Manufacturing Process Engineer

Metal Craft Machine & Engineering•Elk River, MN

About The Position

METAL CRAFT, located in Elk River, Minnesota, is a precision machining company that provides custom precision manufacturing and innovative services to medical, aviation, space, defense, and emerging high-tech industries. The Manufacturing Process Engineer develops and implements manufacturing plans that support high-quality production while maximizing productivity and minimizing waste. The role applies lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement to improve product quality and operational efficiency across production phases. The engineer develops manufacturing processes from customer drawings, specifications, and part models; supports projects and production teams with technical expertise; and helps determine efficient, quality-focused approaches that satisfy customer and contractual requirements. The position also develops process documentation and ERP routings, identifies suitable materials, tooling, fixtures, equipment, and automation, and assists with troubleshooting, training, audits, and improvement initiatives.

Requirements

Associate degree in Machine Tool, Manufacturing Technology, or a related field.
Minimum 2–5 years of related manufacturing experience.
Knowledge of Microsoft Office products.
Knowledge of SolidWorks or similar CAD software.
Ability to read and interpret prints and efficiently use and interpret GD&T.
Excellent reading comprehension.
Excellent communication and technical writing skills.
Organized, with an aptitude for manufacturing processes.
Ability to work with people in a professional manner.
Must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States; visa sponsorship is not available.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field is strongly preferred.
Medical or Aerospace/Defense industry experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

Develop and maintain cost-effective manufacturing processes and procedures from customer drawings, specifications, and part models, ensuring customer requirements and quality standards are met.
Provide ongoing technical and manufacturability support to other departments and projects.
Develop estimates that achieve the lowest cost and shortest lead time while maintaining quality.
Coordinate assigned project activities, including support for the MRB process, root cause analysis, operations, quality, and manufacturing-process problem solving.
Recommend equipment, fixtures, tooling, and automation as needed to produce products and assemblies.
Establish detailed manufacturing procedures in the M1 ERP system and maintain part structures and routings.
Identify and support continuous improvement opportunities throughout the manufacturing process and company.
Develop and maintain documentation for projects, parts, fixtures, tooling, assemblies, and engineering and manufacturing-process changes.
Attend and participate in company and customer meetings when appropriate.
Review customer-supplied and internal documents and models for contractual requirements and manufacturability, and determine proposed courses of action to satisfy contracts.
Research and analyze materials, tools, fixtures, and processes to manufacture products efficiently.
Support the development and definition of new processes, subject to management approval and demonstrated return on investment.
Create accurate, complete process drawings and documents that communicate process requirements, meet industry and customer requirements, and mitigate potential failure modes.
Collaborate with Production and Quality to identify, propose, plan, and implement process refinements and enhancements.
Troubleshoot production-related activities within areas of expertise.
Provide training and written or verbal technical support to internal departments, suppliers, and customers.
Provide technical support during audits as necessary.
Share technical knowledge with the Engineering/Estimating team gained through project execution, research, or customer involvement.