Manufacturing Engineer
Wabtec · Kansas City, Missouri, United States
Who will you be working with?
As a Manufacturing Engineer, you will work closely with cross-functional teams throughout the organization to support manufacturing excellence and operational performance. You will collaborate with Operations, Manufacturing, Product Engineering, Design Engineering, Quality, Maintenance, Environmental Health & Safety (EHS), Supply Chain, Finance, and Leadership teams to drive process improvements, support new product introductions, and implement capital projects. You will also interact regularly with equipment suppliers, contractors, system integrators, and other external partners to support equipment installations, automation initiatives, and production improvements.
How will you make the difference
As a Manufacturing Engineer, you will play a key role in improving safety, quality, productivity, and cost performance across our manufacturing operations. You will identify and implement process improvements, optimize production flow, support equipment reliability, and lead continuous improvement initiatives. Your expertise will help drive successful new product launches, improve manufacturing efficiency, support automation projects, and ensure accurate manufacturing data and production processes. Through collaboration and technical leadership, you will help create innovative solutions that enhance operational performance and support long-term business growth.
4800 Deramus Ave, Kansas City, MO 64120
Monday – Friday
What we want to know about you:
Minimum Qualifications and requirements: (To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.)
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline from an accredited four-year college or university, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Minimum of 2-4 years of Mechanical or Manufacturing Engineering experience in a heavy manufacturing environment.
- Experience with Lean Manufacturing principles, FMEA/PFMEA, Gemba activities, Root Cause Analysis, A3 Problem Solving, SMED, TPM, 5S, and continuous improvement methodologies.
- Proficiency with CAD software including Creo, SolidWorks, AutoCAD, or similar platforms.
- Knowledge of tooling design, machine design, manufacturing processes, and production improvement techniques.
- Working knowledge of machining practices including conventional and CNC machining, robotics, metal forming, metallurgy, and assembly operations.
- Experience developing labor standards, optimizing plant layouts, and improving manufacturing processes.
- Experience leading capital projects from concept through implementation, including budgeting, procurement, installation, commissioning, and startup.
- Experience with industrial automation systems including PLCs, HMIs, drives, sensors, robotics, and automated manufacturing equipment.
- Strong analytical, troubleshooting, project management, and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to influence and collaborate across all levels of the organization.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
- Experience working with vendors, contractors, equipment suppliers, and system integrators.
What will your typical day look like?
Manufacturing & Process Improvement:
- Optimize facility layouts, production flow, machine operations, tooling, and manufacturing processes to improve safety, quality, productivity, and cost performance.
- Support daily production by troubleshooting equipment and process issues, developing corrective actions, and implementing sustainable improvements.
- Develop, document, and maintain standard work, labor standards, manufacturing procedures, and process controls.
- Evaluate machine performance, equipment reliability, and manufacturing efficiency while identifying opportunities for improvement.
- Analyze production and operational data to identify trends, improve performance, and support management decision-making.
- Estimate production times, staffing requirements, capacities, and associated costs to support operational planning.
- Create, update, and maintain Bills of Materials (BOMs) in Oracle ERP, ensuring accuracy and alignment with engineering designs and production requirements.
- Validate and maintain material, labor, and resource data within BOMs and routings to support accurate product costing and manufacturing execution.
- Collaborate with Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, and Finance teams to implement product and process changes in a timely manner.
- Perform regular audits of BOM structures and manufacturing data to ensure data integrity and compliance with company standards.
- Analyze and resolve BOM-related discrepancies affecting production, inventory, planning, and cost calculations.
New Product Introduction & Engineering Support:
- Lead new product production implementation activities, ensuring successful integration into manufacturing operations.
- Partner with Product and Design Engineering teams to establish manufacturing routings, tooling requirements, labor standards, and process readiness for new and existing products.
- Serve as the engineering liaison for quality and manufacturing activities related to product launches, process validation, and ongoing production support.
Capital Projects & Automation:
- Lead capital expenditure (CAPEX) projects from concept through implementation, including capital appropriation development, budgeting, justification, procurement, installation, commissioning, startup, and project closeout.
- Design, program, troubleshoot, and support industrial control systems including PLCs, HMIs, drives, sensors, robotics, and automated manufacturing equipment.
- Coordinate machinery installations, equipment upgrades, production line improvements, and automation initiatives to achieve operational objectives.
- Coordinate with equipment suppliers, contractors, integrators, and vendors for equipment selection, procurement, project support, installation, and issue resolution.
- Monitor supplier performance and ensure timely delivery of purchased equipment and project-related materials.
- Manage project plans, schedules, resources, risks, and performance metrics to ensure successful execution and delivery.
Continuous Improvement & Problem Solving:
- Lead structured problem-solving activities utilizing DFMEA, PFMEA, Root Cause Analysis, A3, Lean Manufacturing, SMED, TPM, and 5S methodologies.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on reducing waste, improving throughput, increasing equipment effectiveness, and enhancing product quality.
- Collaborate with Operations, Maintenance, Quality, and Safety teams to identify and implement productivity and reliability improvements.
Safety, Quality & Compliance:
- Ensure all engineering activities comply with company quality standards, environmental requirements, and health and safety policies.
- Support EHS and QMS requirements through process documentation, continuous improvement activities, and coordination with internal stakeholders.
- Promote a safe working environment through compliance with environmental, health, and safety regulations and waste minimization initiatives.
Leadership & Influence:
- Demonstrate technical leadership through collaboration, innovation, problem-solving, and effective communication while supporting plant objectives and continuous improvement efforts.
- Work under general direction with responsibility for managing assigned projects and engineering initiatives while escalating unusual or complex issues as appropriate.
What about the physical demand of the job:
Physical Demands: (The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential