The Engineering Manager is responsible for leading all engineering functions within a sheet metal fabrication and assembly contract manufacturing plant. The company builds products to customer-provided designs and specifications, while actively identifying opportunities to improve manufacturability, reduce cost, and enhance production efficiency.
This role oversees manufacturing engineering, CNC programming, process development, tooling, documentation control, and continuous improvement initiatives. The Engineering Manager works cross-functionally with Operations, Quality, Materials, and Sales to support new product launches, resolve production challenges, and deliver cost-saving solutions to customers.
Key Responsibilities:
Engineering Leadership & Department Management:
- Lead and develop the engineering team, including manufacturing engineers, programmers, and CAD/CAM personnel.
- Establish engineering standards, documentation controls, and process consistency across the plant.
- Develop departmental goals aligned with safety, quality, delivery, and cost objectives.
- Manage engineering project priorities, workload balancing, and resource allocation.
- Mentor team members and build technical depth within the department.
Manufacturing & Process Engineering:
- Oversee development, validation, and optimization of fabrication and assembly processes including laser cutting, turret punching, press brakes, welding (MIG/TIG), hardware insertion (PEM), finishing, and mechanical assembly.
- Develop efficient manufacturing methods based on customer-supplied drawings and specifications.
- Improve setup reduction, cycle times, material utilization, and workflow.
- Support troubleshooting of complex production issues and implement root cause corrective actions.
- Evaluate and recommend capital equipment, tooling, and automation to improve throughput and reduce cost.
Customer Design Support & Cost Improvement:
- Review customer drawings and specifications for manufacturability and efficiency.
- Provide Design for Manufacturability (DFM) feedback focused on cost reduction, material optimization, tolerance alignment, and process simplification.
- Identify opportunities for value engineering without altering customer product intent or function.
- Collaborate with Sales and customers to present engineering-driven cost savings and process improvements.
- Support prototype builds and production launches to ensure smooth transition into manufacturing.
New Product Introduction (NPI):
- Lead engineering activities for new customer programs from quotation through production release.
- Ensure accurate creation of flat patterns, CNC programs, bend sequences, weld fixtures, assembly documentation, and work instructions.
- Establish accurate BOMs, routings, and labor standards within the ERP system.
- Manage engineering change orders (ECOs) and revision control based on customer updates.
- Ensure readiness of tooling, fixtures, and documentation prior to production start.
Costing & Quoting Support:
- Partner with Sales and Estimating to support accurate and competitive quotations.
- Validate material usage, labor standards, and process times.
- Drive continuous cost reduction initiatives through process improvements and waste elimination.
- Support margin improvement e orts through engineering optimization.
Quality & Compliance:
- Collaborate with Quality to ensure processes meet customer specifications and regulatory requirements.
- Support corrective actions related to manufacturing processes or documentation.
- Ensure process documentation and revision control systems remain accurate and audit-ready.
Systems & Continuous Improvement:
- Oversee CAD/CAM systems, nesting software, and CNC programming platforms.
- Ensure integration between engineering systems and ERP/MRP software.
- Lead lean manufacturing initiatives, workflow improvements, and capacity optimization efforts.
- Develop and track KPIs related to engineering throughput, cost savings, ECO cycle time, and process improvements.
Qualifications:
Education & Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or related field required.
- 7–10 years of experience in sheet metal fabrication and assembly manufacturing.
- Experience in a contract manufacturing environment strongly preferred.
- 3–5 years of engineering leadership or management experience.
Technical Skills:
- Strong knowledge of sheet metal fabrication processes, tolerances, and material properties (steel, stainless steel, aluminum).
- Proficiency in CAD/CAM software (SolidWorks, AutoCAD, nesting software, or similar).
- Experience developing routings, labor standards, and process documentation.
- Familiarity with ERP/MRP systems. Strong understanding of lean manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies.
Leadership Competencies:
- Strong project management and prioritization skills.
- Ability to lead in a fast-paced, high-mix, low-to-medium volume manufacturing environment.
- Excellent communication skills for customer and cross-functional collaboration.
- Analytical mindset focused on cost reduction and operational efficiency.
- Results-driven leadership style with strong accountability.
Work Environment:
- Combination of office and manufacturing floor environment.
- Frequent interaction with fabrication equipment and production teams.
- Occasional customer or supplier visits as needed.
Reporting Structure:
- Reports to: General Manager.