Company Profile: 

Drilling tool manufacturer. 

Job Summary: 

The Senior Manufacturing Engineer will have expertise in advanced manufacturing techniques, automation integration, Lean Manufacturing principles and will be able to lead cross-functional teams in optimizing production workflows, implementing new technologies to improve quality, cost, process improvements and automation strategies. 

Duties / Responsibilities: 

Process Optimization & Automation 

Develop and refine CNC machining, welding, brazing, and robotic welding processes to enhance efficiency and quality;

Identify opportunities for automation and lights-out manufacturing; lead implementation projects;

Optimize machine programming, tooling selection, and process parameters to reduce cycle times and improve reliability;

Collaborate with production teams to troubleshoot issues and implement best practices. 

Lean Manufacturing Leadership 

Drive Lean Manufacturing initiatives, including Kaizen events, 5S, waste reduction, and value stream mapping;

Analyze production data to identify bottlenecks and implement process improvements;

Lead cross-functional teams to standardize processes and enhance operational efficiency;

Mentor junior engineers and production staff on Lean principles and continuous improvement methodologies. 

Project Management & Cross-Functional Collaboration 

Lead capital equipment investment projects, from justification and vendor selection, to implementation;

Work with R&D, Quality, and Operations teams to transition new products from development to full-scale production;

Collaborate with maintenance and engineering teams to ensure uptime and reliability of automated systems.

Develop and execute strategies to reduce costs, improve throughput, and enhance quality. 

Quality & Compliance 

Ensure compliance with industry standards and internal quality requirements;

Implement statistical process control (SPC) and other quality control methods to monitor process performance;

Support root cause analysis and corrective action processes for manufacturing defects;

Develop and maintain process documentation, work instructions, and training materials. 

Qualifications: 

Bachelor’s Degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related field;

Master’s Degree a plus;

5+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering, with expertise in CNC machining, automation, and lean manufacturing;

Experience with welding processes, a plus;

Proven experience in automation integration, process optimization, and lights-out manufacturing;

Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing principles, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement methodologies;

Experience with CAD/CAM software (SolidWorks, Mastercam, Fusion 360, etc.) and ERP systems;

Ability to analyze complex problems and implement data-driven solutions;

Strong leadership skills with experience mentoring and coaching engineers and production teams;

Excellent project management skills;

Astute oral and written communication and interpersonal skills;

Exceptional organizational, analytical, time management, problem-solving, multi-tasking and attention to detail skills. 

Working Hours:

8:00AM - 4:30PM, Monday – Friday  

Compensation:

$115K - $145K DOE annual base salary, for this full-time exempt position. 

Benefits:

Medical and life insurance;

23 days paid time off annually (can be used for sick and/or vacation);

6 paid public holidays;

401k profit sharing plan;

Paid education reimbursement. 

Location:

Santa Maria, CA – in-office position only