Manufacturing Engineer

Plasticade•Elkhart, IN

12d•Hybrid

About The Position

We are seeking a Manufacturing Engineer to lead manufacturing capital projects from concept through commissioning. This role involves identifying and implementing process improvements to enhance throughput, OEE, reduce scrap, and improve safety and cost. The engineer will partner with Maintenance and Production to develop Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) practices, design jigs and fixtures, and spend significant time on the production floor supporting installations, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement activities. The position requires developing technical expertise in specific molding technologies and analyzing production data to drive improvements. A working knowledge of PLC logic for troubleshooting and enhancement is also expected.

Requirements

Associates/Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial, or related Engineering discipline, OR 7-10 years relevant experience.
Experience managing manufacturing projects, including vendor coordination, budgets, schedules, installation, and commissioning.
Proficiency with SolidWorks or comparable 3D CAD software.
Strong proficiency with Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint.
Ability and willingness to spend 20–40% of working time on the production floor.
Strong analytical, troubleshooting, communication, and project-management skills.

Nice To Haves

Experience with compression molding, rubber processing, or similar manufacturing processes.
Knowledge of pumps, hydraulics, pneumatics/compressed air, and industrial equipment.
Experience with TPM, Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or other continuous-improvement methodologies.
PLC troubleshooting or programming experience.
Experience designing and implementing automated manufacturing systems.
Experience with equipment installation and field engineering.
Familiarity with material-handling systems.
Experience with 3D printing and rapid prototyping.

Responsibilities

Lead manufacturing capital projects from concept through commissioning, including scope development, equipment/vendor selection, budget management, project scheduling, installation coordination, commissioning, validation, and post-installation performance review.
Identify, prioritize, and implement process improvements that improve throughput and OEE, reduce scrap and waste, improve ergonomics and operator safety, and reduce manufacturing cost.
Partner with Maintenance and Production to develop and improve Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) practices, including preventive and predictive maintenance, equipment standards, downtime analysis, and root-cause corrective actions.
Design and implement jigs and fixtures to streamline post-production assembly and quality control processes.
Spend up to 40% of working time on the production floor supporting equipment installations, troubleshooting, process trials, test runs, mold validation, and continuous improvement activities.
Develop and maintain technical expertise in crumb rubber and liquid binder compression molding technologies.
Monitor and analyze production data to identify and target areas for continuous improvement.
Develop a working knowledge of PLC logic to troubleshoot and enhance existing systems.