Manufacturing Engineering Manager

Bruno Independent Living Aids•Oconomowoc, WI

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Manufacturing Engineering Manager leads the Manufacturing Engineering team and advances Bruno’s manufacturing and assembly capabilities in support of safety, quality, delivery, cost, and growth objectives. This role develops and continuously improves manufacturing processes, equipment, tooling, fixtures, and production methods across Bruno’s operations. Reporting to the Director of Engineering, the Manufacturing Engineering Manager works closely with Operations, Product Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and New Product Development to improve existing manufacturing processes and successfully transition new products into production. This leader identifies and implements improvements that strengthen manufacturing performance, efficiency, and scalability through continuous improvement, technology, automation, and capital investment. The role requires strong technical leadership, effective cross-functional collaboration, and a focus on measurable operational results.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related technical discipline
Minimum of 7-10 years of progressive manufacturing engineering experience within a manufacturing environment
Minimum of 3–5 years of experience supervising engineers, technicians, or other technical professionals
Demonstrated experience developing and improving manufacturing processes, equipment, tooling, fixtures, and production systems
Experience supporting New Product Introduction and transitioning products from development into production
Experience applying Lean Manufacturing, continuous improvement, root cause analysis, and structured problem-solving methodologies
Demonstrated success working cross-functionally with Operations, Engineering, Quality, and Supply Chain to improve manufacturing performance
Experience with capital equipment justification, implementation, automation, and manufacturing technology
Strong leadership and communication skills with the ability to provide technical direction, develop team members, and work effectively across Engineering and Operations.
Demonstrated ability to analyze manufacturing challenges, apply structured problem-solving methods, and translate opportunities into practical solutions and measurable business results.
Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, equipment, tooling, automation, and production systems.
Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, Bills of Materials, equipment specifications, technical documentation, and manufacturing data.
Effective project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and lead cross-functional initiatives.
Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to effectively communicate technical information, project status, risks, and recommendations to employees, leadership, suppliers, and other stakeholders.
Proficient with Microsoft Office and relevant engineering and manufacturing systems, with the ability to leverage data and technology to improve manufacturing performance and operational effectiveness.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Engineering, Engineering Management, Business Administration, or related discipline
Experience with assembly, fabrication, welding, machining, or similar manufacturing processes
Experience with engineering and design software such as SolidWorks, AutoCAD, Inventor, or comparable 2D/3D CAD systems
Six Sigma, Lean, or other relevant technical / operational certification

Responsibilities

Lead and develop the Manufacturing Engineering team, establishing priorities and allocating resources in alignment with Engineering, Operations, and business objectives.
Provide technical leadership, coaching, and accountability while developing the capabilities of engineers and technical team members.
Establish measurable objectives for the function and ensure Manufacturing Engineering resources are focused on the highest-priority business needs.
Lead the development and continuous improvement of manufacturing and assembly processes, equipment, tooling, fixtures, and production methods.
Partner with Operations to improve safety, quality, delivery, productivity, throughput, capacity, and manufacturing cost.
Utilize Lean Manufacturing, data analysis, root cause analysis, and structured problem-solving methods to identify opportunities, eliminate waste, and deliver measurable process improvements.
Partner with New Product Engineering and other cross-functional teams to ensure products are designed for manufacturability and successfully transitioned into production.
Lead Manufacturing Engineering activities supporting new product introduction, including process development, tooling, equipment, capacity planning, and production readiness.
Identify and implement manufacturing technology, automation, equipment, and capital investments that improve current operations and support future business needs.
Partner with Operations, Quality, EHS, Supply Chain, and Engineering to resolve manufacturing issues and implement sustainable improvements.
Support manufacturing-related safety and ergonomic improvements, quality investigations, supplier initiatives, and corrective actions.
Provide technical leadership on significant manufacturing projects and effectively communicate priorities, risks, progress, and results across the organization.