Manufacturing/Quality Engineer

Job Title: Manufacturing/Quality Engineer

Location: Ames, Iowa

Salary: $85-95K

Job Summary of the Manufacturing/Quality Engineer: The Manufacturing/Quality Engineer plays a key role in the development, optimization, and deployment of manufacturing processes to ensure efficient, high-quality production of products. This role focuses on process design and improvement rather than product design, with a strong emphasis on ensuring product quality and a successful handoff of new designs to the production team.

Job Duties & Responsibilities of the Manufacturing/Quality Engineer:

• Interpret engineering sketches, specifications, and other technical documentation to produce accurate and precise drawings.

• Develop, document, and refine manufacturing processes to ensure they are robust, repeatable, and cost-effective.

• Lead the design and implementation of new production methods for upcoming products and revisions.

• Collaborate with design engineering to transition product concepts into scalable manufacturing processes.

• Perform root cause analysis and implement corrective actions to improve process performance.

• Maintain and update process documentation, SOPs, and forms as required by ISO 9000 standards.

• Serve as the key liaison between product development and production, ensuring design intent is maintained through launch.

• Lead pre-production process validation, including PFMEA, control plans, and capability studies.

• Support tooling, equipment, and fixture design to ensure process readiness.

• Monitor early production runs to ensure process stability and product conformity.

• Drive quality assurance by proactively identifying process risks and implementing preventive measures.

• Apply lean manufacturing tools and methodologies to reduce waste and increase throughput.

• Support internal audits and corrective action planning related to process and product quality.

• Lead cross-functional teams in Kaizen or other improvement initiatives.

• Partner with Quality, Design, and Operations teams to ensure alignment across process requirements and customer expectations.

• Communicate effectively with internal teams and suppliers regarding process capability, improvement plans, and project timelines.

• Conduct training for operators and technicians on new processes and updated standards.

Education & Experience of the Manufacturing/Quality Engineer:

• Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline required.

• Minimum 5 years of experience in manufacturing or process engineering in an industrial setting.

• Strong background in process development, launch, and optimization.

• Experience with ERP systems (Syteline a plus) and ISO quality systems.

• Experience in industrial/heavy-duty products is a plus.

• Excellent analytical, communication, and project management skills.

• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office and CAD tools.

• Ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and manage multiple priorities under tight deadlines.

• Familiarity with lean tools such as 5S, value stream mapping, and Six Sigma preferred.

• Proficiency in ERP systems and a strong understanding of how to leverage technology to improve operational efficiencies.