Manufacturing Engineer 2

ARA Career•Madison, AL

20h•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 on-site role in Madison, Alabama focuses on improving production processes, developing tooling with CAD software, creating clear work instructions, and delivering cost-effective manufacturing solutions. The engineer works directly with management, engineering, program and project managers, and technicians to develop efficient workflows that turn engineering designs into delivered products. The role governs changes to manufacturing processes, tooling, equipment, and documentation to maintain process stability and configuration control. Working closely with Operations and Design Engineering, the Manufacturing Engineer 2 supports production excellence through manufacturing engineering expertise and operational process development. The position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a SECRET clearance from the U.S. Department of War and pass a National Background Check. Candidates must meet one of the following education and experience pathways: a bachelor’s degree in Engineering and 5+ years of relevant work experience; an associate’s degree in Engineering and 8+ years of relevant work experience; or, in lieu of a degree, a high school diploma and 10+ years of experience as a Manufacturing Engineer in a Department of War manufacturing field. The role includes physical activity and the ability to wear required personal protective equipment, with lifting up to 50 pounds individually and 50 pounds or more with assistance. ARA is an employee-owned international research and engineering company founded in 1979. It employs over 2,200 employee-owners and provides technical expertise and products across defense and civil technologies, software and simulation, systems analysis, environmental technologies, testing and measurement, and other areas. ARA offers competitive benefits; details are available at ara.com/benefits.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering and 5+ years of relevant work experience; or an associate’s degree in Engineering and 8+ years of relevant work experience; or a high school diploma and 10+ years of experience as a Manufacturing Engineer in a Department of War manufacturing field.
Proven track record in manufacturing-environment product launches.
Design for Manufacturing (DFM) experience and practice.
Experience evaluating manufacturing constraints, capacity, and required resources across production.
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 identify and resolve manufacturability issues on the shop floor in collaboration with Operations and Design Engineering.
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 cost of goods sold.
Ability to develop concepts of operations defining build sequence and workflow and optimizing production.
Experience creating production documentation such as 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.
Ability to obtain and maintain a SECRET clearance from the U.S. Department of War.
Must pass a National Background Check.
Must be 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 and standing for long periods, pushing, pulling, reaching, grasping, bending, climbing, stooping, holding and moving items by hand, multilimbed coordination, finger dexterity, arm-hand steadiness, and close and distance vision.
Ability 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 ERP, including Deltek Costpoint.
Experience with Solidworks PDM.
Experience with SmartSheets.

Responsibilities

Support, build, optimize, and sustain production capability and operational practices within the PMI Division.
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 technician staff 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 and streamline assembly operations to reduce labor inefficiencies and rework.
Evaluate manufacturing constraints, capacity, and required resources across the production environment.
Provide redline support to engineering drawings to resolve manufacturing discrepancies.
Provide design and manufacturing guidance for job aids, weld jigs, alignment jigs, fixtures, and tooling.
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.
Develop concepts of operations that define build sequence and workflow and optimize production.
Create production documentation, including production flow diagrams, work instructions, FMEAs, and control plans.
Apply 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.