Process Engineering Manager Jobs in Little Rock, AR

Position Summary The Manufacturing Engineer - Capital Projects, CNC & Automation is responsible for driving operational excellence through the design, implementation, and optimization of manufacturing processes, CNC machining applications, automation systems, and capital investment projects. This role serves as a technical leader focused on increasing productivity, quality, safety, and capacity through the application of modern manufacturing technologies and continuous improvement methodologies. The position works cross-functionally with Operations, Maintenance, Quality, Supply Chain, and Finance to identify opportunities, develop business cases, and execute projects that support long-term growth and competitive advantage. Key Responsibilities Capital Project Leadership Identify, develop, justify, and execute capital expenditure (CAPEX) projects supporting safety, quality, productivity, capacity, and cost reduction objectives. Develop project scopes, equipment specifications, facility layouts, and technical requirements. Prepare capital appropriation requests, including ROI, payback, NPV, and productivity analyses. Lead projects from concept through commissioning, startup, and final acceptance. Manage vendor selection, equipment procurement, contractor activities, and installation schedules. Monitor project budgets, timelines, and deliverables to ensure successful execution. Support facility modernization, equipment upgrades, and manufacturing technology roadmaps. CNC Manufacturing & Process Engineering Develop, optimize, and troubleshoot CNC machining programs and manufacturing processes. Improve cycle times, machine utilization, setup efficiency, and tooling performance. Lead fixture design, process validation, and machining standardization efforts. Evaluate and implement advanced machining technologies and cutting tool solutions. Establish best practices for CNC programming, setup, and process control. Support new product introductions and manufacturing process development. Drive improvements in throughput, quality, and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).
Automation & Advanced Manufacturing Identify and implement automation solutions that improve safety, quality, productivity, and operational flexibility. Lead automation projects involving robotics, cobots, machine tending, vision systems, automated material handling, and digital manufacturing technologies. Collaborate with controls engineers, integrators, and equipment suppliers to design and deploy automated systems. Develop business cases and project justifications for automation investments. Support integration of automation systems with existing manufacturing processes and equipment. Evaluate emerging Industry 4.0 technologies, including machine monitoring, predictive maintenance, IIoT, and real-time production analytics. Develop and maintain standards for automated equipment and manufacturing technologies. Continuous Improvement Lead Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, and Six Sigma initiatives. Analyze production data to identify bottlenecks and opportunities for improvement. Improve OEE, throughput, labor productivity, and process capability. Support value stream mapping and workflow optimization initiatives. Reduce waste associated with downtime, setup, material handling, scrap, and rework. Implement data-driven solutions that improve operational performance. Technical Leadership Serve as the plant subject matter expert for CNC machining, manufacturing technology, and automation systems. Train and mentor operators, technicians, and engineers on manufacturing processes and best practices. Provide technical leadership during equipment startups and process changes. Support root cause analysis and corrective action activities related to manufacturing performance. Partner with maintenance and operations teams to improve equipment reliability and process stability. Education Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, or a related technical field. Equivalent combinations of education and relevant experience may be considered. Experience
5+ years of manufacturing engineering experience in a CNC machining or advanced manufacturing environment. Demonstrated experience managing capital projects from concept through implementation. Experience implementing manufacturing automation and process improvement initiatives. Strong background in machining, tooling, fixtures, and manufacturing systems. Experience preparing capital justifications and managing project budgets. Technical Skills CNC programming experience (Mastercam, Fusion 360, Esprit, GibbsCAM, or similar). Strong understanding of: CNC machining processes G-Code and M-Code programming Tooling and fixture design GD&T and blueprint interpretation Robotics and collaborative robots (preferred) Vision inspection systems Automated material handling systems PLC fundamentals and manufacturing controls concepts CAD software (SolidWorks, AutoCAD, Inventor, or equivalent) Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and project management tools. Qualifications Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt. Project Management Professional (PMP) certification. Experience with robotics integration and automation deployment. Experience with machine monitoring, IIoT, MES, or digital manufacturing systems. Experience supporting smart factory or Industry 4.0 initiatives.
Ability to travel up to 20% within the US. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) Capital project completion rate Capital project ROI achievement Automation project implementation success Labor productivity improvement OEE improvement CNC cycle time reduction Scrap and rework reduction Manufacturing cost savings
Safety improvements Equipment uptime and reliability Throughput and capacity gains ⸻ Success Profile The successful candidate is a technically strong manufacturing engineer who combines hands-on CNC expertise with a passion for automation and process improvement. They can build a compelling business case for investment, lead complex projects from concept to implementation, and deliver measurable operational results through technology, innovation, and continuous improvement. They are equally comfortable analyzing production data, programming CNC equipment, evaluating automation opportunities, and leading cross-functional project teams.