Manager, Manufacturing Engineering

Crystal Group

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

JOB DETAILS
SKILLS
Alliance/Partner Management, Automation, Background Investigation, Capital Equipment, Coaching, Communication Skills, Computer Networks, Configuration Management, Continuous Improvement, Corrective Action, Cross-Functional, Customer Support/Service, DFT (Design for Test), Data Storage, Dental Insurance, Documentation, Documentation Standards, EEO Regulations, Electrical Wiring, Employee Retention, Engineering, Engineering Change Order, Engineering Management, Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), Genetics, Hardware Administration, Leadership, Lean Manufacturing, Lean Six Sigma, Machine Tool, Machining, Manufacturing, Manufacturing Design, Manufacturing Engineering, Manufacturing Management, Manufacturing Methods, Manufacturing Operations, Manufacturing Requirements, Manufacturing Technology, Manufacturing/Industrial Processes, Manufacturing/Production Testing, Matrix Management, Mentoring, Metal Manufacturing, Metrics, Operational Improvement, Operational Strategy, Operational Support, Operations Management, Organizational Skills, Performance Analysis, Performance Management, Performance Reviews, Presentation/Verbal Skills, Process Flow, Process Improvement, Product Engineering, Product Lifecycle, Product Programs, Product Support, Product/Service Launch, Production Support, Project/Program Management, Quality Management, Root Cause Analysis, Sales/Support Engineering (SE), Staff Development, Supply Chain, Supply Chain Management, Supply Chain Operations, Team Lead/Manager, Team Player, Technical Leadership, Test Equipment, Testability, Time Management, Tuition Reimbursement, Vision Plan, Willing to Travel, Writing Skills, eCos
LOCATION
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
POSTED
2 days ago

Job Description:

Job Title: Manager, Manufacturing Engineering 

Reports to: Vice President of Engineering 

Department: Engineering 

Work Model: Full-time, On-site – 10-15% Travel Required 

Schedule: Monday – Friday 8am-5pm 

 

Company & Benefit Information 

At Crystal Group, we do hard things – designing and building rugged tech and tech solutions that provide predictable performance in the world’s most unforgiving environments. As a 100% employee-owned company, here you take extreme ownership of your role and work and invest in your own success and that of your teammates. Together we use a zero limits approach to wow our customers. 

Crystal Group offers a comprehensive benefits package including: 

  • Medical/dental/vision insurance 
  • Paid time off 
  • Tuition reimbursement 
  • Wellness programs 
  • Participation in our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) 
  • On-Site Gym 

 

Job Summary 

The Manufacturing Engineering Manager leads Crystal Group's Manufacturing Engineering team responsible for developing, implementing, and continuously improving manufacturing processes that support the production of ruggedized computing, networking, and data storage solutions. 

This role provides technical and organizational leadership to ensure manufacturing processes are efficient, repeatable, scalable, and aligned with quality, cost, and delivery objectives. The Manager partners closely with Product Engineering, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, and Program Management to support new product introductions, ongoing production, and continuous operational improvement. 

The Manager is responsible for developing the people, processes, tools, and technologies that enable manufacturing excellence, improve operational efficiency, and ensure successful production throughout the product lifecycle. 

Essential Functions 

Leadership 

  • Lead, coach, mentor, and develop Manufacturing Engineers. 
  • Conduct performance reviews and establish employee development plans.  
  • Manage team workload, priorities, staffing, and resource planning.  
  • Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.  
  • Recruit, onboard, and retain engineering talent. 

 

Manufacturing Engineering 

  • Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of manufacturing processes, methods, procedures, and workflows.  
  • Drive manufacturing readiness for new product introductions (NPI).  
  • Develop manufacturing documentation including work instructions, process flows, tooling, fixtures, and production procedures.  
  • Identify and implement production test equipment and manufacturing solutions.  
  • Improve manufacturing efficiency through process optimization, waste reduction, and automation where appropriate.  
  • Partner with Product Engineering to ensure designs support manufacturability, assembly, serviceability, testability, and cost objectives.  
  • Lead Engineering Change Order (ECO) implementation supporting Operations, customers, and Engineering.  
  • Manage End-of-Life (EOL) engineering product impacts and change activities.  
  • Evaluate production issues and implement corrective and preventive actions to improve quality and throughput. 

Project Leadership 

  • Manage multiple manufacturing engineering initiatives simultaneously.  
  • Coordinate Engineering staff supporting production and new product introductions.  
  • Collaborate with Operations, Supply Chain, Quality, Project Management, Product Engineering, and Program Management.  
  • Support customer manufacturing requirements and technical discussions as needed.  
  • Ensure manufacturing engineering deliverables meet quality, schedule, and cost objectives. 

 

Continuous Improvement 

  • Lead Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives across production operations.  
  • Drive Design for Manufacturability (DFM), Design for Test (DFT), and other flow initiatives in partnership with Product Engineering and Operations.  
  • Improve engineering documentation, manufacturing standards, and configuration management processes.  
  • Evaluate and implement new manufacturing technologies, equipment, tooling, and automation solutions.  
  • Develop manufacturing metrics and monitor process performance to identify improvement opportunities.  
  • Support capital equipment planning and manufacturing technology roadmaps. 

 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities 

  • Experience leading manufacturing engineering teams in a high-mix, low volume manufacturing environment 
  • Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes including machining, sheet metal fabrication, assembly, wiring, testing, and production operations.  
  • Experience supporting New Product Introduction (NPI).  
  • Experience with Design for Manufacturability (DFM), Design for Test (DFT), and other flow-related focus areas.  
  • Experience developing manufacturing work instructions, fixtures, tooling, and production documentation.  
  • Experience implementing Engineering Change Orders (ECOs) and configuration management.  
  • Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, root cause analysis, and continuous improvement methodologies.  
  • Experience improving manufacturing efficiency through process optimization and automation.  
  • Strong project management and organizational skills.  
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to collaborate across Engineering, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, customers, and suppliers.  
  • Ability to work effectively within a cross-functional, matrixed organization. 

 

Required Qualifications 

  • Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related technical field 
  • Minimum 8 years of engineering experience with at least 3 years in management or technical leadership roles 
  • Demonstrated experience supporting manufacturing operations and new product introductions.  
  • Proven track record of successfully improving manufacturing processes and supporting production of complex hardware products. 

 

EEO Statement 

Crystal Group, Inc, maintains a program of equal employment opportunity designed to ensure that employment and advancement opportunities are made available to all employees and applicants on the basis of individual qualifications and without regard to race, religion, color, creed, national origin, disability, age, sex, genetic information, military status, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local laws. 

Offer Contingency 

All job offers are contingent on the applicant successfully completing the background check and drug screen. 

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Management reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties and to assign other responsibilities as necessary. Employment with Crystal Group remains at-will. 

 

EEO IS THE LAW

EEO IS THE LAW (Spanish)

Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision

Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision (Spanish)

About the Company

C

Crystal Group