Job Details

Target PR Range: 48-58/hr DOE

Summary:
The main function of a manufacturing engineer is to apply engineering theory and principles to problems of industrial layout or manufacturing production. A typical manufacturing engineer has the ability to make engineering drawings and read and interpret blueprints. We are seeking a senior-level engineering contractor to own two high-priority workstreams: validating a highly customized piece of equipment (essentially a large, custom oven) and managing an external vendor through the design and implementation of an entirely new system. This is not a narrowly technical role — it combines hands-on engineering judgment with coordination and delivery leadership.

Job Responsibilities:
* Study time, motion, methods, and speed involved in maintenance, production, and other operations to establish standard production rate and improve efficiency.
* Interpret engineering drawings, schematic diagrams, or formulas and confer with management or engineering staff to determine quality and reliability standards.
* Read worker logs, product processing sheets, and specification sheets, to verify that records adhere to quality assurance specifications.
* Aid in planning work assignments in accordance with worker performance, machine capacity, production schedules, and anticipated delays.
* Prepare charts, graphs, and diagrams to illustrate workflow, routing, floor layouts, material handling, and machine utilization.
* Observe worker using equipment to verify that equipment is being operated and maintained according to quality assurance standards.
* Observe workers operating equipment or performing tasks to determine time involved and fatigue rate using timing devices.
* Evaluate data and write reports to validate or indicate deviations from existing standards.
Equipment Validation –
* Lead formal qualification and validation of a highly customized mechanical/thermal equipment system.
* Apply structured validation discipline to non-standard, custom-built machinery with moving parts and heat-related operating conditions.
* Independently define validation scope, approach, and success criteria for equipment whose risk profile spans performance consistency, safety, and process reliability.
Project & Vendor Management –
* Act as the company-side lead coordinating an outside vendor through the design of a new system.
* Translate internal expectations into executable vendor deliverables and drive accountability throughout the engagement.
* Oversee implementation and deployment of the resulting system, not just design discussions.
* Keep workstreams on track across technical and external stakeholders.

Skills:
* Creativity, verbal and written communication skills, analytical and problem-solving ability.
* Team player and detail oriented.
* Ability to make sketches, engineering drawings and common computations.
* Ability to read and interpret blueprints, technical drawing, schematics and computer-generated reports.
* Previous experience with computer applications and software related to engineering field, such as Computer Aided Design (CAD).

Required Qualifications:
* **Senior-level engineering contractor experience** with a demonstrated ability to step in quickly and operate with minimal ramp-up.
* **Hands-on equipment validation experience**, particularly with machinery involving:
* Ovens and thermal systems
* Motors and rotating equipment
* Custom or complex electromechanical machinery
* **Strong project management discipline** — ability to plan, coordinate, and drive cross-functional workstreams to completion.
* **Vendor management experience** — proven track record of managing third-party vendors, driving accountability, and bridging internal expectations with external deliverables.
* Comfort working in **less standardized environments** where equipment is not off-the-shelf and validation approaches must be adapted.
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Ideal Candidate Profile:
* Can independently structure and drive a validation effort from ambiguity to execution.
* Brings practical breadth across mechanical, rotating, and heat-based systems — not limited to purely software, documentation-only, or narrowly regulated validation work.
* Operates with enough seniority to manage ambiguity, push external partners, and bridge engineering execution with delivery management.
* Reduces the burden on the internal team by absorbing ownership and creating structure.
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What Success Looks Like:
* The custom equipment is validated and qualified with clear, defensible results.
* The vendor-driven system design progresses on schedule with accountable deliverables.
* Internal stakeholders have reduced management overhead because the contractor owns coordination end-to-end.
* Both workstreams move forward in parallel without one blocking the other.

Education/Experience:
* Bachelor’s degree in engineering required.
* 5-7 years’ experience required.