Entry Level Mechanical Engineering Jobs in Exeter, NH

The Associate Manufacturing Engineer is an entry-level role on the Manufacturing & Test Engineering team, supporting production of Extreme Networks’ switching, routing, wireless, and cloud appliance products through global contract manufacturing (CM) and ODM partners. With guidance from senior manufacturing engineers, you will support Design for Manufacturability (DFM) reviews, create process documentation, assist with New Product Introduction (NPI) builds, and help improve yield, quality, and cost on the production line. This hands-on role combines process engineering, supplier collaboration, and data analysis, making it a strong starting point for a career in manufacturing, operations, or hardware engineering.

Key Responsibilities

• Support DFM, DFA, and DFx reviews for new networking hardware, including PCB assemblies and system-level products, under the guidance of senior manufacturing engineers.
• Help create and maintain manufacturing documentation, including work instructions, routings, BOMs, PFMEAs, and control plans.
• Participate in NPI builds (EVT/DVT/PVT) at CM sites and Extreme labs by collecting build data, tracking issues, and supporting resolution.
• Assist with process qualification for SMT, PTH, BGA rework, conformal coating, mechanical assembly, and box-build operations.
• Analyze production data, including yield, scrap, defect Pareto, and cycle time, to identify improvement opportunities and share findings with the team.
• Support root-cause analysis and 8D problem solving for major production issues, and track corrective and preventive actions through completion.
• Help manage ECO and MCO changes on the production line by coordinating with planning, supply chain, and CM partners.
• Assist with first-article inspections, in-process audits, and supplier process audits at ODM partner sites.
• Contribute to continuous improvement efforts using Lean and Six Sigma tools such as 5S, Kaizen, value stream mapping, and SPC.
• Help define and qualify tooling, fixtures, and assembly aids, and track project-level capital and tooling spend.
• Maintain a clean, safe, ESD-controlled work environment and follow all lab and production safety procedures.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing, Industrial, Mechanical, Electrical, or a related engineering discipline, or equivalent experience.
• 0–2 years of relevant experience, including internships, co-ops, or capstone projects in manufacturing, operations, or hardware engineering.
• Working knowledge of electronic assembly processes, including SMT, PTH, BGA, and mechanical assembly, gained through coursework, internships, or hands-on projects.
• Familiarity with engineering drawings, GD&T fundamentals, and reading BOMs and schematics.
• Proficiency with data analysis tools, with Excel required; experience with Power BI, Minitab, JMP, or Python is a plus.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly document procedures and findings.
• Curiosity, a sense of ownership, and willingness to spend time on the production floor and in the lab.

Preferred Qualifications

• Exposure to PLM or ERP systems such as Agile, Arena, Oracle, or SAP.
• Coursework or project experience with Lean, Six Sigma, statistical process control (SPC), or Design of Experiments (DOE).
• Familiarity with IPC standards, including IPC-A-610 and J-STD-001, and ISO 9001 quality systems.
• Hands-on experience with CAD tools such as SolidWorks, Creo, or AutoCAD for tooling or fixture concepts.
• Awareness of contract manufacturing models, supplier management, or global operations.
• Previous internship or co-op experience with an OEM, EMS, or CM in electronics manufacturing.

Core Competencies

• Curiosity — eager to understand processes, ask questions, and learn how products are built.
• Ownership — follows through on commitments and takes pride in production quality.
• Collaboration — works effectively with senior engineers, operators, technicians, and CM partners.
• Communication — communicates clearly, concisely, and honestly about challenges and results.
• Comfort on the floor — able to split time between desk work, the lab, and the production line.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

■ Hybrid work environment with regular time on the production floor and in lab or test settings.

■ Occasional domestic and international travel to ODM sites for builds, audits, and process support.

Compensation: This role has a market-competitive salary with an anticipated base compensation range of $65,000-$75,000 USD. The posted range reflects the amount Extreme Networks reasonably and in good faith expects to pay for this role upon hire. This range is set using objective, gender-neutral criteria based on skills, experience, responsibility, and working conditions.  Actual compensation offered will depend on the selected candidate's experience, qualifications, skills, and work location. This role is also eligible for commission on a 50/50 split,  and the full benefits package described below.

Benefits and Total Rewards:

Extreme Networks offers a comprehensive benefits package. Specific benefits vary by country and may include:

•    Medical, dental, and vision insurance

•    Flexible work schedules and work-from-home opportunities where role permits

•    Paid time off, including open time off in eligible markets and statutory leave in all markets

•    Paid holidays in accordance with local practice

•    Retirement savings programs, including 401(k) matching in the United States

•    Employee Stock Purchase Program, where eligible

•    Adoption assistance and fertility treatment support, where eligible

•    Flexible spending accounts, where eligible

•    Employee assistance program

•    Tuition reimbursement, where eligible

•    Life and disability insurance

Benefits eligibility is based on country of employment, role, and employment status. Complete benefits details will be provided during the interview process and in the formal offer of employment.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Extreme Networks, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. We are committed to taking affirmative action to employ and advance in employment qualified protected veterans, including disabled veterans, recently separated veterans, active-duty wartime or campaign badge veterans, and Armed Forces service medal veterans.

Extreme Networks also strives to prevent other, subtler forms of inappropriate behavior (for example, stereotyping) from ever gaining a foothold in our organization. Whether blatant or hidden, barriers to success have no place at Extreme Networks. We encourage people from underrepresented groups to apply.

Fair chance and background checks

Extreme Networks will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the California Fair Chance Act, Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, Philadelphia Fair Criminal Record Screening Standards Ordinance, Illinois Human Rights Act, Cook County Human Rights Ordinance, Seattle Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, and the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance. An applicant's conviction history will not be considered until after a conditional offer of employment has been made. Following any individualized assessment, applicants will be provided with the opportunity to respond before any adverse action is taken.

Extreme Networks does not seek salary history information from applicants and will not rely on salary history in determining whether to offer employment or in setting compensation.

Reasonable accommodation

Extreme Networks is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants with disabilities throughout the application, interview, and hiring process. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, please contact [insert contact email and phone]. All requests will be handled confidentially.

Use of artificial intelligence in hiring

Extreme Networks may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are made by humans. Applicants have the right to request human review of any automated decision affecting their candidacy and to request information about how their personal data is processed. To exercise these rights, please contact [insert contact email].

Data privacy

Personal data provided during the application process will be processed in accordance with Extreme Networks' Candidate Privacy Notice, which is available at https://www.extremenetworks.com/about-extreme-networks/company/legal/privacy-and-cookies-policy. For applicants in the European Economic Area, United Kingdom, and other jurisdictions with comparable data protection laws, the Candidate Privacy Notice describes your rights regarding your personal data.

About Extreme Networks

Extreme Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ: EXTR) creates effortless networking experiences that enable people and organizations to advance. We push the boundaries of technology by leveraging machine learning, artificial intelligence, analytics, and automation.

Learn more at www.extremenetworks.com, or follow us on LinkedIn, X, and Facebook.