Manufacturing Engineer 2

ARA • Madison, AL

10h • Onsite

About The Position

Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer 2 to support, build, optimize, and sustain production capability and operational practices within its Prototype, Manufacturing and Integration (PMI) Division. This is an onsite position in Madison, Alabama. The engineer will improve production processes, develop tooling using CAD software, create clear work instructions, and develop innovative, cost-effective manufacturing solutions. The role works directly with management, engineering, program and project managers, and technicians to develop efficient workflows that translate engineering designs into delivered products.

The Manufacturing Engineer 2 governs changes to manufacturing processes, tooling, equipment, and documentation to maintain process stability and configuration control. Working closely with Operations and Design Engineering, the role applies manufacturing engineering expertise and develops operational processes to drive production excellence. The position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Department of War SECRET clearance and pass a National Background Check.

ARA is an employee-owned international research and engineering company founded in 1979. It employs more than 2,200 employee-owners and provides technical expertise and products across areas including defense and civil technologies, software and simulation, systems analysis, environmental technologies, and testing and measurement. ARA states that it offers competitive benefits, with details available on its benefits website.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering and 5 or more years of relevant work experience; or an Associate's degree in Engineering and 8 or more years of relevant work experience; or, in lieu of a degree, a high school diploma and 10 or more years of experience as a Manufacturing Engineer in a Department of War manufacturing field.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a SECRET clearance from the U.S. Department of War.
• Must pass a National Background Check.
• Proven track record in manufacturing-environment product launches.
• Experience and practice with Design for Manufacturing (DFM).
• Experience evaluating manufacturing constraints, capacity, and required resources across a production environment.
• Experience providing redline support to engineering drawings to resolve manufacturing discrepancies.
• Experience providing design and manufacturing guidance for job aids, weld jigs, alignment jigs, fixtures, and tooling.
• Ability to own and govern the mBOM and/or Bill of Process throughout the product lifecycle.
• Experience identifying and implementing operational metrics and concepts to reduce COGS.
• Experience creating production documentation, including production flow diagrams, work instructions, FMEAs, and control plans.
• Proven experience in process mapping, lean manufacturing, PFMEA, root cause analysis, and structured problem-solving.
• Experience using SOLIDWORKS CAD software.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Physically capable of wearing required personal protective equipment, including safety glasses, respirator, safety shoes, hearing protection, and hand protection as required.
• Ability to perform work involving sitting for extended periods, pushing, pulling, standing for extended periods, reaching, grasping, bending, climbing, stooping, holding and moving items by hand, multilimbed coordination, finger dexterity, arm-hand steadiness, and close- and distance-vision tasks; able to lift up to 50 pounds individually and 50 pounds or more with assistance.

Nice To Haves

• Active/current SECRET clearance from the U.S. Department of War.
• Lean Manufacturing or Quality certifications.
• Familiarity with the defense manufacturing industry.
• Experience with Deltek Costpoint ERP.
• Experience with SOLIDWORKS PDM.
• Experience with SmartSheets.

Responsibilities

• Improve production processes and develop tooling using CAD software.
• Create clear work instructions and cost-effective manufacturing solutions.
• Work with management, engineering, program and project managers, and technicians to develop efficient workflows that convert engineering designs into delivered products.
• Govern changes to manufacturing processes, tooling, equipment, and documentation to maintain process stability and configuration control.
• Identify production-cell and plant-layout opportunities, determine optimal layouts, and streamline assembly operations to reduce labor inefficiencies and rework.
• Evaluate manufacturing constraints, capacity, and resource needs across the production environment.
• Provide redline support to engineering drawings to resolve manufacturing discrepancies.
• Provide design and manufacturing guidance for job aids, weld and alignment jigs, fixtures, and tooling that improve accuracy, repeatability, and efficiency.
• Identify and resolve shop-floor manufacturability issues in collaboration with Operations and Design Engineering.
• Own and govern the Manufacturing Bill of Materials (mBOM) and/or Bill of Process throughout the product lifecycle.
• Identify and implement operational metrics and concepts to reduce cost of goods sold (COGS).
• Develop concepts of operations (CONOPs) defining build sequence and workflow and optimizing production.
• Create production documentation, including production flow diagrams, work instructions, FMEAs, and control plans.
• Use process mapping, lean manufacturing, PFMEA, root cause analysis, and structured problem-solving.
• Assist in troubleshooting and resolving manufacturing issues to support smooth production operations.
• Independently determine and develop approaches to solutions.
• Wear required personal protective equipment and perform the physical activities required by the role, including lifting up to 50 pounds individually and heavier items with assistance.

Benefits

• ARA offers competitive benefits that address employees’ needs now and in the future; the posting directs applicants to the company benefits website for details.

What This Job Offers

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