Operating Engineer Jobs in Valparaiso, IN (NOW HIRING)

Description

The Manufacturing Engineer at Polygon supports the manufacturing operations through process optimization, continuous improvement, and technical problem-solving in composite part production. Working under the direction of the VP of Industrial Manufacturing, this role ensures that production processes are stable, efficient, and capable of meeting company goals in quality, delivery, cost, and safety. The Manufacturing Engineer will collaborate with production, quality, maintenance, and design engineering to develop and sustain world-class composite manufacturing processes. 

Requirements

Duties & Responsibilities

• Develop, document, and optimize manufacturing processes for composite lay-up, curing, machining, bonding, and finishing. 
• Design and implement jigs, fixtures, molds, and process aids to ensure repeatability, ergonomics, and operator safety. 
• Support new product introductions (NPI) by creating process plans, routing steps, and tooling to enable smooth transition from prototype to production. 
• Ensure processes comply with applicable quality and engineering standards (e.g., aerospace, defense, industrial specifications). 
• Lead and participate in continuous improvement initiatives focused on scrap reduction, cycle time improvement, and yield enhancement. 
• Conduct time studies, workflow analysis, and root cause investigations to eliminate waste and resolve bottlenecks. 
• Apply Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies (5S, DMAIC, value stream mapping) to improve key manufacturing KPIs. 
• Develop, standardize, and maintain work instructions aligned with current processes.
• Support Engineering Change Orders (ECOs), ensuring accurate implementation of manufacturing documentation and routings. 
• Collaborate with design engineering to evaluate manufacturability during product development and design reviews. 
• Maintain up-to-date manufacturing documentation, including work instructions, process flows, and PFMEAs.
• Collect, analyze, and interpret manufacturing data to identify trends and improvement opportunities. 
• Perform statistical analysis (SPC, DOE) to validate process capability and reduce variability. 
• Support development of data visualization tools (e.g., Power BI, Grafana) for real-time performance monitoring. 
• Identify and support implementation of automation opportunities in composite manufacturing processes. 
• Collaborate with internal and external partners on automation integration and process control technologies. 
• Support development and maintenance of IIoT-enabled monitoring systems. 
• Partner with Quality Engineering to perform root cause analysis and implement corrective and preventive actions (CAPA). 
• Develop and validate process controls to prevent non-conformances. 
• Participate in MRB activities and provide technical input on non-conforming material disposition. 
• Perform additional duties as assigned. 
• Uphold Polygon's Core Values: Safety, Deliver Quality, Initiative, Collaboration, and Innovation.

Education & Training

•  Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Materials Engineering, or a related field.
• Experience in composite materials and processes (e.g., prepreg lay-up, resin infusion, autoclave, curing) strongly preferred.
• Industry certifications such as Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, Certified Manufacturing Engineer (CMfgE), or Composite Manufacturing certification are a plus.  

Knowledge & Experience 

Priority Experiences:

• Minimum of 2-5 years of hands-on manufacturing engineering experience in a composite or advanced materials environment.
• Proven ability to improve production processes through Lean and Six Sigma tools.
• Experience supporting cross-functional teams in a project-based environment.
• Familiarity with composite tooling design, curing processes, and material handling best practices.

Core Role Knowledge:

• Strong understanding of composite manufacturing methods, including hand lay-up, vacuum bagging, filament winding, resin transfer molding, or autoclave curing.
• Proficiency in 3D CAD software (SolidWorks, CATIA, or AutoCAD) for tooling and process design.
• Knowledge of ECO/NPI workflows and documentation requirements.
• Familiarity with ERP and MES systems; experience with Infor Syteline is a plus.
• Basic knowledge of statistical tools (DOE, SPC) and data analytics platforms (Excel, PowerBI, SQL).

Skills & Abilities

• Technical Problem Solving: Ability to identify process issues, analyze data, and implement effective technical solutions.
• Hands-On Approach: Comfortable working on the plant floor to observe, measure, and improve processes.
• Collaboration: Excellent interpersonal skills to work with production operators, engineers, and leadership.
• Attention to Detail: Strong commitment to quality, documentation accuracy, and process control.
• Adaptability: Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, high-mix environment.
• Continuous Learner: Keeps current with emerging composite technologies and manufacturing best practices.

Working Conditions

The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an associate to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, associate is regularly required sit, stand, stoop, climb, walk, use hands, and talk and hear for a minimum of eight (8) hours per day.