Senior Manufacturing Engineer
Location: Minniapolis, MN.
Type: Direct Hire
Salary: $ based on experience
Schedule: Full-Time, Onsite
Benefits: Comprehensive Benefits Package
Position Overview
We are seeking an experienced Senior Manufacturing Engineer to support and improve manufacturing operations across filling, kitting, packaging, and shipping.
This is a highly visible, hands-on engineering position focused on manufacturing optimization, automation, Lean Six Sigma, process improvement, and capital equipment projects. The Senior Manufacturing Engineer will work directly with production teams and cross-functional leadership to identify inefficiencies, eliminate waste, increase throughput, and improve overall manufacturing performance.
This position will also play a key role in developing and implementing an automation strategy, including robotics, vision systems, PLCs, collaborative robots (COBOTs), and digital manufacturing technologies.
Responsibilities
- Maintain a strong presence on the manufacturing floor, working directly with production employees and leadership to identify process challenges and improvement opportunities
- Identify and eliminate waste, bottlenecks, workload imbalances, unnecessary movement, rework, waiting, and inefficient handoffs
- Investigate manufacturing inefficiencies and develop solutions to improve productivity, quality, throughput, and labor efficiency
- Conduct time studies, standard labor analysis, line balancing, workload analysis, capacity analysis, process mapping, and material-flow assessments
- Develop and execute manufacturing automation strategies aligned with business objectives
- Lead automation projects through planning, design, equipment selection, build, implementation, and deployment
- Implement advanced automation technologies including robotics, vision systems, PLCs, and collaborative robots (COBOTs)
- Lead manufacturing process optimization utilizing Lean Six Sigma, continuous improvement, data analytics, and digital manufacturing tools
- Drive measurable improvements in on-time delivery, cycle time, yield, throughput, and labor efficiency
- Own capital automation projects from concept through commissioning
- Develop business cases and equipment specifications for capital projects
- Manage vendor selection and coordinate equipment FAT/SAT
- Support and lead equipment validation activities including IQ/OQ/PQ
- Partner with Quality, Operations, Supply Chain, and R&D teams to industrialize new products and scale manufacturing processes
- Establish and standardize engineering best practices, automation standards, validation protocols, and documentation
- Support digital transformation initiatives involving MES, manufacturing data systems, and smart-factory technologies
- Troubleshoot manufacturing equipment, automation systems, and processes as needed
Required Qualifications
- 5+ years of manufacturing engineering and/or automation engineering experience
- Strong manufacturing process-improvement background
- Experience implementing automation within a manufacturing environment
- Strong mechanical and electrical aptitude
- Experience with Lean Manufacturing, Lean Six Sigma, and continuous improvement methodologies
- Experience with manufacturing process analysis, time studies, line balancing, capacity analysis, and workflow optimization
- Experience managing manufacturing or automation projects from concept through implementation
- Ability to troubleshoot manufacturing equipment and automated systems
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication, and organizational skills
- Ability to work effectively across Engineering, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, and other departments
- Strong hands-on approach with the ability to spend significant time directly within manufacturing operations
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with robotics, PLCs, vision systems, and COBOTs
- Capital equipment project management experience
- Experience with FAT, SAT, IQ, OQ, and PQ
- Experience with manufacturing automation architecture and equipment integration
- Knowledge of MES and digital manufacturing systems
- Experience with smart-factory or Industry 4.0 initiatives
- Experience with Minitab, JMP, Smartsheet, and Microsoft Office
- Experience working within a medical device, life sciences, pharmaceutical, laboratory, or regulated manufacturing environment
Education & Experience
Candidates should meet one of the following combinations of education and relevant experience:
- Master's degree with 2–5 years of relevant experience
- Bachelor's degree with 5–8 years of relevant experience
- Associate degree with 10+ years of relevant experience
Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Automation, or a related technical discipline is preferred.
Working Conditions
- Full-time, onsite position during standard business hours
- Work performed within manufacturing, production, and laboratory environments
- Potential exposure to chemicals, reagents, and standard laboratory equipment
- Occasional schedule flexibility may be required based on production or project needs
Compensation & Benefits
This direct-hire opportunity offers a comprehensive benefits package that may include:
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k)
- Paid time off and paid holidays
- Life and disability insurance
- Employee development and training opportunities
- Tuition assistance and additional employee benefits
About Us
Founded in 2010, Top Prospect Group specializes in connecting high-quality candidates with top-tier clients. In 2023, we joined HW Staffing Solutions, expanding our national footprint across manufacturing, engineering, logistics, and technology.
Interested Candidates – Apply Today
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