Manufacturing Engineer

Description

STER Seating is seeking an experienced Manufacturing Engineer to support and improve production operations across our seating fabrication and assembly environment.

This role is responsible for driving continuous improvement, developing and maintaining Standard Work, conducting time studies, managing capital equipment projects, and ensuring facility and process readiness. The ideal candidate brings hands-on experience in a lean manufacturing environment and is equally comfortable on the production floor as in front of a spreadsheet or project plan.

This is a high-visibility, cross-functional role that partners closely with Production, Quality, Maintenance, and HR/Safety to eliminate waste, improve throughput, and sustain a culture of continuous improvement across all value streams.

Requirements

Key Responsibilities

Lean Manufacturing & Continuous Improvement

• Design, implement, and sustain lean manufacturing principles across all production areas, including 5S, Value Stream Mapping (VSM), Kaizen events, SMED, TPM, and Kanban.
• Lead and facilitate Kaizen and rapid improvement events involving cross-functional teams; track actions to closure and document results.
• Identify and eliminate waste (muda) in material flow, process sequencing, and workstation layouts using structured problem-solving tools (A3, 5-Why, fishbone/Ishikawa).
• Champion a culture of continuous improvement by coaching and mentoring supervisors, leads, and operators on lean tools and mindset.

Standard Work & Time Studies

• Develop, document, and maintain Standard Work instructions, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and work element sheets for all production operations.
• Conduct time and motion studies to establish accurate cycle times, takt time analysis, and line-balance assessments; use findings to optimize staffing and cell layout.
• Maintain and update Standard Work documentation as processes change, ensuring alignment between documentation and actual shop floor practice.
• Create and maintain capacity and utilization studies to support production planning and resource allocation decisions.

Capital Equipment (CAPEX) & Facilities

• Identify, justify, and manage capital expenditure projects from concept through commissioning, including business case development, ROI analysis, equipment specification, vendor selection, and installation coordination.
• Develop and submit CAPEX appropriation requests with supporting documentation including cost-benefit analysis and projected payback periods.
• Manage facility engineering projects including machine layout, material flow optimization, workstation design, and ergonomic improvements.
• Working knowledge of building systems including electrical distribution, plumbing, and HVAC — able to identify issues, coordinate repairs, manage contractors, and support facility improvement projects involving these systems.
• Serve as an internal point of contact for facility maintenance needs, working closely with outside trades and vendors to scope work, obtain quotes, and oversee project completion.
• Coordinate facility infrastructure requirements — including electrical distribution, plumbing systems, compressed air, and HVAC — with internal maintenance and external licensed contractors.
• Ensure all capital installations comply with applicable safety regulations, building codes, and OSHA requirements.

Fabrication & Assembly Process Engineering

• Provide engineering support for fabrication operations including welding, metal forming, and component sub-assembly, with a focus on process quality, repeatability, and cost.
• Design and specify tooling, jigs, fixtures, and assembly aids to improve ergonomics, quality, and cycle time.
• Review engineering drawings, BOMs, and product specifications to assess design-for-manufacturability (DFM) and provide feedback to Product Engineering.
• Support new product introductions (NPI) and engineering change orders (ECO) by developing production processes, writing work instructions, and validating new methods.
• Troubleshoot chronic production issues; lead root cause analysis and implement corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).

Process Documentation & Reporting

• Prepare and maintain engineering documentation including process flowcharts, routing sheets, work instructions, PFMEA, and control plans.
• Track, analyze, and report key manufacturing metrics including scrap and rework rates, productivity, and capacity utilization.
• Communicate project status, performance data, and improvement results to management in a clear, data-driven manner.

Safety & Quality

• Conduct ergonomic assessments of workstations and implement improvements to reduce injury risk and improve operator efficiency.
• Partner with Quality to integrate error-proofing (poka-yoke) into production processes and support PPAP, first-article inspection, and quality audits.
• Ensure manufacturing processes comply with all company safety policies, OSHA standards, and applicable regulatory requirements

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical field preferred.
• Equivalent combination of technical education (Associate’s degree or trade/vocational certification) and demonstrated hands-on manufacturing experience will be considered in lieu of a four-year degree.

Experience

• 3–5 years of progressive manufacturing engineering experience in a fabrication, assembly, or mixed-operations production environment.
• Demonstrated experience implementing lean manufacturing tools and leading Kaizen or process improvement events with measurable results.
• Hands-on experience conducting time studies, developing Standard Work, and performing line-balance and capacity analysis.
• Experience with CAPEX project management, including equipment specification, vendor evaluation, and installation oversight.
• Experience in a fabrication and/or assembly manufacturing environment strongly preferred (metal fabrication, welding, seating, furniture, or similar industries a plus).
• Facilities engineering experience — including equipment layout, ergonomic cell design, and infrastructure coordination — preferred.
• Practical experience working with or overseeing building systems including electrical, plumbing, and HVAC in an industrial or manufacturing facility strongly preferred.

Technical Skills

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Project); experience with data analysis and reporting.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, schematics, and BOMs.
• Working knowledge of CAD or plant layout tools (AutoCAD, SolidWorks, or similar) a plus.
• Familiarity with ERP/MRP systems in a manufacturing environment.
• Knowledge of OSHA safety standards and ergonomic principles applicable to manufacturing.

Competencies

• Strong problem-solving skills with a structured, data-driven approach to root cause analysis.
• Excellent communication skills — written and verbal — with ability to present technical findings to both shop-floor teams and senior leadership.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional projects and influence without direct authority.
• High level of initiative; self-directed and able to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Strong commitment to safety, quality, and continuous improvement as non-negotiable operating principles.
• Collaborative, team-oriented mindset with the ability to build credibility and trust across all levels of the organization.

Preferred Qualifications

• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification (or equivalent practical experience).
• Formal training or certification in Value Stream Mapping, TWI (Training Within Industry), or Standard Work methodologies.
• Experience in transit, bus, or commercial vehicle seating manufacturing or a closely related OEM supply environment.
• Experience working with union production workforces.