Mechanical / Manufacturing Engineer

Recruiting on behalf of a confidential client

Our recruiting firm is conducting a search on behalf of an established U.S.-based manufacturing company seeking a hands-on Mechanical / Manufacturing Engineer to join its engineering team.

This is a great opportunity for an engineer who enjoys more than sitting behind a computer. The ideal candidate will be involved throughout the entire manufacturing process — from design and engineering through fabrication, assembly, testing, and final delivery.

You'll work closely with machinists, fabricators, welders, assemblers, inspectors, suppliers, and project teams to turn engineering concepts into high-quality, manufacturable products.

What You'll Do

Design & Engineering

• Design mechanical components, assemblies, weldments, tooling, and fixtures using SolidWorks.
• Review and improve designs for manufacturability, cost, quality, reliability, and production efficiency.
• Perform Design for Manufacturing (DFM) reviews and recommend design improvements.
• Develop tooling, fixtures, gauges, and assembly aids.
• Create clear engineering drawings, documentation, and manufacturing requirements.

Manufacturing Engineering

• Develop manufacturing plans and processes for parts, assemblies, and complete systems.
• Create manufacturing routings, work instructions, and production documentation.
• Establish efficient production sequences and workflows.
• Develop inspection requirements and quality documentation.
• Define finishing, marking, packaging, and shipping requirements.
• Help ensure processes are safe, repeatable, and efficient.

Shop Floor & Production Support

• Work directly with machinists, fabricators, welders, inspectors, and assemblers to solve technical problems.
• Troubleshoot manufacturing and assembly issues and implement practical solutions.
• Improve machining and fabrication processes to reduce setup time and increase efficiency.
• Support first-article, in-process, and final inspections.
• Help resolve nonconformances and implement corrective actions.
• Spend meaningful time on the shop floor rather than being limited to an office environment.

Assembly, Integration & Testing

• Provide technical leadership on complex mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic, and automated systems.
• Support hands-on assembly, integration, testing, troubleshooting, and validation.
• Develop assembly and test procedures.
• Work with technicians to resolve technical challenges.
• Verify completed systems meet engineering and customer requirements.

Project Coordination

• Take technical ownership of assigned projects from engineering through delivery.
• Track schedules, engineering progress, costs, and technical risks.
• Coordinate with manufacturing, purchasing, quality, suppliers, and other internal teams.
• Communicate technical issues and solutions clearly to management and project stakeholders.
• Balance quality, cost, schedule, and manufacturability when making engineering decisions.

Suppliers & Outside Processes

• Coordinate with outside suppliers for processes such as coating, plating, heat treating, painting, specialty machining, and inspection.
• Communicate engineering requirements and specifications to suppliers.
• Help ensure outside processes meet quality and schedule requirements.

Continuous Improvement

• Identify opportunities to improve safety, quality, productivity, and manufacturing efficiency.
• Develop better engineering standards, processes, documentation, and work instructions.
• Help introduce new manufacturing technologies, tooling concepts, and production methods.
• Look for ways to make future projects easier, faster, more consistent, and more reliable.

What We're Looking For

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent relevant industry experience.
• Strong mechanical design and problem-solving skills.
• Solid SolidWorks experience.
• Practical knowledge of manufacturing processes such as:
  • CNC machining
  • Sheet metal fabrication
  • Welding
  • Mechanical assembly
• Understanding of GD&T and engineering drawings.
• Knowledge of Design for Manufacturing (DFM) principles.
• Experience designing tooling, fixtures, or manufacturing processes.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating with manufacturing and cross-functional teams.

The Ideal Candidate

This role is particularly well suited for an engineer who:

• Likes being on the shop floor and working directly with manufacturing teams.
• Enjoys solving real-world engineering and production problems.
• Can move comfortably between CAD/design work and hands-on manufacturing support.
• Understands that a great design also needs to be practical and efficient to manufacture.
• Takes ownership rather than waiting to be told what needs to be done.
• Can manage multiple projects and priorities.
• Has strong attention to detail without losing sight of the bigger picture.
• Enjoys improving processes rather than simply maintaining the status quo.

Why This Role Is Different

This isn't a traditional engineering position where your involvement ends when a drawing is released.

You'll have the opportunity to follow projects through the entire product lifecycle — design, manufacturing, fabrication, assembly, testing, troubleshooting, and delivery.

The company is looking for an engineer who can think beyond the individual part or drawing and help improve the entire manufacturing process.

If you enjoy hands-on engineering, working closely with skilled manufacturing professionals, and seeing your designs become finished products, this could be an excellent opportunity.

Our recruiting team is conducting this search on behalf of a confidential client. Client details and company information will be shared with qualified candidates during the interview process.