Project Management, Product Engineering, and Program Management.
Support customer manufacturing requirements and technical discussions as needed.
Ensure manufacturing engineering deliverables meet quality, schedule, and cost objectives.
Lead Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives across production operations.
Drive Design for Manufacturability (DFM) , Design for Test (DFT), and other flow initiatives in partnership with Product Engineering and Operations.
Improve engineering documentation, manufacturing standards, and configuration management processes.
Evaluate and implement new manufacturing technologies, equipment, tooling, and automation solutions.
Develop manufacturing metrics and monitor process performance to identify improvement opportunities.
Support capital equipment planning and manufacturing technology roadmaps.