Manufacturing Engineering Manager

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Job Description:

Position: Manufacturing Engineering Manager

Location: Onsite in Mayodan, NC

Reports To: Senior Director, Operations

Job Summary

The Manufacturing Engineering Manager is responsible for leading the Manufacturing Engineering function to support safe, stable, and continuously improving production operations. This position provides direct leadership and development of Manufacturing Engineers while driving manufacturing excellence through process optimization, equipment and tooling improvements, lean manufacturing initiatives, and cross-functional project management.

The Manufacturing Engineering Manager will oversee the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of manufacturing systems, processes, tooling, fixtures, CNC programming, inspection methods, automation initiatives, and workflow optimization. This role partners closely with Production, Quality, Maintenance, Environmental Health & Safety (EHS), Supply Chain, and Plant Leadership to ensure operational objectives related to safety, quality, delivery, and cost are achieved.

The successful candidate will demonstrate strong technical expertise, leadership capability, project management skills, and a commitment to the Company's core values of Integrity, Respect, Innovation, and Teamwork.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Leadership and Team Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop Manufacturing Engineers.
• Establish departmental goals and objectives aligned with plant and company strategic initiatives.
• Manage employee performance through coaching, training, performance evaluations, and career development planning.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Prioritize engineering resources and assign projects to support production and business objectives.
• Promote adherence to company policies, safety requirements, and engineering standards.

Manufacturing Process Engineering

• Oversee the design, development, implementation, and improvement of manufacturing processes and systems.
• Lead efforts to improve manufacturing efficiency through workflow analysis, capacity planning, equipment utilization, and facility layout optimization.
• Ensure standardized and documented manufacturing processes are maintained and continuously improved.
• Support new product introductions and manufacturing process validation activities.
• Drive implementation of best practices in lean manufacturing, waste reduction, and operational excellence.

Tooling, Fixtures, and Equipment

• Direct the design and development of tooling, fixtures, gauges, dies, work holdings, and manufacturing equipment.
• Oversee projects involving:
  • Molding tools
  • Straightening fixtures and dies
  • Custom inspection gauges
  • CNC and assembly work holding systems
  • Tool selection and optimization
  • Automation systems and manufacturing equipment
  • Dimensional inspection systems
• Review and approve engineering designs, drawings, and specifications.
• Coordinate with vendors and suppliers for tooling, equipment, and engineering services.

Quality and Inspection Systems

• Oversee development and implementation of inspection methodologies and quality assurance processes.
• Support statistical analysis, process capability studies, and root cause investigations.
• Ensure effective use of:
  • Coordinate Measuring Machines (CMM)
  • Vision inspection systems
  • Custom gauges and inspection fixtures
• Collaborate with Quality teams to improve process capability and product quality.

Continuous Improvement and Lean Manufacturing

• Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on safety, quality, productivity, delivery, and cost reduction.
• Apply Lean Manufacturing principles and methodologies to eliminate waste and improve operational performance.
• Facilitate Kaizen events, value stream mapping activities, and process improvement projects.
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) for manufacturing engineering activities.
• Drive standardization and best-practice implementation across manufacturing operations.

Project Management

• Serve as engineering lead and project manager for manufacturing-related capital and process improvement projects.
• Develop project scopes, budgets, schedules, and resource requirements.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams to ensure successful project execution.
• Evaluate emerging manufacturing technologies and equipment opportunities.
• Track project performance and communicate status updates to plant leadership.

Safety and Regulatory Compliance

• Support and promote a safe working environment through active participation in safety initiatives.
• Ensure engineering activities comply with OSHA requirements and applicable local, state, and federal regulations.
• Partner with EHS personnel to identify and mitigate workplace hazards.
• Participate in safety training and ensure team compliance with required programs.
• Support environmental compliance efforts and sustainability initiatives.

Technical Leadership

• Maintain expertise in manufacturing technologies and industry best practices.
• Evaluate and implement new manufacturing methods, equipment, software, and automation technologies.
• Provide technical guidance and support to production, maintenance, quality, and leadership teams.
• Develop and maintain engineering standards, procedures, and documentation.

Additional Responsibilities

• Maintain professional and technical knowledge through continuing education, professional organizations, workshops, and industry networking.
• Support plant operational goals and strategic initiatives.
• Perform other duties as assigned by plant management.

Required Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related engineering discipline.

Experience

• Minimum of 5 years of manufacturing engineering experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated leadership capability and the potential to successfully lead engineering personnel and manage engineering projects.
• Demonstrated experience implementing process improvements and leading cross-functional initiatives.

Technical Knowledge and Skills

• Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes and production systems.
• Experience with CNC machining, tooling design, fixture design, and manufacturing process development.
• Proficiency with CAD and CAM software, preferably SolidWorks and Mastercam.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and GD&T.
• Knowledge of:
  • Lean Manufacturing principles
  • Statistical process control and process capability analysis
  • Root cause analysis methodologies
  • Automation systems
  • CMM and inspection technologies
  • Project management practices
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, or Business.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license.
• Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or Continuous Improvement certification.
• Experience with:
  • Powder metallurgy
  • Sintering processes
  • Heat treatment
  • Injection molding
  • Automation and robotics
  • Advanced manufacturing technologies

Additional Requirements

• Must successfully pass a drug screening and background check.
• Must be eligible to handle firearms per the Federal Firearms Act.
• Ability to work effectively in a manufacturing environment.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and projects simultaneously.
• Strong leadership, organizational, and decision-making skills.

Benefits:

• Competitive compensation package including competitive salary, profit sharing and bonus
• Heath benefits including medical, dental, and vision
• Life and Retirement benefits including 401k match, company 401k contribution, basic and supplemental life options, as well as short- and long-term disability plans
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Relocation Assistance is available for the right candidate
• Casual work environment

About the company:

Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc. is one of the nation's leading manufacturers of rugged, reliable firearms for the commercial sporting market, all made in America. For over 75 years, Ruger has been a model of corporate and community responsibility. Our motto, "Arms Makers for Responsible Citizens®," echoes our commitment to these principles as we work hard to deliver quality and innovative firearms.  Ruger has remained a global leader in offering unparalleled service, innovative technology, and providing peace of mind to our users at every step.