Manufacturing Engineer
Why Join Oilgear
At Oilgear, we design and manufacture high-performance hydraulic systems that power some of the world's most demanding industrial applications. Our employees play a critical role in our success, and we are committed to providing a safe, collaborative, and growth-oriented environment. At Oilgear, you'll work with advanced technology, contribute to meaningful products, and be part of a team that values quality, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Summary
The Manufacturing Engineer is primarily responsible for improving and supporting manufacturing processes, equipment, tooling, work methods, and production performance for Oilgear hydraulic products. Approximately 80% of the role is focused on manufacturing engineering, including process improvement, production support, tooling and fixture development, manufacturing documentation, cost reduction, quality improvement, and new product or process implementation. Approximately 20% of the role supports product design and engineering activities, including CAD updates, design-for-manufacturability reviews, engineering changes, and product improvement. The position works closely with Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, Engineering, Maintenance, and shop-floor personnel to develop practical, safe, repeatable, and cost-effective manufacturing solutions.
Essential Responsibilities and Duties
Manufacturing Engineering & Production Support - Primary Focus
Provide hands-on engineering support to production personnel to resolve manufacturing and assembly issues involving processes, drawings, tolerances, materials, tooling, fixtures, equipment, and product performance.
Develop, improve, and standardize manufacturing methods, work sequences, routings, bills of operations, work instructions, and process documentation within applicable ERP/MRP systems.
Evaluate manufacturing processes and identify opportunities to improve safety, quality, productivity, repeatability, lead time, material flow, labor utilization, and cost.
Design, develop, specify, and implement tooling, fixtures, gauges, workholding, and other manufacturing aids that improve production efficiency and product quality.
Support machining and assembly operations by evaluating equipment capabilities, cutting tools, workholding, process parameters, CNC-related manufacturing needs, and production methods.
Analyze production problems and lead structured root cause and corrective action activities using methods such as 5 Why and 8D.
Partner with Operations, Quality, Maintenance, and production employees to implement sustainable corrective actions and prevent recurrence of manufacturing issues.
Support plant layout, equipment placement, work-cell design, material flow, and utilization of manufacturing space.
Evaluate and recommend new equipment, manufacturing technology, tooling, and process changes; assist with technical justification, implementation, validation, and training.
Develop manufacturing estimates, process requirements, and production methods for new or revised components using existing Fremont capabilities whenever practical.
Support supplier and process qualification activities related to manufactured components, tooling, equipment, and production processes.
Maintain accurate manufacturing documentation and ensure process changes are effectively communicated and implemented on the shop floor.
Continuous Improvement, Cost & Quality
Lead or support continuous improvement and cost-reduction projects focused on manufacturing efficiency, scrap, rework, cycle time, throughput, tooling, material usage, and labor utilization.
Use production data, quality information, observations, and employee feedback to identify manufacturing constraints and improvement opportunities.
Support quality and safety requirements by ensuring manufacturing methods, tooling, equipment, and documentation meet applicable company and regulatory standards.
Participate in cross-functional problem solving related to nonconforming product, recurring manufacturing issues, warranty concerns, and process capability.
Promote Lean manufacturing principles and practical shop-floor improvements that support safe, efficient, and repeatable production.
New Product Introduction & Manufacturing Readiness
Represent Manufacturing Engineering during new product introductions, product transfers, and significant engineering changes to ensure manufacturing requirements are considered before production release.
Review new and revised products for manufacturability, assembly, tooling, equipment, inspection, process capability, and production readiness.
Coordinate proto@type, pilot, and first-build activities from a manufacturing perspective; identify production issues and drive corrective follow-through before full release.
Develop or update manufacturing processes, tooling, routings, work instructions, and training requirements needed to transition products into production.
Partner with design engineering resources to ensure product designs can be manufactured consistently using available processes and equipment.
Product Design & Engineering Support - Secondary Focus
Design for Excellence (DFMx): Apply Design for Manufacturability, Assembly, and Cost (DFM/DFA/DFC) principles early in the product lifecycle, partnering closely with R&D and product design teams to optimize part geometry, reduce component counts, and ensure seamless transition from proto@type to production.
CAD & Engineering Change Management: Utilize 3D CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks/Creo) to review, modify, and validate product designs, tooling layouts, and fixture models; manage the Engineering Change Order (ECO) process to ensure design revisions are accurately documented and communicated to the shop floor.
Rapid Prototyping & Iteration: Lead rapid prototyping and engineering validation builds, bridging design intent with shop-floor reality to troubleshoot fit-and-function issues and iterate on component designs before mass production.
Provide manufacturing input to product design decisions, including material selection, tolerances, component geometry, machining requirements, assembly methods, and available production capabilities.
Support product improvement and engineering validation activities when manufacturing issues require design changes or product modifications.
Assist with engineering calculations, tolerance reviews, and technical documentation as needed to support manufacturing-related design decisions.
Project Execution & Cross-Functional Collaboration
Plan and execute assigned manufacturing engineering projects, including defining objectives, timelines, resources, risks, implementation requirements, and expected results.
Manage multiple manufacturing priorities while responding appropriately to urgent production needs.
Communicate project status, manufacturing concerns, technical recommendations, and implementation plans to appropriate stakeholders.
Work closely with vendors, suppliers, internal engineering resources, and other Oilgear locations as needed to support manufacturing projects and product transitions.
Stay current with manufacturing technologies, machining and assembly practices, tooling, Lean methods, and engineering practices applicable to Oilgear operations.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Technology, or a closely related engineering field.
Experience in a manufacturing environment through professional employment, internship, co-op, or other applied engineering experience.
Working knowledge of manufacturing processes, machining and/or assembly operations, tooling, fixtures, process documentation, and production problem solving.
Ability to interpret engineering drawings, GD&T, specifications, tolerances, and 3D models.
Experience or demonstrated proficiency with 3D CAD software such as SolidWorks or Inventor.
Ability to work effectively with shop-floor personnel and translate engineering requirements into practical manufacturing solutions.
Strong problem-solving, communication, organization, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
Preferred Qualifications
Two or more years of manufacturing engineering experience in an industrial equipment, precision machining, hydraulic, or similar manufacturing environment.
Experience with CNC machining, cutting tools, workholding, fixture design, assembly processes, or manufacturing equipment.
Experience with Lean manufacturing, process improvement, cost reduction, time studies, work measurement, or production flow.
Experience supporting new product introduction, manufacturing transfers, process validation, or first-build activities.
Experience with hydraulic pumps, motors, valves, fluid power systems, or similar engineered products.
Experience using ERP/MRP, PLM, or engineering document-control systems.
What We Offer
Paid Time Off (PTO)
Paid holidays
401(k) retirement plan with company match
Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
Health Savings Account (HSA) with employer contribution
Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options
Employer-paid life and disability insurance
Optional hospital, critical illness, and accident insurance
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Safety shoe reimbursement program
Safety glasses reimbursement program
Tuition assistance up to $5,000 per year
Scope and Flexibility Statement
This job description outlines the general duties and requirements of the position and is not intended to be all-inclusive. Responsibilities may change or be added based on business needs.
Equal Employment Opportunity and Accommodation Statement
The Oilgear Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
The Oilgear Company is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable state laws. Applicants or employees requiring accommodation may contact Human Resources.
Employment Status Statement
Employment with The Oilgear Company is at-will. This means that either the employee or The Oilgear Company may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause or notice, in accordance with applicable law. Nothing in this job description or any other Company document should be interpreted as a contract of employment, an offer of continued employment, or a guarantee of employment for any specific duration.
