Manufacturing Engineer

RFA Engineering•Mapleton, IL

30d•Hybrid

About The Position

RFA Engineering is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer to join their engineering team. This full-time position offers a full benefit package, opportunities for professional growth, direct hire by clients, and internal advancement. The selected candidate will support the development and implementation of an advanced centrifugal casting process, combining hands-on manufacturing engineering, R&D, experimental execution, and production-process improvement. The role involves establishing manufacturing parameters, conducting design of experiments, documenting results, and enhancing process safety, traceability, quality, and production flow. Approximately 75% of the work will be performed in a shop-floor environment.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering, and two or more years of relevant industrial experience. An associate degree in a related technical field with at least four years of relevant experience may also be considered.
Demonstrated commitment to manufacturing and workplace safety.
Experience interpreting engineering drawings and applying GD&T principles.
Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
Familiarity with foundry, casting, or comparable industrial manufacturing processes.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
Strong interest in hands-on engineering and manufacturing work.
Self-motivated and able to work independently with minimal supervision.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to document technical findings and clearly communicate process recommendations.
Ability to work effectively in a collaborative, cross-functional environment.
Ability to work primarily on the shop floor while wearing required personal protective equipment.
Ability to lift up to 35 pounds.
Ability to work in proximity to industrial equipment and electromagnetic fields.
Ability to travel domestically up to 25%.

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting casting, foundry, or metal-processing operations.
Experience developing or improving manufacturing processes.
Familiarity with machining processes and equipment.
Experience planning and executing design of experiments.
Experience collecting, analyzing, and presenting manufacturing or experimental data.
Experience with Microsoft Power BI.
Experience with Microsoft Power Apps.
Background supporting research and development activities in a production environment.
Experience working with manufacturing equipment and production personnel on the shop floor.
Demonstrated ability to convert experimental findings into practical manufacturing-process improvements.
Experience developing processes focused on improved safety, single-piece flow, traceability, quality, and cost reduction.

Responsibilities

Support the development and implementation of centrifugal casting processes and associated manufacturing parameters.
Prepare, inspect, and start manufacturing equipment for daily experimental activities.
Plan, execute, and document design of experiments related to casting and manufacturing-process development.
Analyze experimental results and communicate findings, recommendations, and required process adjustments.
Apply structured problem-solving methods to identify root causes and resolve manufacturing issues.
Develop and improve manufacturing processes with an emphasis on safety, quality, cost, traceability, and production flow.
Create and maintain process documentation, experiment records, technical reports, and project updates.
Review engineering drawings and apply geometric dimensioning and tolerancing principles.
Collaborate with engineers, technicians, production personnel, and other cross-functional stakeholders.
Communicate equipment needs, technical roadblocks, safety concerns, and project risks to the appropriate team members.
Participate in regular project and leadership update meetings.
Coordinate daily work and provide clear technical handoffs to team members working on subsequent shifts.
Support machining and other related manufacturing activities as project needs require.
Perform hands-on work in an industrial foundry and shop-floor environment.
Travel domestically as project needs require, up to 25%.