Manufacturing Engineer 3

West Columbia, SC 29170

Employment Type: Contract to Perm Job Category: Manufacturing / Process Engineering Job Number: 47951829 Compensation: $37-43.25 / hour

Job Description

Job Title: Manufacturing Engineer
Location: Columbia, SC (100% Onsite)
Reports To: Engineering Manager / Operations Manager
Target Starting Salary: $70,000 - $105,000/year (Based on experience level)

Position Summary
We are seeking a hands-on Manufacturing Engineer to support both daily operations and strategic project initiatives in a high-volume, assembly-focused production environment. This role is ideal for someone who thrives on the manufacturing floor, driving process improvements, ensuring efficiency, and planning new assembly processes. While some CAD work may be required, this is not a design role.

Key Responsibilities
  • Support and improve day-to-day assembly operations to maximize efficiency, quality, and throughput.
  • Identify and eliminate waste through lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement initiatives.
  • Develop and implement new manufacturing processes and assembly lines for upcoming product launches.
  • Collaborate with production, quality, and maintenance teams to resolve production issues quickly and effectively.
  • Lead and support kaizen events, time studies, and root cause analysis (5-Why, Fishbone, etc.).
  • Create and maintain work instructions, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and process documentation.
  • Occasionally use CAD software to review or modify existing layouts, fixtures, or tooling (minimal design work).
  • Drive plant floor initiatives related to safety, ergonomics, and productivity.
  • Monitor and analyze key production metrics to identify trends and areas for improvement.

Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related field. Equivalent experience may be considered.
  • 2+ years of experience in a manufacturing or assembly environment (preferably high-volume or large-scale). 5+ years of expertise for higher pay levels.
  • Strong knowledge of lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement methodologies.
  • Comfortable spending the majority of the time on the production floor, interacting with operators and solving real-time issues.
  • Basic CAD proficiency (SolidWorks, AutoCAD, or similar); not a design-heavy role.
  • Strong problem-solving, communication, and organizational skills.
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities and projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.

Meet Your Recruiter

Max Francis
Technical Recruiter

Max Francis is a seasoned Engineering Recruiter specializing in the Automation Division at Sterling. With five years of invaluable experience in recruitment, Max is on a mission to help individuals find their perfect career move—one that aligns with their professional goals and supports their families.

As an Engineering Recruiter, Max excels in the Automation Division, leveraging his deep industry knowledge to connect candidates with opportunities tailor-made for their unique skill sets and aspirations. He understands that finding the right career move is a pivotal moment in people's lives, and he thrives on being a part of that journey.

What Max finds most exciting and rewarding about his work is the opportunity to guide individuals to their ideal career fit. He recognizes that this transition is an exhilarating time for most people, and he derives immense satisfaction from helping them navigate the path toward their next professional adventure.

Max's advice to job seekers is grounded in the value of connections. He believes that having a well-connected recruiter within the industry you aspire to be in can open doors to companies and positions that may not be readily available on job boards. In today's competitive job market, he encourages candidates to connect with a recruiter early in their job search journey. While he advocates for candidates to continue their independent job searches, he emphasizes the benefit of having an additional set of experienced eyes on the market.

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About West Columbia, SC

Ready to take the next step in your career? Explore exciting job opportunities in and around West Columbia, South Carolina! Nestled beside the beautiful Congaree River, this charming town offers a unique blend of Southern hospitality and modern amenities. With easy access to the vibrant arts scene at West Columbia's 701 Center for Contemporary Art or catching a show at the nearby Koger Center for the Arts in Columbia, there's no shortage of cultural experiences to enjoy. Indulge in delicious Southern cuisine at local hotspots like Carolina Strip Club and Motor Supply Co. Bistro, or unwind in nature at the scenic Riverbanks Zoo and Garden. Join the thriving workforce in this dynamic region and discover why West Columbia is the perfect place to grow both personally and professionally. Start your job search today!