Rockford, IL
Order: 9772
Job Title: Manufacturing Engineer
Location: Rockford, IL
Job Type: Full-Time, DIRECT HIRE
Job Type: Full-Time, DIRECT HIRE
Shift: 1st shift (7am - 4:30pm M-F)
Compensation: $70,000 - $90,000 (Based on interview and qualifications)
We are seeking a hands-on, solutions-driven Manufacturing Engineer to improve manufacturing processes, enhance production efficiency, and support sustainable operations with a family-owned company in Rockford, IL. This role plays a key part in reducing cost, ensuring process capability, and implementing best practices throughout our machining and assembly operations.
As a Manufacturing Engineer, you’ll lead and participate in continuous improvement initiatives, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and apply lean and engineering principles to optimize safety, quality, delivery, and cost. This role is a DIRECT HIRE opportunity.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and support Continuous Improvement (CI) projects and Kaizen events focused on process optimization.
- Conduct time studies and process/machine capability analysis; recommend and implement improvements.
- Create, manage, and maintain production routings for all products.
- Ensure process capability and compliance with APQP, PPAP, and metallurgical standards to meet internal and customer requirements.
- Collaborate on in-process quality control (QC) strategies to streamline workflow while ensuring product integrity.
- Troubleshoot production and process challenges; implement corrective actions to reduce scrap and rework.
- Provide technical guidance on tooling selection, CNC program optimization, and tool life extension.
- Recommend, test, and implement tooling and fixturing solutions to improve machining efficiency.
- Contribute to capital equipment justification and layout planning for new equipment installation.
- Assist in the obsolescence and excess inventory process, repurposing materials to minimize scrap costs.
- Create and update process work instructions and support training efforts.
- Partner with Maintenance to improve and monitor the Preventative Maintenance (PM) program.
- Participate in ISO 9001 audits, process documentation, and risk assessments related to manufacturing equipment.
- Support setup reduction initiatives and process reliability programs.
- Perform other duties as assigned to support business needs.
Work Environment & Physical Demands
This position operates in a mixed office and manufacturing environment. Must be able to work at a desk for extended periods and be active on the shop floor, wearing required PPE such as safety glasses, hearing protection, and steel-toe shoes. Frequent walking, standing, and interaction with production equipment is expected.
Qualifications
Required
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (or equivalent combination of education and technical experience)
- Minimum of 3 years in a manufacturing environment
- Proficiency with 3D CAD
- Ability to read and interpret complex engineering drawings and GD&T
Preferred
- Experience with Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement practices
Familiarity with:
- Workstation design, tooling, fixtures, Kanban, and one-piece flow
- Through-feed grinding, roll forming, induction heat treat, CNC programming
Travel
- Rare, up to 5%
Schedule & Hours
- Full-time, Exempt
- Work Schedule: Monday – Friday, 7:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Total expected hours: ~45 hours/week with a 30-minute lunch break
- Occasional evening or weekend work may be required based on business needs
Compensation
- Salary Range: $70,000 – $90,000 annually
- Based on experience, education, skills, and labor market conditions
- Bonus Eligible: Quarterly bonus plan, tied to On-Time Delivery and Contribution Margin performance
- Starting at $250/quarter, with opportunities to earn up to $350 based on exceeding metrics
Benefits
Health & Wellness
- BCBS of IL Medical, Dental & Vision – effective Day 1
- Free virtual medical and mental health care (First Stop Health) for employees and immediate family
- Healthcare Savings Account (HSA)
- Paid Time Off (PTO) and 11 paid holidays
- Company shutdown between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day
- Company-paid life insurance
Financial & Retirement
- 401(k) with Safe Harbor – 3% annual contribution
- Voluntary supplemental coverage: Life, STD, LTD, Critical Illness, Accident Insurance
Growth & Culture
- Educational assistance
- Safety shoe/glasses reimbursement
- Employee referral bonus program
- Company-provided uniforms
- Monthly safety meetings
- Quarterly town halls
- Annual holiday party and regular employee events