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Entry Level R&D Mechanical Engineer Jobs in Birmingham, AL

Varsity Tutors

Mechanical Engineering Tutor

Birmingham, AL · Remote

$18 - $40/hr

... Mechanical Engineering tutors nationally. As a tutor on the Varsity Tutors Platform, you'll have ... Set your own hours and tutor as much as you'd like. * Tutor remotely using our purpose-built Live ...

Yanfeng

Quality Engineer

Mccalla, AL · On-site

$65K - $84K/yr

Support quality/dimensional control systems (i.e., X&R charts, gage studies, Six Sigma, dimensional ... Quality, Industrial of Mechanical Engineering or equivalent work experience in Quality or ...

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Entry Level R D Mechanical Engineer information

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$16

$31

$51

How much do entry level r&d mechanical engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 27, 2026, the average hourly pay for entry level r&d mechanical engineer in Birmingham, AL is $31.11, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $25.24 and $35.14 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Entry Level R&D Mechanical Engineer vs Mechanical Design Engineer?

AspectEntry Level R&D Mechanical EngineerMechanical Design Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Mechanical Engineering or related fieldBachelor's in Mechanical Engineering or related field
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, development teams, innovation-focused settingsDesign offices, manufacturing facilities, product development teams
Employer & Industry UsageResearch institutions, tech companies, R&D departmentsManufacturers, engineering firms, product companies
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding entry-level R&D roles in mechanical engineeringDifferences in design-focused mechanical engineering roles

Entry Level R&D Mechanical Engineers focus on developing new technologies and prototypes in research environments, while Mechanical Design Engineers primarily work on designing and improving existing products for manufacturing. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds but differ in daily tasks and work settings.

What are the most commonly searched types of R&D Mechanical Engineer jobs in Birmingham, AL?

The most popular types of R&D Mechanical Engineer jobs in Birmingham, AL are:

What are popular job titles related to Entry Level R&D Mechanical Engineer jobs in Birmingham, AL?

For Entry Level R&D Mechanical Engineer jobs in Birmingham, AL, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Entry Level R&D Mechanical Engineer jobs in Birmingham, AL look for?

The top searched job categories for Entry Level R&D Mechanical Engineer jobs in Birmingham, AL are:

What cities near Birmingham, AL are hiring for Entry Level R&D Mechanical Engineer jobs?

Cities near Birmingham, AL with the most Entry Level R&D Mechanical Engineer job openings:

Entry Level R D Mechanical Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Entry Level R&D Mechanical Engineer job openings in Birmingham, AL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $64,718 per year, or $31.1 per hour.

Manufacturing Engineer

Birmingham, AL

voestalpine Railway Systems Nortrak LLC
Rail Transportation
Learn more about voestalpine Railway Systems Nortrak LLCexternal

$68K - $88K/yr

Full-time

Posted 16 days ago

Job description





Join Our Team at voestalpine Railway Systems Nortrak!


Embark on a rewarding career journey with voestalpine Railway Systems Nortrak, North America's premier designer and manufacturer of special trackwork. With a legacy spanning 160 years, we lead the industry in shaping the future of rail solutions. As part of the voestalpine Railway Systems global network, we are committed to delivering quality products and services, including rails, turnouts, fastening systems, signaling technologies, and monitoring solutions. Operating with a presence across Canada, the US, and Mexico, we prioritize the well-being of our people, global mobility, and sustainability and innovation.

Our people are the foundation of our success. Skilled, motivated, and results-driven individuals shape our culture demonstrating our core values of Respect, Responsibility, Curiosity, Courage, Passion, and Diversity each day. This commitment is more than shared values; it extends to shared responsibilities for safety and quality, showing genuine care for one another's growth and development, a commitment to our customers, and fostering strong relationships within the Nortrak Team and with our customers.

We are currently looking for a Manufacturing Engineer to join our team in Birmingham, Alabama. 

 

PURPOSE OF POSITION 


The Manufacturing is responsible for designing, implementing, and optimizing manufacturing processes to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and ensure product quality. They work closely with production, quality, and engineering teams to support continuous improvement and operational excellence.

 

Safety:

  • Comply with and enforces all Nortrak safety policies and regulations.
  • Ensure full compliance with applicable safety regulations, policies, and standards across all manufacturing operations.
  • Identify, troubleshoot, and resolve equipment-related issues to mitigate potential safety risks and maintain a safe work environment.
  • Design and implement production layouts that promote safe work practices and optimal material flow.

 

Quality:

  • Develop and enhance manufacturing processes to consistently meet and exceed quality requirements.
  • Support New Product Introduction (NPI) through robust process validation, documentation, and quality planning.
  • Create, maintain, and continuously improve standard operating procedures (SOPs) and work instructions.
  • Investigate and resolve quality issues using structured problem-solving methodologies.
  • Partner with Quality teams to drive compliance and continuous improvement initiatives.
  • Reduce scrap and rework through process optimization and root cause analysis.
  • Improve production yield and product consistency.
  • Ensure adherence to all quality standards, specifications, and regulatory requirements.

 

On-Time Delivery:

  • Design and optimize production workflows and layouts to support efficient and timely operations.
  • Analyze production performance data to identify bottlenecks and implement corrective actions.
  • Drive improvements in equipment uptime and overall operational reliability.
  • Conduct capacity planning and analysis to align production output with demand requirements.
  • Ensure timely execution of projects, process implementations, and continuous improvement initiatives. 
  • Enhance overall production efficiency to support on-time delivery objectives.


Cost:

  • Identify and implement cost reduction initiatives through process improvements and waste elimination.
  • Minimize scrap and rework to reduce operational expenses.
  • Evaluate and recommend new technologies, tools, and equipment based on cost-benefit analysis.
  • Conduct time studies to optimize labor utilization and process efficiency.
  • Improve overall productivity and operational efficiency.
  • Deliver measurable cost savings through continuous improvement efforts.

 

People:

  • Lead and facilitate continuous improvement initiatives using Lean, Six Sigma, and Kaizen methodologies.
  • Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including Quality, Supply Chain, Maintenance, and R&D.
  • Develop and maintain clear, standardized documentation to support workforce training and operational consistency.
  • Support NPI efforts by coordinating across teams and providing necessary training and guidance.

 

ENVIRONMENTAL: 

  • Drive reduction of scrap, rework, and overall waste to support sustainability objectives.
  • Improve process efficiency to optimize resource utilization, including energy and materials.
  • Evaluate and implement technologies and solutions that enhance environmental performance and reduce operational impact.
  • Adhere to Nortrak's Environmental Procedures, Practices and Policies. 

Other duties as assigned. 

 

QUALIFICATIONS: 

 

EDUCATION:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related field.


FIELD OF EXPERIENCE:

  • 2+ years of experience in manufacturing or process engineering (varies by level).
  • Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes (machining, assembly, injection molding, etc.).
  • Experience with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement tools.
  • Proficiency in CAD software and/or manufacturing systems (ERP/MRP).
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
  • Excellent communication and teamwork abilities.
  • Must be responsible, attentive and detail oriented.
  • Ability to coordinate multiple tasks. 



Preferred skills: 

  • Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.
  • Experience with automation, robotics, or Industry 4.0 technologies.
  • Knowledge of statistical analysis and process control (SPC).
  • Familiarity with quality systems (ISO 9001, GMP, etc.).
  • Project management experience.

 

Physical Demand: 

  • Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer; occasional standing and walking for your scheduled shift.
  • Must remain stationary for extended periods and move throughout the building to access files.
  • Must work effectively in a noisy environment.
  • Ability to lift and move equipment or objects up to 20-25 pounds occasionally.
  • Vision requirements include close, distance, color, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
  • Occasional travel required, involving standing, walking, sitting, and driving for vary durations. 
  • Frequent use of hands and arms for dialing phones and using a computer mouse.

Company Description

voestalpine Railway Systems Nortrak, with ten production facilities across Canada, US and Mexico, is North America’s leading designer and manufacturer of special trackwork for the railway industry. As the industry’s technology leader, we take pride in providing superior products, excellent customer service and unbeatable engineering design services to our customers. We are committed to bringing innovative solutions, products, and services to our customers across rail freight and transit segments.

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