Manufacturing Operations Engineer 1

Watlow•Columbia, MO

About The Position

The Manufacturing Engineer I is an entry-level role for a recent engineering graduate or early-career engineer who wants to build a career in manufacturing. Working closely with a mentor and senior engineering staff, this person supports manufacturing processes and equipment to help meet safety, quality, delivery, and cost goals, while developing the technical and problem-solving skills needed to take on greater ownership over time.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in engineering (or expected completion within the next few months).
0–1 years of related experience; relevant internships, co-ops, capstone projects, or academic lab experience are welcomed.
Basic exposure to troubleshooting electrical and mechanical issues, through coursework, internship, or hands-on projects.
A demonstrated interest in manufacturing, process improvement, or hands-on engineering work.
Foundational knowledge of manufacturing processes and methods (e.g., machining, welding, assembly, thermal processes, testing, automation, vision systems), gained through coursework, internships, or co-ops.
Familiarity with engineering tools such as CAD, GD&T, and statistical analysis (SPC, capability); willingness to develop proficiency on the job.
Basic understanding of industrial electrical and controls systems (PLCs, HMIs, VFDs, safety circuits, sensors), with eagerness to build skills to support troubleshooting alongside Maintenance, vendors, or controls specialists.
Strong problem-solving mindset and willingness to learn how to plan, validate, and sustain manufacturing processes and equipment.
Effective communication and teamwork skills, with the ability to work cross-functionally and ask for help when needed.

Nice To Haves

Coursework or internship experience in a regulated or high-reliability manufacturing environment (e.g., aerospace, medical, nuclear, semiconductor, or similar).
Exposure to Lean/Six Sigma concepts, structured problem solving, or project management through coursework or certification.
Familiarity with MES/SCADA/data collection, automated inspection (vision systems), robotics/cobots, or advanced automation concepts.
Academic or project experience involving equipment build or integration, spanning mechanical and electrical design.

Responsibilities

Support assigned manufacturing processes/value streams as a technical resource for production issues, non-conformances, and process questions, escalating to senior engineers as needed.
Help monitor process performance (scrap, rework, OEE, throughput, changeover time, labor productivity) and assist in developing corrective actions when performance deviates from target.
Participate in structured problem solving (5 Why, Fishbone, DMAIC, PDCA) alongside experienced engineers to address issues in safety, quality, delivery, and cost.
Help create and maintain clear standard work, work instructions, and training materials for operators and technicians.
Support capital equipment projects under the guidance of a senior engineer, contributing to requirements definition, vendor communication, design reviews, FAT/SAT, installation, and production ramp-up.
Assist in developing and executing equipment validation plans (process capability, gauge checks, safety, and reliability).
Help design, specify, or improve tooling, fixtures, and gaging to enhance throughput, ergonomics, quality, and ease of use.
Partner with Maintenance to learn preventive maintenance (PM) practices and support equipment reliability efforts.
Identify and help prioritize continuous improvement opportunities that reduce scrap, improve yield, increase capacity, and reduce conversion cost.
Learn and apply Lean manufacturing principles (5S/6S, visual management, standard work, flow, pull, SMED, error proofing) within assigned areas.
Assist in evaluating automation and digital solutions (e.g., robotics/cobots, automated inspection, data collection, SCADA/MES, AMRs) alongside senior engineers.
Support development of business cases (benefits, CAPEX, payback, IRR) and help track realized savings.
Support New Product Introduction (NPI) and transfers by helping define manufacturable processes, layouts, and equipment for new designs.
Participate in PFMEA, Control Plan, and process capability activities for new or changed processes.
Assist in processing engineering changes (ECR/ECO) impacting manufacturing, ensuring changes are implemented with appropriate validation, documentation, and training.
Partner with Quality to help ensure processes meet internal specifications, customer requirements, and agency/industry standards.
Support root cause and corrective action (RCCA/CAPA) activities for internal and customer issues, including documentation and communication.
Learn and follow safety, regulatory, and audit requirements related to equipment, processes, and documentation (e.g., machine guarding, LOTO, calibration, record retention).