Manufacturing Engineer
Since 1980 Star Industries has been the leading manufacturer of heavy-duty equipment attachments for the construction and building industry. Some of the largest equipment owners and operators in the United States and Canada use our innovative attachments to improve productivity, save time and reduce both capital and labor costs. Star Industries culture is top-notch, and we practice the fundamentals of a great work environment. We believe our success ultimately depends on the people that make up our company. We are fanatical about safety. We honor our commitments. We show meaningful appreciation. We treat each other like family. We find a way.
Job description
Star Industries is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer to support the planning, design, and continuous improvement of manufacturing, assembly, fabrication, and machining processes within our production facility. This role focuses on evaluating existing processes to identify waste, bottlenecks, and inefficiencies, while developing practical solutions that improve safety, quality, throughput, and reliability. The Manufacturing Engineer will help maintain facility machinery and tools to ensure optimal functionality, effectiveness, and reliability. This role will also analyze product specifications to determine the appropriate parts, equipment, tooling, and processes needed to achieve manufacturing objectives. Working under general direction, this position provides exposure to increasingly complex engineering challenges while partnering closely with Operations, Maintenance and Safety teams. Success in this role requires curiosity, accountability, and a hands-on mindset aligned with The Star Way where teamwork, continuous learning, and honoring commitments are part of how we work every day.
Job Responsibilities
Equipment Design, Development, and Integration:
- Design, develop, evaluate, and deploy manufacturing equipment, devices, fixtures, and systems to support welding, fabrication, machining, assembly, and material handling operations.
- Research, evaluate, and select equipment vendors, staying current on equipment upgrades, innovations, and emerging manufacturing technologies.
- Lead equipment installation, commissioning, validation, and handoff to operations and maintenance teams.
Manufacturing Process Engineering and Optimization:
- Plan and design manufacturing, assembly, fabrication, and machining processes to meet production, quality, safety, and cost objectives.
- Analyze product specifications, blueprints, and engineering drawings to determine required equipment, tooling, fixtures, and processes.
- Evaluate manufacturing workflows to identify waste, bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and capacity constraints.
- Apply Lean manufacturing principles, including 5S, workflow optimization, and waste elimination.
- Develop, document, and maintain standard work, process documentation, and equipment operating procedures.
Maintenance Planning and Equipment Reliability:
- Assist in preparation of preventive maintenance plans, schedules, and procedures for all manufacturing equipment.
- Provide technical support during equipment maintenance, troubleshooting, repairs, and plant shutdowns or turnarounds.
- Partner with Maintenance to improve equipment reliability, uptime, and lifecycle performance.
- Conduct failure analysis and reliability assessments to prevent recurring equipment issues.
- Support change request management for equipment modifications or process improvements.
Facility and Infrastructure Support:
- Plan, design, and support facility infrastructure and equipment modifications to meet production and growth needs.
- Utilize CAD software and BIM tools to design layouts, fixtures, tooling, and equipment modifications.
- Analyze requirements and develop cost estimates, timelines, and specifications for equipment and facility projects.
Quality, Safety, and Compliance:
- Ensure equipment and processes meet quality standards, safety requirements, and regulatory compliance.
- Support safe design principles and participate in safety reviews and hazard assessments.
- Collaborate with Safety and Quality teams to address risks, nonconformances, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Promote a clean, organized, and safe work environment aligned with Star Industries’ Safety-First culture.
Collaboration and Continuous Improvement:
- Work cross-functionally with Operations, Engineering, Maintenance, and Leadership teams.
- Support production capacity planning, workload analysis, and long-term manufacturing strategy.
- Participate in design reviews, process optimization efforts, and performance analysis initiatives.
- Uphold and model The Star Way by demonstrating accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
Company Culture and The Star Way:
- Model and reinforce The Star Way. Star Industries’ 30 fundamental behaviors by taking ownership of equipment, processes, and engineering solutions that support our people and customers.
- Promote a work environment that is casual but accountable, where engineering decisions are transparent, collaboration is expected, and continuous improvement is part of daily work.
- Celebrate team and project successes, encourage personal accountability for equipment performance and process outcomes, and help production teams understand how engineering decisions impact safety, quality, and customer commitments.
- Uphold the belief that challenges, setbacks, and equipment failures are opportunities to learn, improve, and strengthen our systems when addressed honestly, promptly, and constructively.
Job Requirements
- Experience in manufacturing equipment engineering, manufacturing engineering, or facilities engineering.
- Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes including MIG welding, fabrication, machining, assembly, and material handling.
- Experience designing fixtures, tooling, and production equipment.
- Ability to read and interpret blueprints, technical drawings, and specifications.
- Proficiency with CAD software; BIM experience preferred.
- Experience with Lean manufacturing principles, 5S methodology, and workflow optimization.
- Knowledge of preventive maintenance planning, reliability analysis, and failure analysis.
- Familiarity with environmental standards and safety regulations.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and engineering analysis skills.
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills across all organizational levels.
- Ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, and deadlines effectively.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).
- Hands-on, detail-oriented, and results-driven mindset.
- Strong commitment to safety, quality, and continuous improvement.
- Excellent attendance, reliability, and professionalism.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a cross-functional team.
Preferred Experience:
- MIG Welding processes and standards.
- Equipment research, selection, and implementation.
- Process development, documentation, and optimization.
- Manufacturing technology integration and automation.
- Highly organized, dependable, and detail oriented.
- Strong commitment to safety, quality, and team accountability.
- Excellent attendance and reliability.
- Self-motivated and results driven.
- Work with team members to meet established goals.
- Must be able to frequently stand, walk, sit, bend, stoop, kneel, lift, climb, and/or balance.
- Dependable and trustworthy.
