Manufacturing Engineer (Senior)

Title: Senior Manufacturing Engineer
Location: Elk Grove Village, IL
Hire Type: Contract to direct hire
Compensation: $40/hr to $50/hr based on experience
Benefits: As a contract employee of Sterling, you are eligible to receive a Full Employee Benefits Package that includes paid time off, paid holidays, 3 medical plans to choose from, dental & vision plans, 401(k), and an Employee Stock Ownership (ESOP) plan.

• Develop and optimize manufacturing cell layouts, production workflows, and material flow to improve throughput, efficiency, and overall operational performance.
• Support the launch and operational readiness of a new 250,000-square-foot manufacturing facility, focusing on establishing efficient production flow within manufacturing cells.
• Evaluate and improve existing manufacturing processes across multiple facilities to maximize capacity, productivity, and resource utilization.
• Apply lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement methodologies to reduce waste, improve quality, and streamline production.
• Lead structured problem-solving initiatives using A3s, root cause analysis, and other lean tools to address manufacturing challenges.
• Analyze value streams and production processes to identify bottlenecks and implement sustainable process improvements.
• Collaborate with production, fabrication, welding, and assembly teams to improve manufacturing methods and standardize best practices.
• Identify and support capital expenditure (CapEx) requirements for manufacturing equipment, tooling, and process improvements.
• Develop and maintain plant layouts and manufacturing process documentation using AutoCAD.
• Use Excel and other analytical tools to evaluate production performance, identify improvement opportunities, and support data-driven decisions.

• 5+ years of manufacturing engineering experience, preferably in heavy manufacturing, metal fabrication, or industrial equipment manufacturing.
• Hands-on experience with fabrication and welding processes; sheet metal fabrication experience is a plus.
• Strong understanding of lean manufacturing principles, manufacturing cells, production workflow, and value stream optimization.
• Experience with structured problem-solving methods, including A3, root cause analysis, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification is preferred.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD for plant layouts and manufacturing space planning.
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills, including the ability to analyze production data and support process improvement initiatives.
• Experience identifying manufacturing equipment needs and supporting capital expenditure projects.
• Ability to work independently, take ownership of projects, and drive improvements with minimal supervision.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively with production personnel and cross-functional teams.

• Join a growing manufacturing business with strong demand for its products.
• Play a key role in bringing a new 250,000-square-foot facility online.
• Make a direct impact on manufacturing efficiency, production capacity, and continuous improvement.
• Work across multiple facilities to improve operations and implement best practices.
• Take ownership of meaningful engineering projects in a hands-on fabrication environment.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.