Manufacturing Engineer

Job Title: Manufacturing Engineer (Welding exp)

Location: Onsite Dubuque IA

Contract: 24+ months with possibility of extensions

Job Description

Job Title: Contingent Engineer – Manufacturing & Quality Support (3rd Shift)

Shift Details

• 3rd Shift: 10:00 PM – 6:00 AM
• Schedule: Sunday – Thursday
• Safety Requirement: Metatarsal footwear required from Day 1
• Work Type: On-site

Position Summary

The Contingent Engineer – Manufacturing & Quality Support provides on-site engineering and quality coverage during 3rd shift to ensure uninterrupted production, adherence to quality standards, and effective communication of critical issues to 1st-shift engineering and leadership teams. This role supports Fabrication (D155/D156) and D157 areas with hands-on troubleshooting, quality containment, and operational continuity.

Key Responsibilities

1. Production Support

• Monitor Fabrication D155/D156 and D157 operations to ensure compliance with standard work and safety protocols.
• Support operators with troubleshooting equipment, tooling, and process-related issues.
• Address operator concerns during new splits, process changes, and ramp-up activities.
• Verify proper functionality of tooling and fixtures; escalate abnormalities or failures as needed.
• Maintain production continuity while skilled trades execute departmental projects.

2. Quality Assurance

• Perform in-process quality checks and audits per established guidelines.
• Document non-conformances and initiate containment actions for identified defects.
• Coordinate with the Quality team to manage suspect material and ensure proper disposition.
• Ensure compliance with manufacturing standards, weld requirements, and inspection criteria.

3. Process & Continuous Improvement

• Identify opportunities to improve ergonomics, safety, productivity, and process flow during 3rd-shift operations.
• Capture operator feedback and communicate improvement ideas and concerns to 1st-shift engineering teams.
• Support implementation of process updates and validate changes on the shop floor.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Weld Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Quality Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• Experience in a manufacturing environment, preferably in fabrication, welding, or assembly.
• Strong problem-solving and hands-on troubleshooting skills.
• Working knowledge of quality systems, inspection criteria, and non-conformance documentation.
• Ability to work independently on 3rd shift with effective cross-shift communication.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work closely with operators, skilled trades, and engineering teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with welding processes, fixtures, jigs, and fabrication tooling.
• Familiarity with continuous improvement methodologies (Lean, 5S, ergonomics).
• Experience working in a union environment.
• Exposure to automated processes and robot programming.

Work Environment

• On-site support in active production areas during 3rd shift.
• Schedule flexibility may be required for shift handoffs or operational needs.
• Frequent presence on the shop floor around welding, fabrication, and automated equipment.
• PPE required as per area safety standards.