Manufacturing Engineer - Fabrication

American Crane & Equipm•Douglassville, PA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

ACECO is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer with strong fabrication expertise to develop, optimize, and support the manufacturing processes for custom crane and material handling equipment. This hands-on role bridges engineering and production, requiring close collaboration with welders, fitters, assemblers, and designers. The ideal candidate understands the full fabrication sequence from material preparation to shipping, can read blueprints, and can bridge the gap between design intent and shop floor reality. The role involves significant time on the shop floor, focusing on improving fabrication processes, rigging and handling methods, shipping solutions, cycle time, throughput, quality, and safety. This is a hands-on role focused on steel fabrication, welding, large equipment assembly, rigging, and shipping within a custom, engineer-to-order manufacturing environment. The Manufacturing Engineer owns the development and optimization of fabrication and assembly processes, including routing, work cell layout, material flow, rigging and handling methods for large weldments, shipping provisions, and fixtures for factory acceptance tests. The role also supports capital equipment projects, ERP system transitions, and collaboration with Quality, Safety, and Supply Chain.

Requirements

Strong fabrication and welding knowledge and hands-on manufacturing process experience.
Ability to interpret blueprints, fabrication drawings, and project schedules.
Experience developing and optimizing manufacturing processes in a custom or engineer-to-order environment.
Practical understanding of rigging, handling, and moving large weldments and heavy assemblies.
Practical understanding of lean manufacturing principles applied to low-volume, high-mix production.
Experience with make-versus-buy analysis and outsourcing coordination.
Strong cross-functional collaboration with Engineering, Production, Quality, and Purchasing.
Comfort working on the shop floor alongside production teams.
Effective communication with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Initiative and ownership mindset — identifies problems and drives solutions.
Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Welding Engineering, or a closely related field strongly preferred. Associate degree with significant relevant manufacturing engineering experience will be considered. Equivalent demonstrated experience may be considered when supported by a strong technical manufacturing background.
Meaningful experience in manufacturing engineering with a focus on steel fabrication and welding processes.
Hands-on fabrication experience — understanding of welding processes (GMAW, FCAW, SAW, SMAW), fit-up, fixturing, weld sequencing, and distortion control.
Experience interpreting blueprints, fabrication drawings, weld symbols, and GD&T.
Experience with rigging engineering, heavy lift planning, or handling of large weldments and assemblies.
Experience in custom manufacturing, engineer-to-order, heavy fabrication, structural steel, or low-volume/high-mix environments strongly preferred.
Experience engineering shipping provisions — fixtures, blocking and bracing, tie-downs, preservation, and packaging for heavy or oversized components.
Experience with lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, or Six Sigma methodologies.
Experience with ERP systems and manufacturing data management.
Experience supporting capital equipment projects — drawing reviews, installation planning, vendor coordination.
Authorization to work in the United States without current or future employer sponsorship.
Ability to verify identity and employment authorization through Form I-9.
Eligibility to access information or technology governed by applicable U.S. export-control laws, including 10 C.F.R. Part 810, EAR, and/or ITAR, where applicable.
Willingness to undergo a background check in accordance with applicable laws.
Willingness to undergo a pre-employment drug screen and randomized drug testing during employment.
Ability to work full-time on-site at ACECO Plant 1 in Douglassville, PA.
Ability to meet the posted work schedule and work additional hours when manufacturing or project needs require.
Ability to maintain reliable attendance and punctuality.
Willingness to follow all company safety policies and procedures.
Willingness to wear required PPE in all designated manufacturing areas.
Willingness to complete required safety, compliance, and role-specific training.
Ability to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

Nice To Haves

Heavy equipment, crane, material handling, structural steel, bridge, or similar heavy industrial manufacturing experience is a significant advantage.
Steel fabrication and welding processes (GMAW, FCAW, SAW, SMAW).
Blueprint and fabrication drawing interpretation.
Weld symbols and GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing).
Rigging engineering and heavy lift planning.
Shipping engineering — fixtures, blocking, bracing, tie-downs, preservation.
Factory acceptance test (FAT) fixture development.
Process routing and work cell layout.
Material flow and throughput optimization.
Lean manufacturing and waste elimination.
Design for manufacturability (DFM).
Make-versus-buy analysis.
ERP systems and manufacturing data.
Capital equipment planning and installation support.
CAD software (ability to read and review).
Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook).

Responsibilities

Develop and improve manufacturing processes for steel fabrication, welding, and large equipment assembly.
Optimize routing, work cell layout, and material flow to improve throughput and reduce rework.
Lead lean initiatives tailored to engineer-to-order environments to reduce cycle time, improve first-pass yield, and eliminate waste while maintaining flexibility for custom builds.
Maintain a deep understanding of manufacturing capabilities and areas where additional oversight is prudent.
Review in-process rigging and handling methods for large weldments and assemblies, including lift points, sling selections, and below-the-hook device selections.
Coordinate engineered and critical lifts with Production Engineering as required and in advance of lifting activities.
Engineer shipping provisions for finished cranes and components, including shipping fixtures, blocking and bracing, tie-downs and restraints, and preservation and packaging requirements.
Develop and plan required fixtures, supports, and test weights for factory acceptance tests (FATs); coordinate with Production Engineering as required.
Provide manufacturing input to estimating and quoting, including labor hours and make-versus-buy decisions.
Supply and coordinate manufacturing input for design reviews and estimating.
Provide design-for-manufacturability input during design reviews.
Collaborate with Engineering and Production to redline drawings for design changes and ensure in-process components and materials are updated.
Provide routine feedback to Production Engineering on design improvements and enhancements to increase quality and efficiency.
Support CapEx projects with drawing reviews, installation planning, and coordination with necessary resources.
Collaborate on recommendations for equipment purchases to improve efficiency.
Identify new technology required to support manufacturing.
Support the transition of the ERP system by ensuring manufacturing data is accurate, structured, and maintainable.
Collaborate in the development of manufacturing KPIs and implementation of a continuous improvement mindset.
Collaborate with Safety on plant equipment and processes related to EHS.
Other duties as assigned.