Position Title: Manufacturing Engineer
Reports To: Director of Engineering & Innovation
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Employment Type/FLSA Status: Full-Time – Exempt
Compensation Range - $80,000-$95,000 Annually
Job Summary
The Manufacturing Engineer is responsible for developing, implementing, and continuously improving manufacturing processes that enhance safety, quality, productivity, and operational efficiency. Reporting directly to the Director of Engineering & Innovation, this role serves as a key engineering resource supporting production operations, new product introductions, process optimization, and capital equipment initiatives.
The Manufacturing Engineer partners closely with Engineering, Production, Quality, Supply Chain, and Maintenance to improve manufacturing performance, eliminate waste, support continuous improvement initiatives, and ensure products are manufactured safely, efficiently, and consistently.
Key Responsibilities
1. Manufacturing Process Development & Optimization
· Design, develop, and improve manufacturing processes, work cells, tooling, fixtures, and equipment.
· Conduct time studies, workflow analysis, and capacity planning to improve throughput and labor utilization.
· Develop standardized work instructions, visual work aids, and manufacturing documentation.
· Identify and eliminate manufacturing bottlenecks while improving safety, ergonomics, and quality.
2. Production Support & Continuous Improvement
· Provide daily engineering support to production by troubleshooting manufacturing issues and assisting operators.
· Lead Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement initiatives to reduce waste and improve efficiency.
· Analyze production data to identify trends and implement sustainable process improvements.
· Support root cause investigations and corrective actions related to manufacturing issues.
3. New Product Introduction & Validation
· Partner with Engineering during product development to ensure manufacturability.
· Develop and validate manufacturing processes for new products and equipment.
· Write and execute equipment qualifications, process validations, and production trials.
· Support successful product launches through cross-functional collaboration.
4. Manufacturing Documentation & Engineering Support
· Create and maintain manufacturing procedures, process documentation, routing information, and engineering drawings.
· Generate and modify component, tooling, fixture, and assembly drawings using SolidWorks.
· Ensure engineering documentation complies with company standards and revision control requirements.
· Maintain accurate process documentation supporting ISO 9001 requirements.
5. Equipment & Capital Projects
· Evaluate manufacturing equipment needs and recommend improvements or new equipment investments.
· Assist with equipment selection, installation, commissioning, and optimization.
· Design fixtures, jigs, and manufacturing aids to improve quality, repeatability, and productivity.
· Support preventive maintenance and equipment reliability initiatives.
6. Cross-Functional Collaboration
· Partner with Production, Quality, Maintenance, Planning, and Supply Chain to resolve manufacturing challenges.
· Work closely with the Master Scheduler to ensure manufacturing processes support on-time customer delivery.
· Provide technical training and guidance to production employees as needed.
· Promote a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and operational excellence.
Qualifications
Education
· Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related engineering discipline preferred.
· Equivalent manufacturing engineering experience may be considered.
Experience
· 3–7 years of Manufacturing Engineering experience in a manufacturing environment.
· Experience with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement initiatives.
· Experience supporting new product introductions and process development.
· Experience with process validation, tooling, fixtures, and manufacturing documentation.
Preferred Qualifications
· Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or higher.
· Experience using ERP systems (SAP preferred).
· Proficiency with SolidWorks or similar CAD software.
· Experience supporting ISO 9001 manufacturing environments.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
· Strong understanding of manufacturing processes and process optimization.
· Excellent analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
· Ability to read engineering drawings and technical specifications.
· Strong project management and organizational skills.
· Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
· Proficient in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
· Ability to build strong working relationships across all departments.
Physical Requirements
· Ability to walk throughout a manufacturing facility daily.
· Ability to occasionally lift up to 25 pounds.
· Ability to work around manufacturing equipment and production machinery.
· Ability to sit, stand, bend, and move throughout the workday.
Success in This Role
The successful Manufacturing Engineer is a hands-on problem solver who enjoys improving manufacturing processes, supporting production teams, and implementing practical engineering solutions. This individual is comfortable working on the production floor, collaborating with employees at every level of the organization, and using data to drive continuous improvement. They take ownership of manufacturing performance while supporting the Director of Engineering & Innovation in building a culture focused on safety, quality, efficiency, and operational excellence.
Job Type: Full-time
Benefits:
Experience:
Ability to Commute:
Work Location: In person
Company Descriptionpinta elements is a global manufacturer of innovative foam solutions serving the industrial, acoustic, and medical markets. From custom-engineered components to high-performance materials, we partner with customers to deliver quality products that solve real-world challenges.Position Title: Quality Engineer
Department: Production Overhead
Reports To: Director of Engineering & Innovation
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Employment Type/FLSA Status: Full-Time – Exempt
Compensation Range - $80,000-$90,000 Annually
Job Summary
The Quality Engineer is responsible for supporting the company's Quality Management System (QMS) and ensuring products consistently meet customer specifications, internal quality standards, and regulatory requirements. Reporting directly to the Director of Engineering & Innovation, this role serves as the organization's primary quality resource by driving ISO compliance, leading quality investigations, implementing corrective actions, and supporting continuous improvement initiatives across manufacturing operations.
The Quality Engineer partners closely with Engineering, Production, Operations, Customer Service, and Supply Chain to improve product quality, reduce waste, solve manufacturing challenges, and promote a culture of quality throughout the organization.
Key Responsibilities
1. Quality Management System (QMS) & ISO Compliance
Maintain and continuously improve the company's Quality Management System (QMS) in accordance with ISO 9001 standards.Coordinate internal and external ISO audits and ensure timely completion of corrective and preventive actions.Maintain quality manuals, procedures, work instructions, forms, and training documentation.Ensure company processes remain compliant with applicable customer and regulatory requirements.2. Quality Engineering & Continuous Improvement
Monitor manufacturing processes to ensure products meet established quality standards.Analyze quality trends and identify opportunities to improve manufacturing processes and reduce defects.Lead root cause investigations using structured problem-solving methodologies such as 5 Why, Fishbone, Pareto Analysis, and CAPA.Develop, implement, and verify corrective and preventive actions.Partner with Engineering and Operations to improve product designs, manufacturing processes, and quality performance.3. Product & Process Quality
Establish inspection methods and quality control plans for incoming materials, in-process production, and finished goods.Review production documentation and inspection records for compliance.Assist in developing quality standards for new products and manufacturing processes.Ensure measuring and testing equipment is properly calibrated and maintained.4. Customer & Supplier Quality
Investigate customer quality concerns and coordinate timely resolution.Prepare quality documentation requested by customers.Work directly with suppliers to resolve material quality issues and improve supplier performance.Support supplier qualification and ongoing supplier quality initiatives.5. Data Analysis & Reporting
Track and report key quality metrics including scrap, rework, customer complaints, internal defects, and audit performance.Utilize data to identify trends and recommend process improvements.Present quality findings and improvement recommendations to the Director of Engineering & Innovation.6. Cross-Functional Collaboration
Collaborate with Engineering during new product development and product launches to ensure quality requirements are achieved.Support Operations with process improvements that enhance product quality and manufacturing efficiency.Provide quality-related training and guidance to employees as needed.Promote a culture of continuous improvement and accountability throughout the organization.Qualifications
Education
Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Quality Engineering, or a related technical discipline preferred.Equivalent manufacturing quality experience may be considered.Experience
3–7 years of Quality Engineering experience within a manufacturing environment.Working knowledge of ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems.Experience with root cause analysis, corrective actions (CAPA), audits, and statistical problem-solving.Experience supporting continuous improvement initiatives in manufacturing.Preferred Qualifications
ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) or Certified Quality Auditor (CQA).Lean Manufacturing and/or Six Sigma Green Belt certification.Experience using ERP systems (SAP experience preferred).Experience reading engineering drawings and technical specifications.Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Strong understanding of manufacturing quality systems and ISO 9001 requirements.Excellent analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.Ability to interpret engineering drawings and product specifications.Strong organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail.Excellent written and verbal communication skills.Proficient in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.Ability to build strong working relationships across all departments.Physical Requirements
Ability to walk throughout a manufacturing facility daily.Ability to occasionally lift up to 25 pounds.Ability to perform inspections within manufacturing and warehouse environments.Ability to sit, stand, bend, and move throughout the workday.Success in This Role
The successful Quality Engineer is a collaborative problem solver who enjoys improving processes and preventing issues before they occur. This individual is comfortable working on the production floor, partnering with employees at every level of the organization, and using data to drive decisions. They take ownership of the company's quality systems while supporting the Director of Engineering & Innovation in building a culture focused on continuous improvement, customer satisfaction, and operational excellence.
Job Type: Full-time
Benefits:
Application Question(s):
Experience:
License/Certification:
Ability to Commute:
Work Location: In person
Company Descriptionpinta elements is a global manufacturer of innovative foam solutions serving the industrial, acoustic, and medical markets. From custom-engineered components to high-performance materials, we partner with customers to deliver quality products that solve real-world challenges.