Associate Software Engineer Jobs in Elkhart, IN (NOW HIRING)

Manufacturing Engineer – Mechanical

Location: South Bend, IN

Employment Type: Full-Time, Permanent

Work Arrangement: Onsite

Reports To: Engineering Manager

Direct Reports: None

Position Overview

We are seeking a Manufacturing Engineer – Mechanical with hands-on experience in metal stamping and tooling to support manufacturing operations, new product launches, and continuous process improvement.

The ideal candidate will combine strong manufacturing engineering fundamentals with practical experience developing and improving stamping processes, tooling, fixtures, and production methods. This individual will work closely with Engineering, Quality, Production, and Design teams to move products from concept through production while ensuring processes are efficient, repeatable, and production-ready.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and improve manufacturing processes for production operations, with a strong focus on metal stamping.
• Evaluate stamping processes, tooling, materials, equipment, and production methods to improve quality, throughput, and cost.
• Design and develop stamping tooling, fixtures, gauges, check fixtures, and other manufacturing aids.
• Review part designs and manufacturing requirements to identify opportunities for improved manufacturability, tooling, and production efficiency.
• Create and maintain manufacturing documentation, including process plans, routings, BOMs, work instructions, prints, and tooling documentation.
• Partner with Design Engineering to ensure new products are designed for efficient and reliable manufacturing.
• Serve as a key engineering resource during new product introduction (NPI) and ensure all tooling, fixtures, processes, and documentation are completed before production launch.
• Investigate production problems using data-driven root cause analysis and implement effective corrective actions.
• Identify and lead initiatives that improve productivity, reduce scrap and downtime, lower manufacturing costs, and improve product quality.
• Support Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement projects across the production floor.
• Work with Quality and Production teams to establish and maintain capable and repeatable processes.
• Analyze production data, tooling performance, and process metrics to identify improvement opportunities.
• Assist with equipment selection, capital expenditure planning, and manufacturing cost estimates.
• Provide technical support during equipment installation, process implementation, and production ramp-up.
• Train and support production personnel on new processes, equipment, tooling, and manufacturing methods.
• Ensure manufacturing processes comply with applicable safety, quality, and company requirements.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Welding Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• 2+ years of manufacturing or production engineering experience.
• Direct experience with metal stamping is required.
• Practical knowledge of stamping processes, tooling, dies, presses, and manufacturing methods.
• Experience with tooling, fixtures, gauges, or check fixtures.
• Proficiency with CAD software and the ability to interpret and create engineering/manufacturing drawings.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, materials, equipment, and production methods.
• Experience with process improvement, troubleshooting, and root cause analysis.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and/or Six Sigma principles.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication, and project management skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting new product launches or NPI in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience with progressive, transfer, or other high-volume stamping operations.
• Experience designing or modifying stamping dies and production tooling.
• Familiarity with manufacturing simulation or process-analysis software.
• Experience with GD&T, process capability, PFMEA, control plans, and other manufacturing quality tools.
• Exposure to capital equipment selection, quoting, estimating, and budgeting.