Applications Engineering Manager Jobs in Elkhart, IN

At Cavco Industries, Inc. (NASDAQ CVCO), our 7000 team members are at the heart of everything we do. We design and produce quality, affordable factory-built homes. We are also a leading producer of park model RVs, vacation cabins and factory-built commercial structures. In addition to providing competitive pay and benefits, we provide opportunities for development and upward mobility, while investing in the communities we serve. Our values are our foundation. We’re constantly striving to diversify our teams to ensure we have the best and brightest talent. We’re deeply committed to creating an inclusive and equitable workplace where each person can contribute.

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced Senior Industrial Engineer to lead facility planning, production layout design, material flow optimization, and manufacturing equipment implementation initiatives across our home-building operations.

This role will be responsible for improving productivity, increasing plant capacity, supporting facility expansions, and driving operational excellence through strategic engineering solutions. The successful candidate will serve as a key partner to Operations and Leadership teams in planning and executing projects that improve safety, quality, throughput, and cost performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and implementation of plant layouts that support current operations and future growth.
• Develop facility expansion plans, production line layouts, and capacity improvement strategies.
• Design and optimize manufacturing flow from raw materials through final assembly.
• Lead production line balancing and labor optimization initiatives across manufacturing operations.
• Manage facility improvement projects including layout redesigns, workstation standardization, and equipment relocations.
• Identify, evaluate, and implement manufacturing equipment, material handling systems, and automation solutions.
• Conduct capacity analysis and develop manufacturing scenarios to support growth initiatives and new product introductions.
• Optimize warehouse, point-of-use inventory, and material delivery systems to improve efficiency and reduce waste.
• Develop capital expenditure justifications and lead execution of approved projects.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on productivity, labor efficiency, quality, and cost reduction.
• Utilize AutoCAD and other engineering tools to develop and maintain facility layouts and equipment plans.
• Mentor junior engineers and support the development of engineering best practices.
• Collaborate with Operations, Safety, Maintenance, Quality, Supply Chain, and Manufacturing Leadership teams to achieve business objectives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Industrial Engineering or related engineering discipline.
• 5+ years of industrial engineering experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Proven experience in plant layout design, facility planning, and process optimization.
• Strong understanding of material flow, labor standards, line balancing, and capacity planning.
• Experience managing capital projects and equipment implementation initiatives.
• Excellent analytical, project management, and communication skills.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD and Microsoft Office applications.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in manufactured housing, modular construction, RV, furniture, cabinetry, or other large-product assembly environments.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.
• Experience leading facility expansions or major production line redesigns.
• Familiarity with automation, conveyors, material handling systems, and assembly equipment.
• Experience using Power BI or other manufacturing analytics tools.

Why Join Us?

• Opportunity to lead impactful facility and operational improvement projects.
• Direct influence on manufacturing strategy and plant performance.
• Exposure to large-scale capital and expansion initiatives.
• Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits package.
• Career growth opportunities within a growing manufacturing organization.

Build the future of home manufacturing while driving world-class operational efficiency and innovation.